Appleby Magna v BOTWCC 2nd XI
Saturday 24th May 2008
What was expected to be the toughest test of the season thus far turned out to be right on the money.
In his last match of the Season (he's going on holiday for a hip replacement) Rob Morley won the toss, elected to field and the home team set about posting a total. And sadly with some annoying ease.
Lanky was slightly wayward in this first spell and even with Shippo Senior's usual run free bowling, the home team had reached 47 easy runs in the first 10 for no loss. It was in fact the 15th over before Shippo made the break-through and wickets started to fall. But still the runs came. The home team slogged merrily at whatever was thrown their way and a handsome total was being posted. Often, this kind of batting behavior results in wickets but, small boundaries and a bit of good fortune gave the Appleby youth a chance. But it wasn't just the home team getting the runs. A succession of horrendous foul-ups in the field and way too many byes slipping through the net (even with a long-stop) nearing 40 runs were added to the target that Burton were going to have to chase.
Excuses aside, Appleby Magna ended on 235 for 6.
Burton's reply was sound enough though, with excellent innings from Mark Russell (46), Sally Love (47), Warne (39), Lanky (31) and Shippo Snr (20). Each causing some twitchy bum times for the home team. But still the target was just that bit too far away to reach. A few too many over went by with no runs and the target got further away each minute that went by. After Creasy left the field for a blob, Rob Morley called for the remainders to batten down the hatches and not lose the match. Which both he and Ryan Walker did. The latter dead-balling everything until the last ball of the match when he slapped one out through point for 4. Nice shot too.
The 45 overs came to an end with Burton on 216 for 7.
A good game for the neutral, I'm sure, but Burton will rue their poor fielding performance and know that they should have won it had it not been for the runs leaked in the first innings.
Next week, home to Thornton.
MATCH STATS
BOWLING
C Langham 9-2-65-1
J Shipman 12-3-27-2
R Morley 12-0-50-3
T Shipman 2-0-17-0
G Penton 7-2-44-0
A Love 3-0-20-0
BATTING
M Russell 46
A Love 47
S Warne 39
C Langham 31
T Shipman 0
J Shipman 20
K Creasey 0
R Morley 4 not out
R Walker 7 not out
E E Stewart DNB
G Penton DNB
CATCHES
A Love 2
E E Stewart 1
M Russell 1