Burton on the Wolds v Leicester Taverners - First XI
Sat 13th May 2006 - Towles Fields
Burton Overcome Cautious Taverners
Burton lost the toss on a grey and dreary day and were asked to take first use of the track. They got off to a flyer thanks to some wild bowling from Lee Smith (no, not our one, they have one too), who bowled 2 overs for 21 runs, including 7 wides. He was quickly replaced by Day, who then bolwed through the remainder of the innings, as did Jones at the other end.
After a steady opening partnership of 44 runs, Jones started to get in amongst the wickets, and Burton were soon in the mire at 61-4, which was effectively 5 down as Freestone had to retire hurt following an alledged tweaked hamstring when going for a quick single. Those of who have seen him run though were very doubtful this could be the real cause!
Then followed the crucial partnership of the match, as Aylett & Blount rescued the innings, initially with some steady batting, then opening up to add 80 odd runs for the next wicket. Helped it had to be said by some very poor catching by the Tavs fielders, who were emulating England in the number of chances they let hit the deck. Blount in particular benefitting from 4 misses.
Hood & Lang then added a few good late hits to take the score up to a creditable 185-8 at the close, though with the long outfield, probably worth over 200. Jones finished with 5-98 off his 22 overs, day 3-67 off 21.
The Tavs innings got off to a solid if unspectacular start, with tight bowling from Aylett and Lang never allowing them to get ahead of the game, After 14 overs, Tavs reaching just 23-0. Openers Wright and Smith eventually took the score up to 70 off 27 before Wright was dismissed by Hood.
Off 30 overs, Tavs had reached 80-1,
so were right in the game - Burton having been at 80-4 at the same point.
The combined talents of Hood & Peck though
ensured that Tavs could not push on as Burton had done earlier, and combined
with some less than aggressive batting from the Tavs middle order, the game
drifted off to a tame draw. Tavs managing just 33 runs in the last 15 overs,
for the loss of 4 wickets. Peck & Hood picking up a couple of wickets each,
and Aylett producing the ball of the day in his comeback spell, a slower ball
that completely deceived the batsmen to clean bowl him. Smith also bowling
a good spell, and again unlucky not to pick up a wicket.
he last 5 overs.
Overall a very good performance from Burton, especially when fielding with effectively 9 men, Freestone limping around at even less than his normal half-pace due to his tweaked hamstring, and Peck also struggling to move after having been struck on the toes while batting.
19-4 in points a good return, keeping Burton at the business end of the table. Their greater depth in both batting & bowling proving the crucial factors.
MoM : Jeff Aylett - Crucial knock of 42 by Jeff in the middle order, with the innings in danger of complete collapse, followed by an excellent tight opening spell, never allowing Tavs batsmen to settle and get up witht he rate
Ian Lang - 14/05/06
Full Match Stats available via the ECB site HERE