142 off 20 overs was a steep target to be set by Rolls Royce. A half-century for their opener, with a useful innings from their number 3, were the catalysts for an innings that averaged over 7 runs an over. The bowling was opened by Jamie Stewart and yours truly. Jamie bowled well, and all bowlers in fact achieved respectable economy when faced with a dauntingly tall opener, who seemed to be able to hit the ball where he pleased. After eight overs Duffield were still looking in reasonable shape, but in the space of a series of overs in which the opener decided to lose respect for the bowling, Duffield saw their control on the innings loosen further. At no point, however, did Duffield let their heads drop, and the team demonstrated great character to actually reduce the run rate in the last few overs, while also managing to take wickets. Credit to Ed Witten and George Kelly for bowling tight last overs, which is never an easy task. All bowlers contributed well, and Mike Poyner was on a hat trick at one point, only to anti-climax with a wide down the legside! All that after I held on to a catch to give him hat trick ball! On the subject of fielding, few opportunities were given for catches in the early stages of the innings, and in the later stages such opportunities when given were grabbed by both hands (without, of course, snatching at the ball and dropping a dolly!).
Duffields run chase started with Bygraves and the author at the crease, and, if I say so myself, I think we did a pretty good job at defending our wickets against two opening bowlers who play to county standard. Although runs were not scored freely (apart from a few extras, thanks Jerry!) wickets were not given away, always an important consideration in limited overs cricket. Indeed, it was not until the eleventh over before the first wicket, that of the Captain, fell. Nick had been playing his shots freely, and after a series of boundaries was unlucky to be caught behind of the finest of edges, playing down the leg-side, an area in which he had enjoyed earlier success.
Sam Hamilton arrived at the crease following the departure of Nick, and after some resolute defending, starting enjoying himself with the straight drive. It was a fine knock, and one I was rather displeased to be watching from the pavilion, having been dismissed just as Hamilton was getting his eye in. I, for those of you who are interested, was clean bowled middle stump for 14. Moving swiftly on.
Our new overseas player Marcus Hjorth, bringing a touch of South African cricketing ability to the team, played very well and can be pleased with his early performances. Hjorth was dismissed for five, and Hamiltons innings (24) ended a few overs later when he was given out stumped, in what seemed a close decision.
After striding purposefully to the crease, Mike Poyner succeeding in defending the first three balls of his innings, before unleashing a formidable array of powerful shots. Several boundaries, including one which only narrowly failed to go for six, saw Mike close his innings on 28 not out (a score that will do his average no harm at all!), and thanks to a greatly increased run-rate off the last few overs, saw Duffield make triple figures for the first time this season. Poyner was partnered at the crease by Jason Lively, who batted intelligently and ran between the wickets well when Poyner fancied a quick single to mid-off.
This was a promising performance, and one that should give the team confidence for the upcoming tricky run of fixtures.
©Michael Williams, who was assisted in the areas of spelling, punctuation and grammar, by his brother Andy. Anything libellous, or for that matter just plain untrue or made-up, blame Andy.
Related Links:
Duffield u-15s Mickleover
Duffield u-15 vs Quarndon
The Young Guns
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