Sapcote v BOTWCC 2nd XI
Saturday 10th May 2008
A BRACE OF WINS FOR THE TWO'S
It was another fine Saturday afternoon, the second on the trot, and in Sunny Sapcote Burton's Second XI got to the ground, despite spurious information regarding motorway junction closures and much twitting around in traffic, with a spring in their step and eager to win the 2nd game of the campaign.
And they did too.
Having lost the toss and been asked to field, something they didn't want to do in the hot and muggy conditions, Burton's opening bowlers John Shipman and Chris Langham took to their task of ripping through the opening order with some considerable comfort. Lanky with his pace, height and away swing, Shipman with his age old, tried and tested, put-it-in-the-right-spot-and-they'll-get-themselves-out mentality. At the first change at 12 overs (Lanky only being allowed to bowl 6) Sapcote were a mere 19 for 4. Penton then joined the fray and typically gave nothing away and (despite calls of container bowling) had 3 catches dropped/ ignored by keeper and slips. After 8 fruitless overs (cheers lads) Morley came on and quietly (ahem) took yet another 4 wicket haul and all but finished the game. One wicket for Adam Archer at the death, backed by some good work by Tom and Sam Shipman closed the innings with Sapcote all out for 86.
Not bad for perhaps the most lethargic performance in these very muggy conditions. Fielding was woeful, Steve Neal, and nobody ran for more than a few yards without needing a lie down. Still, job done. Time now to wrap it up and go home.
After the snap, Burton opened unconventionally with Russell and Archer and the two played the sensible approach and, a phrase I've heard used on telly once, won the game to death. Neither played with great flamboyance but both did stay there and slowly take the game away from the home side. Eventually after Russell (27) and Archer (14) fell, the way was paved for the impatient Sonny Warne (26) to come it and have pop. And that he did. After a few wild swings and misses, he eventually found the bat's middle and played to all parts before he slapped one right out to the cover boundary and down the throat of the waiting fielder.
The best innings of the day has to go to young E E Stewart (14). The poor fella hadn't had a good day behind the pins and it would have been easy for him to have carried that mentality on through the bat. But no, we saw undoubtedly the best shot of the day, a very sweet on drive for 4 runs and 2 pulls through backward square leg for 4 from him too. Well done and lets hope we see a bit more.
The match's comedy moment came soon after, as Steve Neal was asked to bat. Yes, its always a giggle I know, but on this day he'd decided to take off his pads and have a lie down as Burton only needed 1 run to win. But a wicket fell and having got close to timing the whole team out for not coming out to play, didn't even face a ball. He walked out to the non strikers end, Ed hit the winning run and he walked back. Good work that lad.
Burton ended on 87 for 3 after 26 overs.
Job done once again and well done the Two's.
Next week, a tougher match against Burbage at Towles Fields.