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Great Waltham Cricket Club

Scorecard

Goresbrook 2nd v Great Waltham Cricket Club 1st XI on Sat 21 May 2016 at 1 p.m.
Great Waltham Cricket Club Lost By 69 runs.

Match report A devastating spell of bowling by Forward (6-16) decimated the Great Waltham run chase before it had even begun on a helpful track at the May & Baker Sports Ground in Dagenham.

Asked to bat first, Goresbrook battled their way to 155 with useful contributions from Irving, Randuff and Hussain. The returning Ollie Fitzwater (4-17) and the promising U15 Jamie Carroll (4-15) did the bulk of the damage with 9 of the 10 dismissals all being caught. Gary Bloom with 3 sharp takes behind the stumps.

In reply, on a track that was livened up by a short shower, Forward removed both openers with just half a dozen runs on the board. A recovery of sorts briefly stabilised the innings before Forward, Jones & a Run Out saw 7 wickets fall for the addition of just 38 runs. It was something of an embarrassing procession.

The stoic and determined Harris (43) was the last-man out, batting with a grit and resilience that put his team-mates to shame.

~~~~~

Two days later and I'm still coming to terms with our defeat.

An encouraging bowling and fielding effort restricted Goresbrook II to 'just' 155. Jamie Carroll (4-15) and the returning Ollie Fitz (4-17) bowled us into a strong position at tea, well supported by both Chappy (2-19) & Swanny. Our catching is much improved on the last 2 years and Blooma put in another masterclass (stood up) behind the stumps. Hindsight being what it is, the 5th wicket partnership between Randuff and Hussain proved to be crucial in the end result.

In reply, Forward tore through our flimsy defences. DC got the sort of ball first up that no batsman wants to receive... least of all when you're trying to find some form. Atul feathered behind for just 5 but sitting at 6-2, I was still confident that we had enough in reserve to see us through. And it was possibly that very mindset that was our downfall.

We all thought 'someone' would get the runs. 'Someone' will stick around with Sam. 'Someone' will see it through. In looking for someone else to do the job, we all failed to take the responsibility ourselves.

From 29-2 we collapsed to 67-9. And the game was gone. Don't get me wrong, Forward (6-16) bowled very well on a track that was 'doing a bit' but he didn't have to work too hard for some of his wickets... mine included.

Our inability to get 'hard runs' when it really matters continues to give me real cause for concern.

Played 3. Won 1. Lost 2. In our 2 defeats, we've put ourselves into very strong positions to win but let it slip. We're not far away from getting it right... and that's what disappoints/frustrates so much.

The commitment is there and the midweek preparation is so much better than it's been. Rediscover that competitive edge, get a bit of indiviudal/collective belief and we'll be a real force to be reckoned with.

Plenty of time to turn things around...

~~~~~

Before we look to blame the track, we need to look at ourselves and our own application to chasing a low score on a difficult (but not impossible) surface. Aside from DJ who got an unplayable 'shooter' there was more than enough ability and experience to chase down 155. Sam - and to a lesser extent Chappy - were the only two that appeared to take any responsibility in the situation.

~~~~~

We move on to Saturday where we entertain Terling in a 1st XI league fixture for the first time in living memory. A (slightly) makeshift XI offers the opportunity for others to stake their claim. I'm sure all players and spectators alike will be giving 'Biggles' Harris all the support he deserves as he leads the side out for the first time.

I'll have the San Miguel on ice until the text message comes through...

Skip

Ps. Write Dave Clout off at your peril.

Goresbrook 2nd Batting

Player name		Runs
extras TOTAL :	1nb 1w 6b 6lb for 10 wickets	14 155 (41.5 overs)
Scott	ct G Bloom b Carroll	11
Irving	ct Swan b Fitzwater	31
Walsh	ct G Bloom b Fitzwater	3
Bird	ct D Bloom b Fitzwater	6
Randuff	ct Harris b Chapman	33
Hussain	ct Clout b Chapman	28
Kumar	ct Tucker b Fitzwater	15
Ivey	ct Harris b Carroll	7
Jones	Not Out	6
Forward	ct G Bloom b Carroll	1
Khondakar	lbw Carroll	0