Flyford make heavy weather of the Ashton game under heavy weather

 

It takes a hardy type to turn out to play village cricket on a dull and dreary Wednesday evening, away from home.  There is the question of having to get away from work at the appointed time, getting through any rush hour traffic and of course the negotiations with partners. 

 

However, Flyford mustered up eleven such doughty souls on a dank and dreary late July evening.  The weather was in a teasing mood.  Dark clouds and spits and spots of rain but nothing definite in terms of full-on rain or clearing skies.  Oh well, you must be stoic to play cricket and work with what you have.

 

Ashton under Hill is a very pleasant ground with a beautifully prepared outfield.  Walks messaged that the track was a little green and the toss meant that Flyford were to make first use of it to bat on.  It did look like a strong batting line up on paper.  Unfortunately the game was played in grass!

 

By usual Wednesday night rules, 20 overs a side, maximum four overs per bowler, batters to retire at 25.

 

On that basis you might think that Flyford top three of captain for the night Dan Miller, Steve Bevan and Mark Walker all making 25 and retiring would have put us in a strong position, especially as when Ashton would be batting the light would be fading.  This being village cricket it did not play out that way.

 

The middle order faltered with contributions of only 4 for Ash Rahman, 3 for Steve Nullis and your correspondent contributing with a two-ball duck.  Joe Allsopp and Josh Nullis tried to rescue the situation and were unbeaten on 14 and 11 respectively.  That took the Flyford 20 over score to 122 for 3, setting a target of a gnat’s whisker over a run a ball.  One might think that was a competitive score given the conditions.

 

It must be said that Ashton got to that total at something of a canter.  While it is a little unfair to pick out individual culprits, the fool behind the stumps letting through 12 byes certainly didn’t help.

 

In terms of bowling the pick of the crop was Joe Chappers Chapman with a very creditable 3 overs 1 for 8. Pete Holpin snuck in under the required economy rate at 3 overs none for 18.  Other contributions were Josh Nullis 4 over 1 for 27, Aaron Monk 3 overs none for 28, Steve Bevan 2 overs none for 21 and a cameo over from Ash Rahman one over none for 3.

 

So once again while the result may not have gone our way it was an enjoyable way to spend a Wednesday evening, made even more enjoyable by the delivery from a local foodery of sandwiches and chips which I must say exceeded my expectations!

 

 

Awards:

MotM: Chappers 1-8 off 3

Champagne Moment ; Pete Holpin run out

Thanks for Coming: Aaron, making up the 11

Tit: Your own correspondent for trying to effect a stumping from a free hit!  Well deserved.