Flyford edge high scoring close run thriller

Report By Paul 'Scritty' One-Clarke

 

Ragley Hall. A building almost 400 years old built by the Earl of Conway... was not visible for Flyford Flavell's game against Alcester and Ragley

We did, however, enjoy the stunning grounds with their softly rising lee of tree-capped hills to the right of the pavilion which provided one of the best views in local cricket.

 

Flyford welcomed back Andre Delport, who had last played for us over 10 years ago. It was an absolute pleasure to meet up with him again.

With the warmest Sunday of the season so far, Flyford padded up to bat first on a wicket that was surprisingly dry.

 

Our skipper Joey Poole opened up with Simon Tibke against a new ball and some quality bowling. The close, humid conditions causing the ball to swing making expansive shot play a risky business.

 

The Ragley bowling was generally very tight, bringing the stumps into play most deliveries.

Few runs were on offer early with Joey being bowled by Barnes for 7

 

Mark Walker then joined Tibke for a partnership of 82 with Walker playing steadily, driving to mid-on with some power. Tibbers crafted a real openers innings. Watchful against the moving ball, then easing into his innings as the ball got older and he gained in confidence.  Walker retired Not Out on reaching his 50 and Simon Tibke was out for a well-crafted 42

 

Andre's return for Flyford was a reminder of his skills. Starting with some careful back-foot shots as he found his feet and scored a solid 22 off about that many ball before being caught and bowled.

 

This bought Matt Stewart to the crease, who opened his account with a 6. the first of six 6’s he would play. Benny Ware was unfortunate to be caught on 2.

Steve Nullis looked confident and scored a blistering 4 in his score of 6 and Josh Nullis managed 3 boundaries to make his own 12.

 

Boundaries seemed to be the order of the day as the Flyford score closed on 200 with less than 6 overs to go.

 

Paul Rone-Clarke joined Stewart for some late order biffing. The pair putting on 50 in 4 and a half overs as the pitch got flatter and the ball less responsive.

When Clarke fell for 30 off 18 balls Stewart was joined by Aaron monk for the last 5 balls. A few hectic "yes..no" interludes as the pair scrambled the last few runs, Matty finishing on 84 not out, to give Flyford an impressive looking 278 for 8 off their 40 overs.

 

The Alcester and Ragley innings was played on a pitch that had gone from dry to "bone like". The ball, after the bashing it had taken in the first innings had the qualities of a twice used teabag. Flyford were in for a challenge despite the seemingly high score on the board

 

The bowling was opened by Aaron Monk and Paul Rone-Clarke. The Alcester and Ragley opening batsmen set about chasing down the score. After 10 overs they had made a very solid 86 for no wicket before Monk, bowling straight and mixing his pace (maybe deliberately...maybe not) managed 2 wickets in 2 balls to bring the game back to an even keel. One of his wickets via a “behind the head” one-handed catch by Mark Walker keeping wicket.

 

However, Alcester and Ragley opener Rob Stanley was still there, and was looking ominously good. Having batted for the full 50 overs the previous day's league match, it was fair to say he had his eye in.  Stanley played a very dominant role in his partnership with their number 4 Moulson. A partnership of 56 of which Moulson scored 7.

He then went about dominating partnerships with the alliterative named middle order of Biddle, Bean and Bhargava. Those 3 managing to score 24 combined to Stanley's 70+ in the middle overs.

 

The game was getting close, and the heat and weariness in the Flyford players was taking a toll. Tempers frayed a little. So did the ball, by now it was very soft and seamless with deep scratches and flakes of loose leather. Combined with the concrete road of a pitch now offering nothing to the bowler.

Keeping Stanley off strike was proving to be a good tactic. Allowing him the single early in the over  or allowing his partner a single late in the over to keep strike was a tactic that worked time and again.

The ball might have been tired, but Joey Poole wasn’t. He bowled an extremely tight 8 over spell. Going for only 27 runs and taking a wicket. In the context of this run-fest of a day that contribution was invaluable to the Flyford cause.

 

Cool heads prevailed, despite a not out decision that was disputed ...by the batsman Stanley?! "I under-edged that, I should be out" he told us. Flyford always had some control.

(Writer’s note: The notion that maybe he could walk if he knew he was out, didn't seem to cut much ice)

Unfortunately, this last incident clouded the last 15 minutes of the game. Simon Tibke bowled extremely well despite his long batting vigil and hours in the field to contain a subdued Stanley who finished 137 not out, off about 100 balls.

 

This writer's take aways?

Tight wide calls in the first innings might come back and haunt you in the second. It was a fair call. But a bit on the "league" side?

Walks retiring not out possibly made more of a game of it.

If the opposition don't provide a decent ball for the second innings. Maybe we should take our own?  

A great match. Despite both the pitch and ball conditions favouring the home side. Flyford earned their 8 run win.

 

• Man of The Match: Matty Stewart for a very rapid 84 and 1 for 22 with the ball
• Champagne moment:  An excellent one handed catch my Mark Walker of the bowling of Aaron Monk
• Tit: Aaron Monk for blowing a fuse at the opposition.
• Thanks for coming: Sarah Poole for playing diplomat off the pitch while tempers were frayed on it. Shared with Andre Delport. A real Flyford Alumni returning to play after more than 10 years for us.