Puddletown RFC sunk as the Charlton Down bandwagon surges on

Four wins out of four and Puddletown RFC were the guests to try and halt the undefeated, indomitable Charlton Down from converting their fifth successive game into a win.

The home captain duly won the toss again, unfortunately to the detriment of becoming a jolly good tosser!! Without wavering hesitation he customarily accepted without fastidiousness the luxurious opportunity to bat first. We got off to our usual flying start with Cossens (45) and Smith (10) putting on 52 for the first wicket, with Cossens playing his usual ostentatious plethora of flamboyant slaps to the boundaries edge, unfortunately to the detriment of becoming…  

Having lost both openers in quick succession there was an opportunity for the less frequently used middle order to contribute an innings of essence and substance to the team’s total. However, good line and length bowling from Green and some vertically focussed shot selection from the home team accounted for a crumbling collapse like the fall of Rome amongst the middle order ranks of Charlton Down as Green picked up 4 wickets in am impressive spell. Charlton Down lost in a rapid torrent 6 wickets for 36 runs in a during the middle of the innings with Only Coates-Dale (34 not out) showing any application, he and Silk (10 not out) partaking in a stand of 31 runs for the seventh wicket to enhance Charlton Down’s prospective score to a more than reputable total of 119-6 off 18 overs.

Puddletown RFC’s reply needed to be positive and dynamic but they were not allowed to settle into any rhythm as the impressive Homewood (6-4-6-2) conceded the same amount of runs in his 6 over spell as his first ball in the last game against Churches United. With an early injury to the ever dependable Rich Fagence, Coates-Dale took over bowling duties from the Herrison end and somehow (not sure how) picked up 3 for 23 from his 6 overs. Will Silk weighing in at the end polishing off the tail with 3 for 12. With only one player from the opposition obtaining a score in double figures it was again left down to the wides and extras (32) to bolster the opposition’s total, 67 all out. What was more inspiring was the dedication and commitment of the fielding with no catches being dropped and Smith comfortably taking his second catch this season (2 in the last 7 years then!). Only one four was conceded (off CCD’s bowling) by the home side in their energetic and vigorous fielding display.

We do need to find a strategy to stop giving away the abundance of extras that we seem to be liberally dishing out as for the third time extras has been the top scorer for the opposition this year.

So 5 wins out of 5 and 2 very important away games coming up in what will an important week next week. With Abbotsbury to be flayed in the cup quarter-finals on Monday followed by our first meeting with Frampton on Thursday. A great start to the season, fantastic team efforts that have been extremely well supported by all who are involved at the club.

Off to Abbotsbury we trundle! See you there.