Match Report: Eversley (A)

Pyestock Continue Good Form

Making Run Chases look Ever-Slo Easy

 

Eversley CC Vs Pyestock CC

Sunday 24^th June 2012

Weather Conditions: Sunny and Breezy

Pitch Conditions: Wicket: Green, Flat. Outfield: Short, Damp.

 

Pyestock continued their impressive form, especially with the bat with a fifth successive successful run-chase, against an Eversley 2^nd XI

Once again however it was the ease and confidence in which the win was secured that will give watching captain Neil Butler and on-field stand-in Chris McGovern most pleasure.

Winning the toss, and fielding first, the Pyestock side started in control with Chris Heath and Greg Fanshawe containing the openers well.  The runrate was hovering around 2 an over for the first few overs until Chris finally struck, bowling Judd much to the batsmen’s surprise given the solidity he had shown previously.

Brooks joined Glaze at the crease and again looked solid, gaining crucial boundaries from the loose balls and taking advantage of dropped catches by Vaughan Newcombe and Chris Heath.

Jack Bromley replaced Chris at the end of his spell with Billy Leader doing the same at the other end. The batsmen seemed to take advantage of the change of bowling and tried to increase the scoring rate, but with only limited success, Jack removed both batsmen within 3 overs to leave the hosts 58 for 3.

Martin and Webb now occupied the crease and instantly struck the visitors as 2 very different kettles of fish. Martin looked powerful and lusty, while Webb seemed to struggle to pick the line and threatened to edge to the slip cordon almost every ball.

After the drinks break however, problems were incurred by the visitors. Billy Leader, sustained a leg injury chasing a ball in the outfield and despite starting his 5^th over, was obviously in some discomfort. To his credit, he not only battled through the over but took the wicket of Webb, predictably edging through to Vaughan who redeemed his earlier error.

A reshuffle was needed as Billy’s condition worsened; however a mix up between the two sides over bowling limits meant that the re-introduction of Chris into the attack was blocked and Chris McGovern now had a dilemma with most of his front line bowlers either finished or approaching the end of their 8 over restricted spells.

The introduction of Dan Heath to the attack from Billy’s end; while rotating the other end between Jack Bromley, Greg Fanshawe and Paul Heath proved a shrewd move. Eversley were unable to grasp a firm hold on the innings as the visitors’ superb ground fielding once again paid dividends. Only 1 further wicket was to fall though, with Jon Ford taking a superb low catch from the bowling of Dan.

The innings ended with Eversley 155 for 5, meaning a run rate of 3.9 was required for a win, and it was clear to everyone that the hosts knew they had fallen well short of what they believed was a defendable target.

After tea, the usual opening pair of Jon ford and Glenn Taylor started patiently against the steady bowling of Howarth and J.Glaze, the latter especially proved that the match was far from over early on conceding only 2 runs from his first 3 overs. Unfortunately for him, the 4^th over of the innings proved less controlled as Glenn pounced on Howarth’s poor length and took 17 runs from the over, putting the visitors in a strong position.

Howarths next over, the 6^th of the innings provided similar excitement, Glenn and Jon combined to score 8 runs from the first 4 balls before the beleaguered bowler stormed back, removing the fluent Glenn with a smart catch in the covers by Judd.

The removal of Glenn’s fireworks slowed the innings significantly as a period of solidity ensued. Jon looked solid if unspectacular whilst Jack Bromley initially found the going tough before settling into a solid period of run scoring.

Meanwhile J.Glaze continued to bowl excellently and was only let down by his final 2 overs, which proved expensive, however still finished with excellently economical figures in comparison with others around him.

Winter was then introduced to the attack and immediately picked up the wicket so sorely sought after by his predecessor, Jack Bromley swatted straight to mid-wicket for a regulation catch.

Unfortunately for Eversley, this was as good as it got. Jon Ford continued to support Dan Heath in the same excellent way that he had Glenn and Jack. Dan looked solid again, as he did last weekend and provided the catalyst to turn the promising position into a match winning one.

38 from only 24 balls showed the brutality of the finaly with Winter Howley and Spooner feeling the full force of the destruction. Jon Ford finished 32 not out in a superbly controlled and confident innings.

Victory was secured with a huge 14 overs and 5 balls remaining.

Next week, Pyestock take to more familiar surroundings and the idyllic surroundings of Peper Harow.

Eversley CC 155 for 5

Pyestock CC 156 for 2

Pyestock CC win by 8 wickets