1st XI match reports
2012 Season - 26 May - Marston St Lawrence v Byfield - Lost 252 for 7 v 215 for 7
The end of May saw a first game of the season as we welcomed an extremely talented Byfield team to Monkspiece and whilst never really threatening to win, played a really good game on a blistering hot day.
Byfield won the toss and elected to bat and they all got a few but at 30 overs and about 125 for 3 and a couple of quick wickets there was a chance. However the class of Andy Watts and Steve Clayton showed and whilst we got them out in came Jake Heath and Johnny Carr to thrash it around and in the heat we wilted slightly as Byfield imposed a significant total. Graham hall bowled extremely well picking up a couple of wickets and keeping it tight and Steve Bussey did a similar job as well.
Connor and Owen went out to bat against Jake and the old boy Ali Dennison. Connor had a fabulous innings and his Dad would be proud of his accountant's 50 ..... ie 49 and avoid buying a jug. (Connor the pub is shut so you don't have to !!). A superb innings. James King, Seb Thornton, Graham and Steve Bussey all scored teens and all fell just as we thought 'might they'. At the other end was John Preston on a rare appearance and he scored an excellent 47 and we hope you will return for a few more trips this year.
At 181 for 7 and 4 overs left 200 was the target and whilst Kurtis clubbed, Jim ran and chaos enshewed which lifted the total to a very respectable finish.
If you look at it man for man, Byfield are clearly better so if they perform well, the task will always be tough. Whilst the victory was clearcut, we should be pleased with our performance and if we play like that for the rest of the season will win more than we lose.
Thank you to the big support, the groundstaff and our match ball sponsors The Preston Family. Also a big thank you to Jackie for a lovely tea.
Evenley vs. Marston St Lawrence
With the view out of the window on Saturday morning looking like a monsoon and the Monkspiece Square under standing water Evenley's request that we turn up even if only to shake hands at 4.30 seemed a little demanding. However, you do not get to be League Champions by sitting at home and that target is clearly in their sights. And they were right!
Play started at 2.45 with the match reduced to 32 overs per side (or so everybody thought). Ali opened the bowling with Kurtis bowling from the Post Office end. Having missed the first two overs Kurtis informed me that he had just bowled the worst over of the season. It was not until later that I found it was also the most expensive - I reckon the best part of £400 for a new double glazed unit destroyed by the 6. With the two Romaine brothers batting the flow of runs was more like the morning's deluge with 6 an over ticking along. Alex made 50 before skying one to John Gale. Anthony kept up the momentum for his 51. Steve Bussey and Matt Riddle came on as change bowlers and the run rate started to drop until we got to 28 overs. The umpires then had a fairly heated discussion as to how many overs per innings we were playing. Whilst the players sat around and watched the discussion went on... and on and on.... (we lost at least an over!). Eventually after reference to the league hand book it was decided there were in fact 33 overs per side.
The short break seemd to unsettle Marston for a few minutes and Talib Ali (41) came to the wicket and punished Matt with two big sixes one of which bounced off the bonnet of Jim's car. The run rate returned to the 6 an over mark and Evenley finished on 190 for 7.
After a good tea in the pub, Nick Hall who was standing in as captain, decided to show our intent by putting John in to open with James King. Unfortunately, John got his feet in a tangle in the second over and was out LBW. Nick then came in but with accurate bowling we were not able to rise above 3 an over. In fact at 75 it looked as if there might be a risk of a score under 100. However with a 'guest' appearnce from John Preston, Seb remembering that it was a bat in his hand and not a chopstick, and Steve Bussey (42) returning to the middle after a 'retired hurt' following a blow on the chin, we ended on a very creditable 151 for 8.
All in all it was a very enjoyable afternoon of cricket in bright and breezy conditions. It seemd unlikely even at 12.30pm but there's a moral there somewhere........
