On a hot and very windy day The Willows batted first. They made a good start as Mario Williams and Ben Dormer put on 51 for the first wicket. But this was not without some considerable luck, as they were put down behind the wicket no less than five times in the first six overs – with poor Dave Bull at first slip dropping four chances!
After the openers were eventually parted and with a couple of run outs, the innings subsided somewhat to 90/4, but Eugene Archer then played a very good and steady hand, well supported by Hugh Wright. Some strong late hitting from John Hamilton and Dave Doake helped us to 179/7 – a “just satisfactory” total on a very good pitch with a fast outfield, and against a strong batting line-up. Captain Ross Bayliss endured the fielding mishaps stoically, while managing his bowlers adroitly to ensure that the run rate never got away. Duncan Clayton, James Barringer and Kent Gillman bowled particularly well and economically (going for just 3 runs an over), while poor wicketless Simon Carter was certainly not remotely flattered by his final figures – as six of the nine catches dropped in the innings were off his bowling!
Clarrie’s XI started badly, losing a wicket in the first over to Ben Dormer, and limped to 30/3. Our two main spinners John Hamilton and Tony Gray then bowled very economically, and a wicket to each had Clarrie’s XI struggling at 60/5 at the drinks break after 20 overs. However immediately after the interval came a turning point, when young English batsman Liam Wood was dropped at mid-on off a well flighted delivery from wily off spinner Angus McLeod. Liam then proceeded to play the innings of the match, scoring 60 with a range of classically timed and executed shots – and with hobbling captain Ross Bayliss he put on 80 for the 6th wicket at a well paced rate, to get the target back well within range. Jim Stringleman then came on for an over which did the partnership breaking job, getting Liam out, however Simon Carter then came in to bat very well. But two quick wickets by Eugene Archer then swung things again, making the score to 172/8 in the penultimate over and setting up a tight finish. After a missed chance in the last over, Simon and Duncan Clayton coolly finished things off with two balls to spare. Mention must be made though of Hugh Wright’s keeping, which was of an exemplary standard throughout the innings.
Our two umpires did a top class job, while the catering and after-match hospitality were right up to the usual excellent Willows standards. I’m sure that if Clarrie was looking down on proceedings, he would have wholeheartedly approved of them all in his usual genial manner.
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