Charlton Down Cricket Club

Rain Halts Charlton Down in Record Smashing Innings

With Sid the skip back from his hols and Temp Skip resting up, the team set off to Swanage hoping to get a full and strong game in despite ominous weather reports. Rudo the trail finder found the ground ..eventually.. and the grey skies set the scene . Once again we faced a lopsided pitch with a huge boundary one side a very small one the other. Sid the skip was unsure about what to do and was quite happy to lose the toss and be inserted.

Gav Lamb and Will Lowther were the intrepid bats sent to sample the wicket. Lowther started strongly taking it to the Swanage attack before falling for 24 attempting to get out of the way of a bouncer; 40 –1

Alistair McPhail in his Sunday debut was just settling when Lamb fell for 27 to fly gully, again done by a climbing delivery;(64-2)

Sid the skip strode to the middle and looked in confident mood. McPhail (40)started peppering the small boundary from both ends before he too got out to a steepling climber and was caught at gully;(102-3)

Ben Gollidge headed for the centre to join Sid the skip. Ben proceeded to do everything he could to get out, playing and missing, nearly chopping on, giving a catch to keeper but to no avail, he survived and went on to play a classy innings. At the other end Sid the skip(23) was looking well set when he played on to a ball that stayed low;(133-4)

Coates Dale was amazed to be dropped down the order to 6 having scored 198 in his last 2 innings, but Sid the  skip knew what he was doing and with Snail determined to continue his good form started to watch these 2 accumulate a big score. Ben smashed his way passed 50 and Snail was playing a great supporting roll slowly accumulating. With Gollidge now seeing the ball so well he was seeing off bowler after bowler as the home side strived to find a man for the job. He rapidly got his century becoming the 6^th Charlton Down Bat to pass the landmark this season. Coates Dale now released from his shackles also got motoring now rapidly now passing his 50 for the 4^th time in 6 starts this season. With both scores passed 2 others records were being smashed.

For the first time in the clubs history the 300 mark was cleared eventually ending on 331 – 4 . In addition the club record partnership was smashed for the 2^nd time this season. Gollidge (115*) and Coates Dale (75*) had put on an incredible unbeaten 198. The rain had been getting steadily worse during the last 10 overs of the innings and continued through the tea interval.

In the 2^nd innings Sid the skip was thrilled with his bolwers. They didn’t bowl any wides, any no balls , give away any extras or as it happens bowl any balls at all. The rain had persisted and it was with a heavy heart that Sid the skip agreed to abandon the match at the half way stage.

With Swanage being Charlton Downs main rivals for promotion the draw still leaves us well and truly in the driving seat.