Marston St. Lawrence vs. Warwick University Staff
In a topsy turvy game, Marston St. Lawrence snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, eventually slipping to a comprehensive loss against Warwick University. Stand in Skipper Graham Hall won a good toss and inserted the opposition at Monks Piece. The decision payed immediate dividends as Warwick were first reduced to 38-6 and then 40-8 either side of a rain delay. The top order had no answer to the opening spells of Kurtis James and Neil Lake as both bowlers got the ball to move off the seam and in the air, resulting in a series of catches behind the wicket. Both James and Lake finished with excellent figures; the latter’s only slightly ruined by a full toss in one of his last few overs. Staring down the barrel of a huge defeat, Warwick responded well with their two twins, surprisingly batting at 8 and 10 to the fore. Despite one skied catch not being taken, the pair did not give a chance as they put on a huge partnership in quick time. Marston’s lack of a quality change bowler proved the difference as although John Gale bowled well, there were too many loose balls that released any pressure that had been built up. With both twins hitting 50’s, one finishing up on an unbeaten 89 from just 71 balls, Marston were forced to chase a challenging 187 on what was a difficult pitch.
In response, Marston never really looked like chasing the score down. With their confidence sky high after their batting exploits, Warwick’s twins opened the bowling and were hard to get away. Despite a solid start, Marston collapsed from 50-2 to being all out for under a hundred. Warwick’s bowlers stuck to a disciplined line, especially the unusual change bowler with the Paul Adams style action but in truth Marston perhaps should have batted better. The comprehensive defeat, albeit to the second in the League was particularly difficult to take given Warwick’s earlier collapse earlier in the day but the way in which Marston’s bowlers ripped through their top order was the main positive to take from what was in the end disappointing day.
Thornborough v Marston St. Lawrence - 18 June 2011
Game rained off after 11 overs.
Radway v Marston St. Lawrence -11 June 2011
A good game with a mixture of excellence and carelessness. We visited Radway which is the scene of a perfect village cricket setting, small ground, sporting pitch, nice people, great tea and lovely pavillion.
On a mixed weather day Owen won the toss and thankfully put them into bat. Ali bowled superbly as he bowled his 9 overs for 9 runs and also took 3 wickets. Kurtis also bowled tightly and and kept the pressure on as after 12 overs Radway were 21 for 2. Graham came on and mainly kept things tight as the hitters were trying to take advantage of the small boundary. Golden arm Boyles came on at the other end and he was chosen to take some stick as Radway's main batsman clubbed a fine 62. Our golden arm plugged away and took a Michelle - a Five for. Not his best but we did enjoy drinking his jug. The fielding was mixed with a mixture of excellence James King full length diving catch, very good John Gale running and catching on the boundary, crucial Roy under a skyer from the main man and the ridiculous - we know who we are are but about 5 catches went down as we got them out for 130 on a tricky but steady pitch if application was used.
Owen and Jim went out to bat with their customary steadiness and good running putting on 45 in 16 overs before Jim was out for 16. As the weather closed in Nick and Owen (sure there is a TV presenter between them) raised the level and played shots all round the ground with crunching 4's and beautifully timed singles before Owen was out for 46 on 101. This was quickly followed by JG and Nick for an excellent 31. Followed by another quick couple and we had gone from 101 for 1 to 112 for 6 and whoops crikey was coming to mind. Not to worry though as James King lovely leg glance, Stephen Bussey fab lofted 4 followed by shot of the day on drive and a James cover drive and all over with 6 overs to spare. Seemed straight forward but nearly lost .... but things are definitely getting better for this young team and results like this show character.
This will most probably be my last 1st team appearance of the year but I have to say I have really enjoyed playing in the new evolving team which epitomises the best of Marston, with hard but fair play and beginning to show some depths of resolve. Ali and Kurtis are no longer potential as they are performers every week, Stephen Bussey is right up there with them with either bat or ball, James King a welcome addition, the old boys in Simon and Graham still have a lot to offer and Nick is playing as well as he did before his horrific injury .... Johnnie G is getting much more consistent .... remember Radway could be the best thing he ever hears. Golden boys from afar and Uni are soon returning and we are left with a strong team. As I find my boundary position I encourage the team to be more vocal when fielding and not to switch off as cricket games can flutuate wildly one way or the other in 5 overs. Finally Owen, a man batting like his potential clipping round the ground and keeping the whole team running ...... keep going and no nagging for another 10 months as you bat !!
Keep going guys ... we/you are pretty good.
