Player challenged Flyford cruise to comfortable win at Fladbury
On a day when many sides were struggling to put out a side Flyford and Fladbury found themselves left high and dry, like to two blushing brides left at the altar, after their respective fixture were cancelled due to the opposition being unable to raise a team.
Yet they found solace in each other’s presence and came together for a Sunday sojourn, albeit that Flyford were a little short of players fielding only 9.
The conditions were perfect with the forecast set fair to allow a full 40 overs per side.
Before a ball was bowled the game was notable as it saw the captaincy debut of Mark Davy. This correspondent tips his hat to anyone is willing to step up and take responsibility.
As his first act as skipper Mark won the toss and invited Fladbury to have first use of the wicket, with messers Holpin and Monk to open the bowling.
It must reported, with I hope not too much surprise evident in the writing that Flyford have of late become a tight bowling and fielding side. Indeed Aaron ‘Azzer’ Monk drew blood in his very first over by use of the caddish ruse which involves bowling a deliberate wide from the very first ball in order to discombobulate the batsman into a state of confusion when a seventh ball is bowled. A direct hit on middle stump had the Fladbury opener trudging back to the hutch.
Wickets did not so much clatter but did fall with a regularity certainty of the Tories poll ratings. The fielding also was attentive and committed with only one catching chance going down, which really should have been taken behind the stumps.
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At drinks Fladbury had been restricted in their scoring and must have been hoping to step up their scoring rate in the second half of the innings.
After drinks the bowling highlights were provided by Paul ‘Scritty’ Clarke, who, bowling very much the same style that he has all season for few wickets, picked up a very commendable 4 wickets for 7 from 8 overs 5 of which were maidens. Cricket can be a very cruel and fickle mistress can’t she?
Praise is due to all the bowlers as they stuck as doggedly to the agreed approach of bowl tight and not give anything away. As few surprises in Flyford bowling these days as there are surprises in the Labour manifest. Keep putting it on a line and length, make the batsmen work for their runs and wickets will inevitably fall.
Mention in dispatches due to Aaron Monk 8 overs no maidens 2 for 21, Pete Holpin 8 overs 1 maiden 2 for 24, Joey Poole 7 overs 4 maidens 2 for 17. Also thanks is due to Dickson and Andy Ward stepping in last minute, Andy restricted to only two over no wicket for 5 and Dickson who from your correspondents view behind the stumps deserved a better return that 6 over none for 29. Unfortunately for Dickson he did come up against Fladbury’s only real biffer!
Mention also of one over from Walks bowling leg spin who managed to turn two balls in almost Warnean style.
Having taken the final Fladbury wicket on the last ball a target of 108 was posted, and tea was taken.
While there had been a few remarks about ‘getting on with it as the footie starts at eight’, Flyford’s openers Joey Poole and Scritty Clarke were not to be rushed and set about blunting the Fladbury opening attack, looking untroubled until Scritty gave up a very catchable chance and was dismissed for 3. This brough Skipper Mark Davy to the wicket who chipped in with a very handy 13 and got the scoreboard ticking over. His departure put Flyford at 35 for 2 after 12 overs.
At the other end J. Poole was as watchful and immovable as ever and when joined at the wicket by Walks by drinks they had mover on to 69 for 2, so only 39 to get and 20 overs to do it.
Post drinks saw Flyford sailing to victory with the serenity of w swan on the Severn, indeed such was the level of comfort that Walks voluntarily retired on 36 not out to offer Andy Ward a chance in the middle. Now, far be it from me to turn all Lady Whistledown and start spreading rumours around Flyford society, but there were a few who felt that this act of generosity may just have been tinged by a smidge of half an eye to the averages. As ever your correspondent looks only for the best of human nature in all village cricketers so the benefit of doubt must in my view be afforded to Mr Walker.
A word about young Andy Ward, at only 14 he took his full place in the team bowled well until injury prevented more overs and showed some stylish shots with the bat including a cracking shot for four to score the winning runs. Good to see youngsters coming though into the game, try as we might us old farts will not be around for ever.
So, victory was secured for Flyford with a comfortable 8 wickets in hand (if you count the non-existent ten and eleven with a very comfortable 11 over still in the bank.
What could have been a cricketless Sunday therefore turned into a very enjoyable afternoon, full credit must be given to Fladbury for a very warm and hospitable welcome and for taking part in a game abundant with the precious spirit of the village game. It is sheer joy to leave all the noise of a modern world behind for a few hours and almost step back in time in a setting and with an attitude that could hail from many decades ago.
Awards
Man of the Match : Scritty for his fine bowling performance
Tit: Aaron for the weirdest ball of the day
Champagne Moment: Dickson for a splendid low down catch
Thanks for coming: Ash for being down as coming all week and not turning up!
