Aldenham v Flamstead
Sun 14th June 2009
Flamstead 57 All Out, Aldenham 62-3 (Aldenham Win by 7 Wickets)
Sunday dawned on the Aldenham elite, the sun shining and the stage set for a glorious day of cricket. This was somewhat put back by news of an accident causing stand still queues on all major routes leading to Aldenham, so much so that at half 3 we were still missing Danny and 9 members of the opposition!
Finally at around 3.45pm we were able to get under way, the toss was won by skip Mike Ward (for the 5th time in 5 games!) and Flamstead were put in to bat, a game of 25 overs a side agreed due to time lost, 5 overs max per bowler.
Charlie
Munroe and Scotty Taylor opened up, Charlie showing good control and going past
the bat on occasion with no luck, whereas Scotty was a little more erratic,
throwing in a few full bungers and short pitchers. Charlie was taken off after
3 overs and replaced by Martyn
Burrows down the hill, and soon Martyn was swinging
it big. Scotty completed his 5 overs at the bottom
end expensively, but was unlucky to be on the end of the first 2 of 3 dropped
catches at first slip by Chris 'Baz'
Skip Ward bought himself on at the bottom end, hoping to reap the rewards of a pitch that wasn’t necessarily coming onto the bat, but had some good bounce. Martyn struck first, a swinging Yorker taking out middle and leg of the opener for 14. Mike struck soon after, a generous long hop cut straight to Vintage at cover, who then proceeded to show off his handiwork to Baz.
Soon wickets began to tumble, the resistance of the openers long forgotten. Martyn dismissed the number 3 in similar fashion to his first wicket, and ward the knocked back the off stump of the oppo skip, who played across the line. Martyn was replaced at the top end after 4 overs with figures of 2-1 with 3 maidens! Danny came on with fire in the belly and soon had the middle order ducking and weaving, expressing himself after a frustrating early afternoon in his Mondeo. A snick behind and and a straight delivery knocking back middle saw Danny earn two wickets, and Ward snuck in a stumping and a good catch from Dave Fane at mid off. Ward finishing with 4-8 off 5 and Morgan with 2-2 off 4.
The Flamstead innings was winding down rapidly and Charlie Munroe finished it all off with two straight deliveries, ending with 2-7, and Flamstead were 61 all out.
A first tea for the club from Scotty Taylor was greatly received, roast lamb sandwiches and all!
After much persuasion, Itty Haque was sent in to open with Mayuren Bala. Itty set off on fire, with 2 fours off his first two balls, unfortunately his third ball didnt quite come on and he squirted the ball to the greatful hands of point. Vintage and Mayuren steadied the ship, but Mayuren was unlucky to knick one onto his pad which the rolled onto the stumps after looking solid. This brought Baz to the wicket, and he started in apprehensive fashion. Vintage looked fluent however, hitting his trade mark pick up over square leg to the boundary.
The target of 62 was approaching in good time. Baz was however dismissed towards the end, caught by the keeper, and this brought Dave Fane to the wicket. Vintage and 'Herschy' (as he will be known from now on, due to his uncanny resemblance to Herschelle Gibbs) saw the Parish home, Vintage hitting the winning boundary. Aldenham 62-3, winning by 7 wickets.
Man of the Match: An excellent display in the field by the as, a team performance.