Fletching Cricket Club

Ten men of Fletching were hopelessly outclassed on a pudding of a pitch at Rotherfield. Missing four players from last week and with the remaining 30-odd players in the squad unavailable, competing away to Rotherfield was always going to be tricky.

Can’t remember who won the toss, it didn’t really matter. Fletching batted first. We stared very solidly but became rather bogged down…pun very much intended. Even so, with Clive and Chris Hartup at the wicket at 94-2, Fletching still looked capable of posting a vaguely competitive total. Paul Kemp looked very comfortable at the crease after an absence from cricket for a couple of millennia and was unluckily out to a stunning catch at square leg. The tail pretty much folded after this, the exception being a calypso-style cameo from Matt Lee…smashing the ball on the up through point and extra cover like he was batting on a flat track in Barbados. Tea was exceptional, as it always is at Rotherfield. They also had this behind the bar:

142 might have been defendable, or at least interesting, if Fletching had had their usual bowling options available and a full side…and if we could get John Baldock out early. He did drive airily just short of Matt Lee at deep point off Ali’s bowling…but he was on sixty-odd by then! Chris Hartup, carrying a dozen or so injuries, claimed the one wicket to fall, lbw, but Rotherfield reached their target with plenty of overs to spare.

Ali won the toss again! We invited them to have a bat, as we usually do. They scored a load of runs, as they usually do.

With Mayfield’s opening batsman in their normal Twenty20 mode, Fletching struggled to stem the flow of runs initially until the indomitable Chris Hartup got Tim Robertson to glove one behind. Tim walked immediately, which was good to see. Thereafter it was long afternoon in the field for Fletching in the face of a strong Mayfield batting line-up. Charlie and JJ in particular stuck with it as the long-handle was wielded. Matt Lee also bagged his first league wicket, Clive pouching another catch.

Then came the highlight of the day…Dairylea Triangles served with the tea…complemented with home made cakes from Mrs Fisk.

Fletching’s reply began at a decent pace, even if the majority of the runs were coming through no-balls and through third man. Trevor Brown looked in very decent form again as he was particularly savage on anything over-pitched. Clive joined Brownie and was awesome again, wielding that giant redwood to great effect. Ali and JJ both added quick runs and the target was still on with 5 or 6 overs to go and 4 wickets remaining, with about 40 required. However, Chris Hartup then top-edged a full toss into his face and had to go off to hospital for 5 stitches. Without their man for these situations, Fletching’s challenge faltered. Greg Pickard and Matt Fisk did manage 20 off the last two overs but the total always looked out of reach.

A very strong team performance from the 2nd Xl saw them narrowly miss out on forcing a deserved win on a glorious day at St James’s ground.

On winning the toss, skipper Ali Horscroft had no hesitation in having a bat. This proved a good decision as opening pair Fitzy and Brownie began piling on the runs almost immediately. Trevor in particular took a liking to the spin element of St James’ attack, launching a series of savage sixes over the clubhouse, the road and down towards Ditchling Beacon! Fitzy eventually fell for 40, stumped…or possibly run-out…it wasn’t very close! Brownie was eventually out caught for a wonderfully aggressive 93 from 85 balls.

The momentum of the innings continued with new recruits Charlie and Greg making useful contributions and Clive ending unbeaten on 46 as Fletching amassed 273-4 declared off 39 overs.

In reply, St James were positive for the majority of their mammoth 54 over innings, reaching 100 for the loss of only one wicket, brilliantly run out by Chris Hartup off his own bowling. This despite a hostile spell from Disco Junior, 0-21 from 10 overs, which had the batsman constantly playing and missing. However, the tide turned with the introduction of Greg “wicket taking deliveries” Pickard to the attack as a long hop was hit straight to Junior and then a leg stump half-volley led to a stunning catch by Andy Grant at square leg. To be fair, there was a lot of good stuff in there as well as Greg bagged a five-for on debut. Fletching continued to be very good in the field and when the 8th wicket fell, it became a question of survival for St James’ tail. For the last 10 overs, only 4 byes were scored as the fielders crowded the bat. Hartup yorked St James’ number 10 with 3 overs to go but they held out to close on 191-9. Fletching 19 points. St James 12.

Sorry if I’ve got any figures wrong there - no scorebook with me! Fisky.

With third place in the Division 5 table secured Fletching were looking to finish on a high against Robertsbridge. After being inserted the top order were looking to continue there fine run of form, with Andy FizGerald, Andy Horscroft, Chris Hartup and Ed Hooper having contributed the vast majority of runs throughout the season. Despite coming close on a number of occasions none of these players had managed to reach three figures and this was the last chance for the season.

Andy Horscroft came closest falling just 97 runs short!! The big four for Fletching scored just 5 runs between them and at 24 for 4 from 14 overs Robertsbridge were in total command.

Trevor Brown was the exception amongst the top order…the opener taking 103 minutes and facing 73 balls to top score with 36 (a score that was the equal of at least 80 according to the player himself!). Michaeal Cass, batting at number 6, was the next to reach double figures, but with some accurate bowling from the visitors it took Michael 69 balls to reach 13.

Steve Budd (17) and Ali Horscroft (23) took the score beyond 100, but they both soon departed and with the score on 117 for 9 and with ten overs remaining Matt Lee (22 not out) joined Matt Fisk (7 not out) at the crease. The pair rode there luck as dropped catches, missed run outs and a couple of fairly close stumping decisions went there way and they continued to frustrate Robertsbridge as they survived till the end putting on a valuable 30 runs in the process taking Fletching to 147 for 9 from 50 overs.

In reply Robertsbridge started slowly as Ed Hooper (1 for 44) and Chris Hartup (2 for 50) restricted them to a run an over for the first 10 overs. A spirited display from Robertsbridge saw then fall just four runs short, with N Moore (43) particularly impressive for the visitors.

View the scorecard and all the updated statistics for the 2nd XI here.