Another emphatic win BY TEN WICKETS keeps us top of the table and 2 points clear of Ipswich. Getting maximum points against Woodbridge has potentially given us the opportunity to lead right through the season. So let’s keep us there and use that psychological advantage.
It was a game of two halves; one a lot shorter than the other.
Some very hectic field changes to accommodate the Sudbury Captain and lefty batter, and some very boring play thanks to the same person. I was desperate for her to just once give it a good wallop but no she was happy to stodge her way through 29 overs for a grand total of 12 runs!
Ideally we wanted to get a good 30 overs batting in but there was a risk of rain later in the day and I didn’t want to end up like the England boys. (Imagine all those centuries scored and it was a draw? Strange game cricket.) So having won the toss I decided to field and aim to bowl ‘em out for maximum points. It didn’t quite work out like that as we got off to a slow start. The opening bowlers were playing their first game of the season so a touch of nerves is allowed but Sam and Louise soon got in the groove. Sam bowled 4 maidens in her 6 overs (awesome stuff Sam) and Louise bowled 6 tight overs, taking a key wicket in the last over. Caroline made a big impact taking 3 wickets and a catch which gave me a wicket. Thank you Caroline. Margreta made a truly original style stumping to give Emily a wicket too. Gen took a great high catch much to her own surprise and Labieba took a catch to hand me my second wicket. Thank you Labieba! Natasha was wielding that strong arm all around the field which really pushed some of the running between the wickets. Annette took a ball on the shin – it’s scary at slip eh Annette? (Get some shin pads from “chav world” to add to your gear collection.) But it all helped keep the pressure on and a significant contribution was made by our totally impartial square leg umpire Paula. Thank you Paula, for giving me the benefit of your 25 years’ experience in field placing strategy. And thank you Jill for interrupting me and Paula to remind us we have a leftie batting and we need to change over. Ooops. So Sudbury only managed 76 runs for the loss of 7 wickets.
The rain held off but it was a relief to see Caroline and Emily rack up 61 runs in 15 overs, including five fours from Caroline in her 44*. Disaster struck when with only 16 runs to get, everything stopped for drinks! Which caused Emily to lose her focus and she got bowled. Shame but Gen justified sitting around for 15 overs with her pads on by scoring the winning runs and protecting her average with a not out score. Well done team!!
Woman of the Match
Caroline hog-the-strike Ingarfield. A box of HOTEL Chocolat was hers to share with someone special. (Along with her pants.)
Other women worthy of mention Lois our 12th woman and Naomi, for running the catering, scoring, number waving and pom pom shaking. Also thanks to James for scoring (if he’s listening Megan) and all the chaps who turned out to support us (and drain the teapot just in time for tea.)
Next week first step on the steep ladder that takes us to Lords. Don't forget to sign up your availability for June.
Cheers
The Captain
Friday, May 25, 2007
Monday, May 07, 2007
WOWed by CAMBRIDGE NCI
The season has started with a Big WOW Factor - our emphatic 83 run win over Woodbridge and Old Woodbrigdonians! This gave us the maximum 20 points which puts us top of the league table 2 points clear of last year’s winner Ipswich. It was a fantastic game to get us started on our mission to win the league this year. WELL DONE – FANTASTIC EFFORT EVERYONE!
Batting
Losing the toss (deliberate tactic of course) gave us the opportunity to get a big total on the board – too big for them to chase down. 182 for 4 wickets was an awesome total. Thanks mainly of course to Caroline who opened and batted all the overs (68*) and Paula who came in at 15 overs to see us safely through (77*). So BIG thanks to them. (Hope the legs and knees have recovered you two.) Tiffany bravely opened alongside Caroline and had her first taste of scoring runs. Ivy followed her in and showed us just how quick you can be between the wickets to score her first runs. Liz did us proud with a great clunking 4. Fantastic to get a boundary first outing for us Liz! I added a few more runs and then at 15 overs we decided to crank up the pace and bring in Paula. It was great to watch the “Yoda-Ministry of Sound” team demonstrate how a good partnership works and all the text book shots. Fortunately for us, Paula’s strategy to get a 6 or get out didn’t work (she got dropped) and they put us in a totally commanding position at the changeover.
