UNBEATEN CHARLTON DOWN PLAY A NEAR PERFECT MATCH
Pokesdown versus CDCC
Sunday 8 June 08
The forth game of the season and a trip to Kings Park, Bournemouth for the match to play Pokesdown Willows 2nds and after 3 victories in a row Sid was feeling confident of victory. Despite some dodgy map reading and half of the team going to various parts of Bournemouth the match started on time and having won the toss Sid decided to bat. Lamb and Bradshaw were sent out to set a platform for the team and that they did. In glorious conditions this pair made it to 3 balls short of the drinks break ( 50-1 ) before Bradshaw fell for 26. On debut Ben Gollidge joined Lamb at the crease at which point they remembered where the knew each other; (Gav had spent a few hours sledging Ben a few years earlier when on opposing teams) Lamb had set himself well and was on 48 when top edging a pull shot to square leg. 11 overs a 59 partnership and a great start (109-2). Coates Dale had been chuntering away at the boundary desperate to get into the middle and score himself some quick runs. Now was his chance. 1st ball faced and a lovely cover drive to the boundary. Were we seeing a new side to snail. Well No. 3 runs off the next 23 balls and snail was back to true form. At the other end Gollidge was smashing his way past fifty and as CCD got going another 50+ partnership was made before Gollidge eventually perished in the 38th over trying to push the score on given out LBW on 59 . Partnership 64 off 12 overs (173-3). As Sid headed for the middle his own instructions were fresh in his mind. Push the score over 200 as plenty off batting still to come. Bearing in mind 2 ducks had been his 2 previous scores he was delighted to get off the mark 2nd ball . With some good running from both Sid and CCD and a few boundaries to boot the score was being pushed along nicely with 59 coming off the last 7 overs. Special mention must be made of a small mix up when despite many calls of NO from Sid CCD ended up at the same end as Sid as the ball was thrown into the keeper. Whilst nearly arguing about who was right and who was out the home keeper completely missed the ball and with no back up Sid ran the entire length of the track to turn it into a 3. Sid ended up on 24* and Snail making his 50 on the last ball of the innings making it to 52*. Final Score 236 –3 and all overs used up for once.
After an average at best tea CDCC headed out onto the field brimming with confidence after scoring their 4th consecutive 200+ score. Homewood fresh form his excellent spell last week took the ball. As he ran in the ball slipped out of his hand went way wide on the crease but the batsman decided to slash at it and slashed it straight to Towndrow at point who clung on well. 1 ball 1 wicket. At the other end Afzal felt the pressure to match Mark, but match him he did also taking a wicket with his opening ball. Not only that he got another 3 balls later with John Moise on debut taking an excellent catch in the covers. Pokesdown 2-3. In his 3rd other Homewood equalled the score at 2 wickets each with a C&B before Afzal stormed ahead in his 3rd over, Rickard this time taking a good catch. (11-5) Homewood in his 4th and final over took another wicket (3-7) before Afzal took his 4th , again some good work by Moise in the covers. James Pretty joined the party taking a well deserved wicket in his 2nd over (Not however on his 1st ball) (1-6) and CD had improved on last weeks efforts of having the team 19 –6 by having them at 18-8. After giving Afzal 2 more overs to get his 5 for which he nearly managed on his last ball but the ball speared through the slip cordon (4-12), Chris Rickard stepped up to the plate and in his 2nd over, Pokesdowns 16th took the final 2 wickets (2-7), the first a good catch taken by Sid running and taking it over his shoulder and the 2nd LBW. 36 ALL OUT.
What a great performance. Charlton Down win by 200 runs. Every player either scored some good runs, took a wicket or took a catch. 4 partnerships all over 50 and fun was had by all. So Charlton Down head to their next game away to Ibberton still with a 100% record a despite so far using 23 players in 4 matches all is looking very good.