2013 Match Report: Deando-Ruxley

Pyestock Denied

In Deando Drizzle

Deando-Ruxley CC Vs Pyestock CC

Sunday 12th May 2013

Weather Conditions: Overcast, Cool, Drizzle later.

Pitch Conditions: Wicket: Soft, Damp, Outfield: Green, Sandy, Slow.

Pyestock returned to Old Haileyburians Rugby Ground after a gap of 12 seasons, looking to extend their unbeaten start to the current campaign, and hopes were initially boosted when the hosts revealed before the start of play that only 8 players were going to take the field for the home side due to poor availability.

Things got even better once play started as captain Neil Butler kicked off in ruthless form, bowling Moore and Warner without scoring to reduce the hosts to 1 for 2.

It was in fact a rich vein of form that Neil found himself in as he produced 6 successive maidens to really place the game in Pyestock’s hands. At the other end, Chris Heath was toiling away, whilst keeping the runs at a minimum was failing to penetrate the Deando-Ruxley front line as Woolston and Goodall held firm.

As the frustrations of the slow run rate began to tell, more risks were beginning to be taken as Woolston began to attack Chris in an effort to post runs onto the board. Goodall tried to follow suit and only succeeded in holing out to Peter Harris at mid off, who took a good catch. His replacement Burns fell soon after surviving a strong shout for caught behind, found the safe hands of Colin Butler to reduce the home side to 27 for 4.

As the clouds began to darken, Neil Butler made a double bowling change by introducing Dan Heath and Jack Bromley, and the pressure continued initially, until Dan’s third over. Number 6 Ian Wyatt took control by hitting 10 from the first 3 balls before the fourth ball resulted in his dismissal, a huge swing and outside edge to Vaughan Newcombe at first slip.

At the other end, Woolston was holding firm and had settled in well to dominate the bowling. He did however have to accelerate as partners were running thin due to the absent 3 players. A well earned half century was brought up with the first ball from debutant Kevin Schiffers who had replaced Jack at the pavilion end. It was in the youngsters second over however, that the breakthrough was made. A frankly suicidal call for a second run resulted in Woolston departing run out after a good throw from the boundary by Jack Bromley.

Heavily drizzle was now falling and Pyestock were keen to wrap up the innings. Dan duly obliged in the 39^th over bowling Patel to end the Deando-Ruxley innings on 100 for 7.

The rain continued to fall during and immediately after tea, and despite the pitch taking the weather well thanks to its sandy consistency. The players did not retake to the field. Play abandoned at about 5:30pm without Pyestock facing a ball.

It was a shame as Pyestock were confident of victory as the weather did improve slightly as the evening continued, however at this early stage of the season and taking into account the rain that was falling at the time, it was a difficult decision to call.

Deando-Ruxley CC 100 for 7 (All Out) (Woolston 56)

Pyestock CC – Did Not Bat

Match Abandoned (Rain)

Pyestockcricketclub.co.uk Man Of The Match: Neil Butler