Charlton Down Cricket Club

Charlton Down versus Puddletown Rugby Club

Wednesday 18th July 2007

At last a summer's evening fit for cricket! Instead of a trip to what some have regarded as a picturesque Plush pitch the game was hosted at home. The team arrived at the stunning , well maintained Charlton Down pitch and found it difficult to find the away team changing rooms! When they eventually surfaced there was a quiet air of confidence resonating around the ground.

Puddletown opted to bat so we took to the field ready for some tight fielding. The bowlers did their bit to keep the run rate down with a stunning performance by Mark Homewood taking  3 wickets in 4 balls. JB did his bit to ruin Mark's chances on the hat-trick ball dropping what he believes to be the only ball he has ever dropped in the field! Other impressive performances fell to Chris Towndrow   with 3 wickets and the panther-like agility in the field by the veteran  Richard Mann. Such was the tight fielding and excellent bowling that Puddletown only reached 55 off their 20 overs.

And so to the batting. Andy Cossens (27 not out) and Chris Coates-Dale(20 not out) opened and closed the Charlton Down attack  with great focus and determination to put together an impressive partnership  in what was in effect a stroll in the park. Chris found the chicken wire easy to reach and upped his speed between the wicket, yes his snail pace was matching the Hare-like pace of his partner the old but spirited Andy who at one time with his beetroot -red face looked like he would explode any minute. Between them they easily passed Puddletown's 55 to make it 8 victories out of 8 and a warm glow of satisfaction that the league title could well be ours in the  match next Thursday.
 

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