Scorecard

Great Waltham Cricket Club 1st XI v Rayleigh 2nd XI on Sat 14 May 2016 at 1 p.m.
Great Waltham Cricket Club Won By 55 runs.

Match report That's more like it. What a difference a win makes.

A sparkling 86* from Daniel Bloom was the highlight of a comprehensive 55-run victory over Rayleigh II as the 1st XI notched their first win of the 2016 season.

Asked to take first knock (4 tosses, 4 losses), Sullivan & Law quickly reduced us to a fragile looking 39-3. The pavilion was subdued. The desire to win has always been there but the belief has been lacking, particularly when we've been placed under the pump. At this stage of the game, you did sense that it wasn't just the result but the whole season that hinged on our individual and collective response.

Enter the DJ.

'Biggles' and Dan wrested back the initiative with a composed 4th wicket partnership of 58. Initially, it was Sam (57) who acted as the aggressor whilst Dan played a subtle yet vital support act as the scoreboard ticked over. They were both positive in all that they did - particularly their running between the wickets - stepping up the pace of the innings after a slow first 15 overs. Sam looked imperious whilst DJ was totally and wholly transformed from the previous week. Clearly a pre-match net in your jeans can work wonders for your confidence. Just as they were starting to take the game away from Rayleigh, Sam was castled. I can't be the only person who is now genuinely surprised, disappointed and feels somewhat cheated when he gets out... watching him bat is simply a joy.

30 over mark. 97-4. Back in the balance. Thoughts? 180-190 would be good from here. 200+ a possibility if we all fire... our eventual 227 was way beyond my best 'guestimation'.

With Sam gone, Dan assumed responsibility for our recovery as he stroked and smote his way to a quite beautiful half century with a demonstration of impeccable timing. This wasn't about 'guns' or brute force. There were no hoiks or heaves. No cow shots or cross bats. The ball was caressed to (and over) the boundary and guided into gaps with effortless ease. I make no apologies for waxing lyrically... it was a very special innings.

The bloke at the other end didn't do too badly either.

Blooma (37) upped the tempo and both Father & Son appeared to be galvanised by each other... You could almost feel the confidence and belief returning to the watching faithful. A quick cameo from Swanny (14*) and we went into tea with all the momentum.

The 'Call' in the pre-fielding huddle was clear. Work hard for the full 45 and give the spectators something to be proud of. Sam and Tucks both bowled with an unerring accuracy that we'd been missing the previous week. There were no 'gimmes', half-trackers or full tosses. C Frost (80) broke the shackles but it was the introduction of Duggers - again, bowling a naggingly consistent line and length - that got the breakthrough as Meyer (12) picked out Swan at backward square. Sullivan followed as Tucks held a good catch low down... all the credit to Blooma for his insistence on a mid-on.

Just as one Father & Son formed the backbone of our innings, the Frost's looked to pour cold water on our quest for a win. Chappy slogged his guts out for 8 long, miserly overs and in tandem with Swanny, the run rate was creeping up. Breaking this partnership was key. The game was in the balance but we had the runs on the board.

'Offense wins games, defence wins championships' is an oft-quoted saying in American sports. By attacking too much, we risked letting Rayleigh back in. Fighting that urge and spreading the field meant the scoreboard applied all the pressure we needed as the run rate continued to climb towards double-figures. Stopping boundaries was key. The wickets would come if we were patient.

Smart stumpings from Blooma thawed both Frosts in quick succession. The pendulum had swung and momentum was back with us. Baird, Patel, S Law and Green all departed trying to resurrect the run chase. There was even a direct-hit run-out for good measure. The final dismissal simply put the icing on the cake as the pavilion and Members Enclosure erupted in both cheers and applause. I'm still smiling about that catch now...

How the fateful words of one of our opinionated opponents had come back to bite him on the bottom.

A final mention for Blooma (Snr)... it was his leadership and skills behind the stumps that gave us an edge we've been missing and added considerably to the threat of our bowling attack.

The hard work on Thursday night translated into a comprehensive team performance.

Thanks to Cathy & Daisy for a lovely tea.

Roll on Goresbrook.

Skip

Ps. Great win for the 2's and a top knock from Tom Gore on Friday night for the U15's.

Great Waltham Cricket Club 1st XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
1nb 3w 4b 4lb 
for 5 wickets
12
227		        
Atul Patel b Sullivan 13 1
David Clout ct Lukose b Sullivan 0
Simon Richardson ct Lukose b M Law 9 1 1
Samuel Harris b C Frost 57 9 1
Daniel Bloom Not Out  86 8 3
Gary Bloom ct Baird b D Frost 37 7 2
Craig Swan Not Out  14 2 1
Matt Duggan   1
Mark Chapman   2 1
Sam Harman  
Lewis Tucker  

Rayleigh 2nd XI Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Sullivan10.0248224.004.80
M Law10.0420120.002.00
D Frost10.0149149.004.90
M Green6.003400.005.67
C Frost9.0168168.007.56

Rayleigh 2nd XI Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 10 wickets
0
172 (43.0 overs)		     
C Frost st G Bloom b Swan 80
Meyer ct Swan b Duggan 12
Sullivan ct Tucker b Duggan 2
D Frost st G Bloom b Swan 19
Baird ct Chapman b Tucker 0
Patel ct Chapman b Swawn 11
D Ox run out (Chapman) 3
Lukose ct Richardson b Harman 17
S Law ct Duggan b Swan 2
Green ct Harris b Harman 4
M Law Not Out  3

Great Waltham Cricket Club 1st XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Sam Harman9.0231215.503.44
Lewis Tucker10.0151151.005.10
Matt Duggan6.001929.503.17
Mark Chapman8.022600.003.25
Craig Swan10.003448.503.40

  • Umpire :
    Shared by players. Team effort.
  • Scorer :
    Shared by players. Team effort.