Hot sticky evening ends in disappointment for Flyford

 

It is the English way isn’t it, we complain about there being no summer, but when you turn up for a 6 O’clock game and it is still in the high twenties there are mumbles and grumbles!  Wednesday evening in Himbleton was indeed a hot one.  Maybe someone could arrange for the sun to retire not out at 25 degrees for evening games!

 

Flyford arrived (having circumnavigated the diversion) with high hopes, on paper a full side a decent mix of batting and bowling against a very much ‘social’ side from Himbleton.

 

That optimism was underscored when Flyford took the field to bat, with Dan Miller getting us off to a flying start.  S chanceless 24 form Luke Cooper-Sergeant and a steady 18 from Dan saw us 42 from less than 5 overs when the first wicket fell. 

 

While it could not really be classed as a full on collapse the middle order struggled to build on the great start. 11 for Simon Tibke, 6 from Mark Davey, a notable 10 from Steve Nullis (his first time in double figures) and very useful 18 from Josh Nullis kept the scoreboard ticking over but perhaps not as fast as had been anticipated.  Bop Foster weighed in with a very respectable 27(retired) before the two Will’s contributed a fine two tuns (both from the bat of your own correspondent).

 

A meaty 14 from Kieron Burns, who had stepped in at the last moment to complete the 11 and a premium 2 from Joe Chapman completed the Flyford batting effort.  139 posted.  It was a total that could be defended certainly.

 

 

However, a spark seemed to be missing in the Flyford fielding and bowling effort (and I include wicket-keeping in that).  We just seemed to be ‘off the pace’.  Kieron Burns opened the bowling and sent them down at a pace hitherto unseen at Flyford by this keeper.   Kieron did end wicketless from his 4 over spell for 21 runs.  Bop foster opened at the other end and returned figures of 1 for 32 from 4.  Josh Nullis bowled three overs 1 for 23, Joe Chapman 3 overs 4 for 25.  Will Chemis was the highest wicket taker with 2 for 18 from 3 overs.  Skipper for the night Simon Tibke contributed 2 overs for 9 runs and no wicket. 

 

Comment must be made though of Simon’s catch on the boundary at Long On, a very well hit ball that was I am sure in the batsman’s mind already filled away as a glorious six, was somehow plucked out of the air on the rum inches shy of the boundary by Simon.  However, grasping and holding the catch was not the end of it Simon had to put the breaks on while being aware that one false step could render all of his good work null and void.

 

Overall Flyford could just not put enough pressure on the Himbleton batsmen.  A frankly poor performance from your own correspondent with the gloves (12 byes and a fumbled run out certainly did not help).

 

So concludes the Wednesday night season, it must be said whatever the result or the weather it beats being home watching Coronation Street!

 

Awards:

 

Man of the Match:  Luke Cooper-Sergeant

 

Tit: Your own correspondent for a botched run out assist from Kieron Burns!

 

Champagne Moment:  Simon Tibke, for the catch described above.

 

Thanks for coming:  Kieron Burns, stepped in at the last moment and would be welcome back any time.

 

Duck!