BOTWCC v Hathern Old - Second XI

Sat 20th May 2006 - Towles Fields

Well, what was supposed to be a potentially great game of cricket with perhaps the most competitive edge we'd face this season against a Hathern side fielding no fewer than 5 former Burton players (the turn-coats) the day turned out to be little less than a damp squib. Whatever one of those is. The match sadly didn't last the distance and heavy rain brought proceedings to a premature close.

Of the match, Skipper Neal won the toss and not surprisingly elected to bowl at the Burton 3rd XI, er I mean Hathern batsmen, and things got of to a surprisingly interesting start.

Hathern had managed to bring in a new player this year by the name of Mark Brewin who made his intentions clear from the very start. This clearly experienced young willow-wielding maniac dispatched an unhealthy range of well timed balls to all parts of the field. Not to say he was a slogger, oh no. This bloke could play and was able to put the ball pretty much where he wanted to, and a great speed. This once apparently county standard batsman (why is he playing at this level then?) rode his luck once to often though and was eventually bowled on 48 by this years star bowler John Shipman, who at first thought he'd been caught behind (well done Pauline) but it turned out the nick was the sound of a bail being dislodged. Soon after, Shippo also removed the other opener thanks to yet another fine finger ripping catch from Mike Tagg who immediately left the field to have his wounds dressed. Ah bless.

Enter the ever-waffling Tom Hubbard. A typically slow start from the highly vocal tubster and one too many quick singles (you'd never believe it but Hubbard was actually running two's! With a lie down between balls obviously) he eventually ran out his new colleague and another former Burton 'oldie', Martin Moore, something that our Pauline was keen to make sure I put on this site. Little does he know that he isn't credited for the run out, its the fielder who threw the ball in. And I don't know who that was! Sorry to them.

A period of settled batting due to some steady bowling from Shipman and (a once again wicketless) Penton offered little in the way of runs for the visitors and few runs were added for around 15 overs, that is until Penton had gifted Hubbard a couple that were dispatched with ease to boundaries. Rob Morley was brought back on at that end. Thinking that Hubbard might be planning to stay the duration, we were once again proved wrong as he got himself out a couple of balls later as Rob Morley (at his most excited) cart wheeled his leg stump while Tommy attempted to hoof one over mid off. He dejectedly left the field on 36. Boo hoo.

Little happened after that frankly, and eventually the innings was brought to a close with Hathern having reached a modest 153 for 5.

After tea Burton took to the crease with Steve Neal and Mark Russell as per usual this season and things got slightly messy. The opening bowling attack of Adey Rush and Matt Caren (yep, two more Burton Oldies) didn't offer much and with a slow and unresponsive pitch some of the wild swings with the bat were slightly ungainly, hence both Neal and Russell appeared to be trying very hard indeed to give their wickets up. Steve can claim victory in that little challenge and he gifted and easy catch to, guess who, Tom Hubbard at mid off. You can imagine who was the happier after that.

Mike Tagg took to the crease and didn't really have to make any contribution since the heavens then opened. There was a bit of a stop-start moment as the players left the field for about 2 minutes and barely an over later down came the heavy stuff.

Game over.

The match was finally abandoned by the skippers with Burton on 36 for 1 from 14 overs.

A damp squib indeed.

Next week, nothing. The match has been postponed thanks to certain Walton players decisions on who plays when.

Match stats are shown on the ECB site HERE

Grant Penton 22-5-06

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