Match report
The 2nd placed 2s took on 7th placed Ahmadiyya CC in a league fixture at the world-famous Hollies.
It was a gloomy day, the clouds were overcast, perfect for swing bowlers such as Tom and Giordy.
Tom won the toss and decided to bat, a good decision as the Hollies is a flat track perfect for batsmen to put in the runs.
Michael Ainslie and Charlie Evans opened the batting, taking the shine off the ball and playing test cricket. Charlie, who was getting his eye in, played a magnificent cover drive for 4 and got a couple of quick singles before he was caught playing an adventurous shot. Unlucky for Charlie as he was looking good and we as a team know he can get runs, the Plough on 21-1 but still looking positive.
Not too long after l, Michael got run out putting us on 38-2. Credit to Michael for putting on 21 runs as an opener, way better than most of the England openers in the last five years (Bazza get on the phone).
Will Curtis came in, got three runs, then jammed at the crease for LBW, unfortunate another batsman that can get runs taken out by a good ball.
The Plough on 41-3, looking a bit shaky but still more stable than Boris’ government.
Next in was Rehan Raees, on the form of his life after getting 62 last Saturday for the 2s and hoping to get another half century at least, again he looked good, tried to build an innings with Hanzi but disaster.
Hanzi hit a late cut straight to backwards point and tried to run a suicidal single, to which he was run out. An enquiry happened between Rehan and Hanzi and whether it was the right call, Rehan in his defence didn’t want to run as he knew it was suicide, but we’ll need Sue Gray to write a report on that run out.
The score is now on 46-4. To most people the game is truly done but Rehan and Ben Hamilton pushed the score to 96 until Rehan got caught.
In came Alex Webster! What a batsman, hitting 4’s and 6’s for fun. Him and Ben Hamilton putting on a partnership of 132, with Alex scoring 75 and Ben scoring 68.
What a performance by the two pushing our total to 228 before they lost their wicket.
Skipper Tom Lonnen came in for a quick cameo with Harry Davies as well starring in a quick cameo with the bat.
With 228 set on the board, the Plough was set a task to bowl out Ahmadiyya at the Hollies!
Tom Lonnen and Damon Greeney opened the bowling. Tom as usual taking the first wicket in the match with a standard catch from Ben Hamilton behind the stumps (some say he’s the best keeper outside of professional cricket).
The game started well but flattened a bit, so in came Giordy and Harry to try and get some wickets. Disaster, both going for a few runs and not having the best day at the office. We know of their capabilities in taking wickets but sometimes in life it’s not always your day.
The game now on 140-1, The Plough looked a bit lost. Looking for new ideas, so we decided to get some part-time bowlers to have a go in turning their arm. Other batsmen were tried such as Michael Ainsle and Alex Webster (who bowls great pace), to no avail but still putting on a fight.
As Tom was bowled out the only opener option, we had left was Damon, what a bowler! He came back on almost taking a hat trick in his first over back. Tom Lonnen really wanted that steak but he’s going to have to wait a bit longer, but with that fantastic spell from Damon the oppo was now on 202-4. Game on!
In came Will Curtis, took a wicket to put the game on 208-5, some say Will should sell his batting gear and pick up turning the ball 0.10 from now on. He spun the opener who lasted 32 overs out, fair play to Muhammad Ahmad as he hit 55 maintaining a steady ship and taking the shine off the ball for Ahmadiyya.
The game was looking out of reach and our impending lost was confirmed with a four coming off the number 7 batsman.
All in all, a great fight from The Plough taking the game right to the end. Being bowling light didn’t help but we live to fight another day!
Giordy (please can everyone start spelling his name right) Diangienda
