Charlton Down Cricket Club

Heads held high in match versus Suttoners as Rickard bowls 3-20

Suttoners Vs Charlton Down at Dean Park 12/04/08

A new season, a new sense of optimism, a new hope. As Charlton Down made their way to Dean Park for the first game of the season you could feel it in the air, the rain that is. The 11 plucky Charlton Downers had only been at the ground for 10 Minutes before the heavens opened and both rain and hail plunged the 2 dressing rooms into thoughts of an afternoon spent in the Bar. It had seemed that the forecast heavy showers were very much with us. However a Shower was all it was and pretty soon the pitch was drying out and the game could begin.

This may well have been a new season but the new captain followed on the tradition of losing the toss. Charlton Down were promptly sent out into the field. Fagance and Pretty kept things tight early on with Fagance picking up an early wicket. Silk and Afzal and Wormgoor took up the mantle with some good work picking up a wicket each. Chris Rickard came next and even though his mouth didn’t stop moving took a fantastic 3-20 in his 6 over spell. Fagance picked up a late wicket and Pretty toiled away with a great second spell with no reward. All in all a good performance in the field for the first game, most catches held and plenty of great fielding. Special note had to made to Rudo Wormgoor's 2 footed ballet inspired stop in the covers (mentored by the captain of dance), the like of which has never been seen before and unlikely to be seen again although Dunford is considering auditioning him for his next show!

So with Suttoners, fielding many premier league players being restricted to 221 , Charlton Down gave themselves a chance to chase down the score. However the opening bowlers from the home side seemed to rip through the Charlton Down upper order.   2-2 after 1 over. Next after a few Great shots through the off side by Sohowon he also fell a few overs later. Butterworth had just started to get into his stride when unfortunately played on for a high score 26. Dunford took things slowly staying at the crease for 15 overs compiling a good 23. During the captains innings he saw 5 batsmen head back to the dressing room from the other end; an impressive boundary by Joy, an unlucky dismissal of Silk managing to hit about 3 things before the forth being the stumps did for him before Pretty came to the crease and together he and Dunford put on the high stand of  28 over 12 overs. After Pretty fell the rest of the wickets fell at 1 an over, Afzal, Dunford and Wormgoor left leaving Fagance high and dry stranded on zero not out who after a stunning forward defensive block had to settle for an early season infinite average.   The visitors had fallen for 78.

The weather had held off and Charlton Down left with their heads held high. A good start to the season against a team from a higher level of cricket. Charlton Down should expect to be much more competitive later on the leagues this year but this was a great game at a fantastic ground.