Tight game but a loss to for the Wanderers

On a day that was bright and sunny, the outcome is bright for the Wanderers future. Full match report will follow as written by the talented Preston snr snr (as Samuel has now played).

A tense, low-scoring encounter for Wanderers’ first match.

SWCC Innings

It was a windy but sunny afternoon when Wanderers took up cudgels against the old foe, Brunswick Village for the annual Cris Neale Trophy.

Jamie called wrong and we were put in by Clive Hawthorn in a 35 over match. We had two kind souls in Chris Batten (he actually played for us in the early 90s), and Tom Sadler who had agreed to turn out to ensure we had a full complement (thanks, fellas). Jamie himself accompanied by the most senior of the Prestons strode to the wicket to attempt to get us off to a good start.

0 – 0 at the end of the first over (Jamie was no 2). Jamie creamed one through the covers in the second over, then creamed another one to the ‘keeper, and we were 12 – 1. Morgan came to the wicket, but was adjudged LBW on 1 and we were in a certain amount of bother. 17 – 2. Darren at 4 played a restrained innings, using his good footwork and strength to good effect, on one occasion lofting a perfectly timed 6 over long on. Meanwhile, Preston senior was bogged down at the other end, finally getting off the mark with an exquisite slash over the slips heads. Then the dreaded Agar came on to bowl (bionic hips and all), and finally Preston could stand it no more, and chipped a beauty to Jez Stevens at mid-off to be out for one of the longest 5s in memory. The score had however moved to 49 – 3 with some good batting to come (and go). Gwyllim didn’t trouble the scorer, slightly unluckily being very well caught in the slips (that’s not supposed to happen), again off the dreaded Agar. 49 – 4 and Tom in next. He played carefully as the situation demanded, but unfortunately suddenly Darren didn’t play as carefully as the situation demanded and was clean bowled by Arosh for a good 32. 49 – 5 and the only thing keeping our spirits up was Arsenal 1 Man U 0 (thanks for the use of the radio Alan). Gemma was next in and with the patient Tom at the other end, the score moved forward, until Gemma was caught off Arosh for 2, but having put on 19 with Tom.68 – 6 and Prash was in. The score reached 79 before Tom was caught off the dastardly Arosh for 20, all in boundaries. 79 – 7, Chris to the crease with nothing to lose, carrying his bat to the end with a measured 0 not out. Prash was bowled by Funnell for 5 then went back into the changing room to rummage through his voluminous (and indeed luminous) cricket bag. 84 – 8, Alan in next. Unable to stem the tide, he was out for 3 and we were staring into the abyss. 91 – 9, and Luke meandered to the middle – would we get the psychologically important 100 runs to make a game of it? No. Sadly, the phrase ‘didn’t trouble the scorer’ can be employed (yet) again and we were all out for 91.

Spirits were raised considerably by the excellent tea provided by Marie and Jez Stevens’ wife (apologies, I didn’t catch her name), and although we felt (rightly as it happened) that we didn’t have enough runs – 120 was the number considered to be enough to give us a chance - we did feel that as the pitch was NOT a belter by any stretch of the imagination, we might make life uncomfortable for them.

Brunswick Village Innings

Barton and Hawthorn opened for Brunswick and Hawthorn was clearly intent on getting it over quickly, striking a nice cover drive for 4 off Luke off the third ball of their innings. He then tried (and failed) to do the same thing again a few balls later, being excellently caught by a diving Morgan just in front of a relieved Tony Preston. 6 -1 and Arosh in at 3. He was another man in a hurry and with some stylish shots (and some streakiness at times), the score moved forward quickly. I felt from my excellent vantage point in the slips that we were not getting the rub of the green with both Luke and Prash bowling well without much luck. Finally Prash induced a rash shot from Arosh and he was adjudged LBW for a useful 21. 56 – 2 and Lee Maysey in. Luke came off to be replaced by a fired-up Jamie. His first ball was short, fast and prompted Barton to take evasive action (he ducked). The very next ball was fuller, fast and rose off a length. Barton could only parry it away and it looped over slips heads, where Tony Preston (somewhat improbably) took a very good one handed catch behind his head (I’m trying to be modest about it, but it was a stonker!) Barton departed for 27. 63 – 3. Jamie had twisted his ankle in the delivery stride and replaced himself with Gwyllim, and brought Darren on for Prash. In his first over Darren trapped Lean LBW. 63 – 4. Asanga was the next man in, but Darren’s pace and use of the famous ‘corridor of uncertainty’ (I love it), forced him to waft just outside the off-stump and Tony pouched another good catch (I’ve still got the bruise, so it must have been). 70 – 5 and we had a slight sniff of a chance. Jez Stevens came in, and with Lee batting very sensibly, the score moved steadily forward. Gwyllim was replaced by Alan, who induced a rash stroke from Stevens and Luke gratefully accepted the opportunity at deep point. 81 – 6 and only 11 needed. Funnell joined Lee and the runs were finally knocked off in the 23 over. A defeat by 4 wickets, but eventually a very good game.