Fielding & Bowling
WOW probably thought chasing down 182 runs was a tough task but when they saw the state of our bowling and fielding I suspect they soon realised that the only team with WOW factor was us. But all credit as they plugged away and tried to make a game of it with good humour and spirit. Paula and Lucy opened the bowling and got us off to the best possible start with a wicket in the second over. With one run on the board Lucy took the first wicket with a great catch from Ivy. Then it became “The Lucy Light Show” as she went on to take 6 wickets in total from her 6 overs conceding only 13 runs and including one maiden over. (And the day before she had been back tracking from opening the bowling!!) Fantastic show Lucy – the best figures we have had yet by a lady in the club and might even be a record for the whole club!!
Our depth in bowling showed as Lois, Laura and Gen all took wickets and Tiffany had 4 good tight overs. Lois also got a good sharp run out of their key opening player. The fielding all round was amazing – we took eight catches!! Safe hands Ivy took 3 and Paula, Caroline and Lucy added to the tally. And you know what they say “catches win matches”. Naomi was as dynamic as ever diving around and taking it on the cheek if not the chin. Thanks to Margreta our 12th man for showing commitment and support.
Big thanks to Steve for scoring, and James for umpiring, carrying the bags, paying Tiff’s match fees and subbing me to pay the umpire. (Men are so useful!!) Big thanks Annette for coming to support. (Please thank your friend too Margreta.)
If you want to keep tabs on the points table this is the link http://www.twocounties.com/leaguetables.html
The Captain
Batting
Losing the toss (deliberate tactic of course) gave us the opportunity to get a big total on the board – too big for them to chase down. 182 for 4 wickets was an awesome total. Thanks mainly of course to Caroline who opened and batted all the overs (68*) and Paula who came in at 15 overs to see us safely through (77*). So BIG thanks to them. (Hope the legs and knees have recovered you two.) Tiffany bravely opened alongside Caroline and had her first taste of scoring runs. Ivy followed her in and showed us just how quick you can be between the wickets to score her first runs. Liz did us proud with a great clunking 4. Fantastic to get a boundary first outing for us Liz! I added a few more runs and then at 15 overs we decided to crank up the pace and bring in Paula. It was great to watch the “Yoda-Ministry of Sound” team demonstrate how a good partnership works and all the text book shots. Fortunately for us, Paula’s strategy to get a 6 or get out didn’t work (she got dropped) and they put us in a totally commanding position at the changeover.
Fielding & Bowling
WOW probably thought chasing down 182 runs was a tough task but when they saw the state of our bowling and fielding I suspect they soon realised that the only team with WOW factor was us. But all credit as they plugged away and tried to make a game of it with good humour and spirit. Paula and Lucy opened the bowling and got us off to the best possible start with a wicket in the second over. With one run on the board Lucy took the first wicket with a great catch from Ivy. Then it became “The Lucy Light Show” as she went on to take 6 wickets in total from her 6 overs conceding only 13 runs and including one maiden over. (And the day before she had been back tracking from opening the bowling!!) Fantastic show Lucy – the best figures we have had yet by a lady in the club and might even be a record for the whole club!!
Our depth in bowling showed as Lois, Laura and Gen all took wickets and Tiffany had 4 good tight overs. Lois also got a good sharp run out of their key opening player. The fielding all round was amazing – we took eight catches!! Safe hands Ivy took 3 and Paula, Caroline and Lucy added to the tally. And you know what they say “catches win matches”. Naomi was as dynamic as ever diving around and taking it on the cheek if not the chin. Thanks to Margreta our 12th man for showing commitment and support.
Big thanks to Steve for scoring, and James for umpiring, carrying the bags, paying Tiff’s match fees and subbing me to pay the umpire. (Men are so useful!!) Big thanks Annette for coming to support. (Please thank your friend too Margreta.)
If you want to keep tabs on the points table this is the link http://www.twocounties.com/leaguetables.html
The Captain
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