Fletching 1st XI beat Herstmonceux 1st XI

Saturday 16 June 2007

Toss won by Fletching who decided to field

With an ominous weather forecast and plenty of rain clouds around, the winning of the toss was vital. Ed Smith and Terry Lucas opened the bowling and it didn’t take too long before the breakthrough was achieved, Green going for 2. This was the only excitement for some time as the visitors went into their shell, scoring just 10 runs in 18 overs until Mayhew went for 3, caught be Russell off of Potter’s bowling.

Herstmonceux then carried on with their bizarre tactics adding only 13 runs in 12 overs as Wickes was out for 9 having batted for 27 overs. Lucas continued to toil away at one end whilst Potter was beating the batsmen with regularity. At last Stevens and Standen began pushing the ball around and taking many of the singles that had been available since the start of the innings. Standen in particular was savage when given width on the off side. Together they added 88 when Stevens ( 55 ) went, another wicket for Potter. Standen ( 42 ) followed soon after and the away team found themselves at 119 for 4.

The lower order batsmen tried to play “ catch up “ and in their attempt to give Fletching a decent score to chase, wickets tumbled – 6 for 20 runs. The away team finished on 146 – the pick of the bowlers were Potter 5 for 49 from 20 overs and Lucas 3 for 20 in 15 overs.

With the confidence of last week’s run chase against Crowhurst Park, both Hoadley and Russell set off in attacking manner. However both fell with score on 24. Then Randle went on 57 and the away team thought they might be in with a chance. But they did not reckon on Grant Horscroft and Dave Meacher. Both found the boundary with ease and thanks to a couple of dropped catches, they were able to add 43 for the next wicket and then Meacher ( 28 ) fell to a delivery from Walker that went under-ground.

Ed Smith joined Horscroft and between them they managed to add the necessary runs to finish the game. Grant Horscroft ( 55 not out ) hit yet another half century and Smith finished on 18 not out. Smith had the most success with the ball claiming 2 for 40.

Fletching 29 points beat Herstmonceux ( 7 points ) by 6 wickets