Match Report vs Llanarth 25 April 2010

God obviously doesn’t read the website as, although Jamie had pulled out of the game through injury, the heavens opened on us as the casual convoy headed towards Monmouth. Luckily the rain had missed the Llanarth pitch and what a ground it was.
Good flat wicket, smooth outfield, pavilion and village hall, score box for Andy and a friendly oppo. Not that friendly mind as having lost the toss we were put into bat first!
Cripes!!!!!

Jam and Easy opened up against a couple of youngsters one of whom swung the ball at some pace. This meant that Easy was in his element, edging, sorry, clipping the ball through the slips until finally succumbing to a catch behind for 2. Johnny was going well and joined by Tesh the score moved along quite nicely until Tesh was bowled for 6. Will next up and again the score kept moving along with the aid of a lot of extras before John was adjudged plum lbw for a swashbuckling 19.

Now the fireworks began as Steve’o and Will jumped on anything short or in Steveo's case anything, and a fifty partnership was posted before the young bowler worked Steve out and bowled a straight one and he left the field the last ball before drinks for 32. Will looked in very good nick and with Shandy scored quickly before Will finally missed one out for 45 to a thoroughly shocking lbw decision by John who should know better. Ahem.

After that the tail didn’t really wag as Shandy bowled for a quickfire 29 was followed back to the pavilion in quick succession by Frank bowled 9, JB caught 0, Nads bowled 0 , Dev caught 6 and Muff not-out 5 as the innings came to a close in the 39th over for a very respectable 191.

Tea was eaten and very nice it was too, the egg sandwiches in particular being lovely. A little bit of black pepper makes all the difference don’t you think?

Anyway, with Llanarth opening with two quality young’uns, a lefty and righty we had to keep it tight unfortunately Nads, opening up from the top end struggled with his line but kept at it and got the batsmen playing and missing a few times and with JB bowling extremely well uphill we thought we might have a chance.

The kids weren’t having it though and spanked anything short, wide, half volley full toss leg stump to all parts the righty looking very good until JB got the breakthrough bowling him with a beauty for 42. the score had rattled along and their hundred came off 17 overs. Frank and Dev took over and despite some swing were punished for anything wayward and at drinks it was 140 for 1 with the lefty retiring on 59. We think he did this because the terrifying Muff and tesh were about to be unleashed but I guess he just got bored.

With the pace off the ball the batsmen struggled a bit more but a large gentleman kept giving me whiplash and soon it was inevitable we wouldn’t get the wickets but soldiered on, Tesh getting one well caught by Dev and Muff with one caught by Tesh.
The coup de grace was supplied by the large bloke hitting Muff for 6. Llanarth winning by 7 wickets in the 32nd over.

Good game mainly in sunshine, good pitch, friendly oppo and a good tea made for a fun day out. We must do it again sometime.
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