Met Police Bushey v Ware (Old Hertfordians) Cricket Club 1st XI on Sat 03 May 2008 at 1.30pm
Ware (Old Hertfordians) Cricket Club Lost
The first game of the season was always going to be a tough one against a very good and well organised Met Police Bushey side who have risen through the leagues as champions of their divisions for the past 3 seasons.
Ware (OH) CC included 5 players making their debuts for the club. The captian won the toss and decided to bowl. Gavin Wren opened the bowling and was partnered by Jay Webster. Both made brilliant starts for the team and put the home side under a little pressure with Jay taking 2 early wickets. Gavin bowled consistently well all day for his 19-6-28-4 and Jay caused the batsmen problems in both his spells of bowling. Jay had a very difficult edge behind put down off the Met Police's skipper who went on to score a measured 77.
Darren Patel bowled beautifully as we know he can and took 4 wickets for his marathon spell of 16 overs. Troy Forrest bowled well enough to show he can still be a threat but lacked match practise. Manish Prakash bowled a little short of a length to batsmen already comfortably 'in' during the innnings. It wasnt a day for giving too many bowlers a turn but their opportunity will come.
Fielding, we fielded well considering we were late arriving and so no opportunity to warm up and we are playing for the first competitive time together. Both MPB skipper and umpire had many kind words for me regarding the high standard they considered our fielding had been in comparision to their experience to date. We can take a lot of pride from this compliment and look to improve even further in the next game.
Positives from fielding, Tom Thoday kept very well with two stumpings and a good catch off Darren Patel. Graeme Unwin took a good catch at Gully. Gavin, Jay, Darren and Troys efforts with the ball in hand was greatly appreciated.
Batting, Tom Thoday and Darren Patel opened and looked very comfortable with Darren top scoring of the two with 15 which included two very nice cover drives. Tom looked, from the sidelines, unlucky to be given out 'run out' but the MPB umpire. I thought both umpires had very good games and we would welcome MPB umpiring again.
Stephen Dinnes batted well in a difficult period with wickets falling all around him. Stephen made 16 before nicking one to the keeper. Graeme and Gavin showed some resistance and pride but sadly the rest of us have to hold our hands up and say we just didnt bat today as we can.
Postives - I am personally pleased that I was able to agree with Met Police Bushey's skipper at the toss to play the game in a good spirit and I think both teams honoured this.
Liam Dexter also made his debut for the club, umpiring is always a difficult role but I thought Liam was always in control and I am very grateful for his time in helping us play cricket.
Jay Webster - Jay was out a little earlier then he would have expected. Jay was due to travel in the evening to Birmingham. I said to Jay that he could leave to get there in time but Jay insisted in staying for the team.
A big thak you to Tom Ellaway for playing in the ones at late notice and to Jamie Don who fielded well, batted no 11 and scored most of the game. It is not unnoticed and much appreciated and you will get your chance !
So there it is - we can lose together! but we can win together. Meeting for next weeks home game has been agreed for 12 midday at Widford. Time enough to reflect on the things we didnt do right and the things we did do right.
Last but not least, the Ware (OH) CC fantasy cricket competition requires us to select a man of the match. We didnt do this last week so we can chat about it next week. Or I can kindly ask Liam if he could select one for us?
Met Police Bushey Batting
189 for 10
| Thompson |
77 |
Lbw |
| Hayder |
0 |
Caught |
| S Long |
0 |
Stumped |
| D Long |
74 |
Stumped |
| Soulsby |
0 |
Caught |
| Hamilton |
1 |
Lbw |
| Murphy |
2 |
Bowled |
| Burrows |
8 |
Caught |
| Cobb |
0 |
Bowled |
| Roch |
9 |
Stumped |
| Cuthbertsom |
0 |
Not Out |
Ware (Old Hertfordians) Cricket Club 1st XI Bowling
Ware (Old Hertfordians) Cricket Club 1st XI Batting
47 for 10
Met Police Bushey Bowling