Marston St. Lawrence v Syresham - 4 June 2011
Another tough game for the team which welcomed the return of Ali Dennison. Syresham won the toss and batted with about a force 10 gale blowing from the Pavillion end. Ali bowled like the wind as well but straight and put the pressure on the batsman. Kurtis on the other hand had a pinch hitter who was determined to whack with the wind as Syresham were 32 for zip after 10 and Kurtis then got his man and Ally added the captain.
The charge still happened but Graham came on and ably backed by Steve Bussey put a strangle hold on the score as Graham nipped out 4 and one by Steve and Syresham were about 120 for 8 when Adam Abbots let fly with 49* not classical but he hits a great ball and always in the gap and Syresham out for 184. Ali 12 overs for 24, Graham 4 wickets, Kurtis alot into the wind and Steve a very handy Mr tidy.
Owen and Jim set off serenely putting on 25 from 10 before both were out within an over and quickly followed by James 'Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall ... ' King. This left Nick and Steve a mountain to climb but thankfully they were Tensing and Hillary as they put on the best part of a 100 with thoughtful batting .... hit the bad one, run like billio and play the gaps before Steve lost his head with an excellent 39. Nick was joined by Kurtis but with 35 needed from 6 Nick missed his only one and was out for a superb 62. No worries we thought as Graham will club a few but an outstanding one handed diving catch meant a double wicket maiden. As much as it pains me to say it .... in came another all rounder (or an Ali rounder). Kurtis and Ali batted really sensibly, working the gaps with the pace of the ball and the occasional big shot. One big one from Kurtis and two dabbs behind square from Ali and we needed 10 from 2 overs. A formidable Ali cover drive and two lovely straight fours later and we were home by 8 balls, 4 wickets and no bother .... but very close as Ali was 24* and Kurtis 18*.
Well done to all as a really good team effort ..... £40 raised on the bottle of wine, great tea from Jackie ... but no special tea for Kurtis this week .... think he left his bedroom untidy and thanks to the match sponsors the Prestons ...... The roll has started, summer is here and the first team are starting to win again. Hooray ...........................
Byfield v Marston St. Lawrence - 28 May 2011
In short we were outclassed by a better team. For those who were there they will realise that a score of 265 on afast small ground was not absolutely unattainable and some very good fielding and morale kept the score below 300.
In reply OWen and Nick got off to a flyer with 52 after 11 overs and the game was on. Unfortunately, Nick was out for 35 and we folded like a pack of cards as we tried to chase the big score and were out for 120.
Nevertheless, there were some good performances, lots of fight and we do not play Byfield every week and the stronger players are back shortly.
Marston St. Lawrence Vs Woodford Halse. - 21 May 2011
On week 4 of the season the 1st XI played their second game sponsored this week by the Johnson Family. It was a much changed team from the side who played Evenley the week before, with only 7 players continuing from that defeat.
Owen won the toss on this blustery afternoon and decided to field first. With Kurt bowling a tight opening spell followed by Graham bowling well Mikey had great support to get the first two wickets of the match and it looked like we could keep them to a reasonable target. This looked even better as Steve came onto bowl a special spell of 10 overs 1 for 23, but with wickets in hand Woodford went after the bowling for the last 10 overs getting to 203 before Mike struck once again to bring his tally to 3 wicket with the last ball of the innings.
Everyone who came into the side anew this week performed well in the field with particular mention for Connor Atkin who kept solidly and for Josh Easterbrook playing his first game of senior cricket with great enthusiasm.
After tea Owen and Jim reached the field to bat and set about frustrating Woodford while steadily accumulating to the large but achievable target of 204. An opening partnership of 64 set us on our way by the time Owen was caught for 26. Further partnerships with Steve, john Gale who had only just started to get going for 28, and Graham took Jim to his 50 which he raised his bat to celebrate before the scorers had managed to mark it in the book. Unfortunately Jim only added 1 further run to his score before running himself out and after this only Kurtis gave much resistance as we collapsed from 171 for 5 to 178 all out. Jim in the process becoming the oldest Marston player to score a premiership 50.
With 4 batting points and 2 bowling it was not the worst result we have had but in the chilly score box and the changing room alike you couldn’t help the feeling Woodford were a team we could have beaten on another day. Thanks to Mrs D for a super tea.