CURDRIDGE vs CADNAM II's - 25th May 2024
The sun was shining on a resplendent Reading Room Lane as Cadnam were the visitors for another top of the table clash between two unbeaten sides. Thanks again to Mr Field and his band of eager helpers who had delivered another fine looking deck for the athletes to enjoy.
There were a few changes from last weeks side with Skipper and Alan returning from their hols, Stu Hilman making his seasons debut and the long awaited return of Steve ‘Monster’ Turner after a 5 year hiatus running a wellness retreat on the outskirts of Bangkok.
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Coin went up and the streak continued albeit Skipper still got what he wanted as the Curdridge lads were invited to have a bat.
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If it ain’t broke then don’t try and fix it was the mantra as Rob and Dom strode to the middle and immediately tucked into the opening bowling, keeping out the straight ones and smashing the bad balls.
Fifty partnership came and went and for the second consecutive home game Skipper was sat with his pads still on at drinks.
By now run machine reborn Dom had passed 50, and Rob wasn’t far behind as the second hundred partnership of the season was delivered.
The breakthrough finally came following a DRS review which showed Dom had lifted his foot enough for the lightning keeper to whip off the bails. Another well made 65 runs for Mr Quincey.
Rob was joined by Skipper, now suffering a serious case of pad-rash (makes a change to the normal rashes!), and he attempted to move the score on without checking the pace of the pitch as he lobbed one up to end a short lived stay.
Jack then bounced to the crease, and following the advice of Andy P, built his innings steadily, with Rob finding runs with ease at the other end.
Rob passed a well earned fifty that comprised a fine array of shots, anchoring the innings and Jack then pressed the accelerator with his trademark six into the scout hut.
The scoreboard rattled on and was approaching 200 before Rob finally fell for an awesome 67 - well batted sir!
Craig marched to the middle and supported Jack in some late over biff to get us up to 207 with Jack in jug avoidance territory on 49no.
Punters best spread was the devoured by all and the machine started in the field.
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New boys Hilman and Turner started up, and it wasn’t long before there was a breakthrough as the dangerous looking opening bat gently lobbed back a simple caught and bowled to Stu. Well that was what should have happened but unfortunately there was a case of crocodile hands as the change was turfed.
The opening partnership passed 50 at a rapid rate so Skipper shuffled the deck and Sammy was introduced. The magician soon had the ball on a string and trapped the opener right in front.
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The runs continued to flow though and it took a super catch from Dom in the gully to deliver the next victim for Sammy before the master finally dispatched the well set opener for 68 runs, courtesy of a few changes gifted to him by the Curdridge butterfingers.
The game was on though and Cadnam continued to keep ahead of the required rate, Skipper needed a breakthrough to apply the brakes so he turned back to the Hilman and Turner show, and following a few more false starts (dropped catches), skipper pouched one in the deep, then another on top of the hill to break through the middle order, a wicket apiece for the openers.
By now only 60 runs were needed with still 5 wickets in hand, and with plenty of overs left the game was slipping away.
Cometh the hour then cometh the man as Punter joined the attack and immediately started hooping the ball round corners, and in his own words bowling the greatest ball ever to make another breakthrough, and with Hilman showing he could take a caught and bowled it was still game on.
The 38th over saw Curdridge move to the brink of victory as Punter snared two more victims to leave the visitors 9 down with still 15 runs to get.
The masses were on the edge of their seats as the runs still flowed, and near misses arose and the equation for the last over was 5 runs needed or one wicket.
Mike Punt, now bowling like Dale Steyn, was the man with destiny in his hands, but sadly it wasn’t quite to be for the Machine as Cadnam scrambled over the line with 3 balls left.
Gutted faces all round as it was one we let get away, but it was an awesome game to be a part of and the fight shown to keep us in the game until the last few balls will stand us in good stead for the remainder of the season.
Man of the Match
Dom with another bucket of runs, Sammy, Punter and Hilman with 3 wickets each and Jack biffing all make solid claims, but the anchor was Rob with a superb knock cementing his place at the top of the order, taking the award this week.
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Champagne Moment
Back to back 100 partnerships for Rob and Dom at Reading Room Lane is certainly worthy of the bubbles this week
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Donut of the Day
Catches win matches so the following are in detention this week: Hilman, Childs, Acaster, Lee, and there is a good case for a few more for not getting close when the ball spiralled upwards.
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Next Week: A tough one, away at Easton Martyr - 1pm start followed by a chippy dinner!