Charlton Down Cricket Club
CDCC versus Martinstown (friendly)
Sunday 7th September
Charlton Down shot down by Martinstown’s Young Guns
Amidst clouds and a damp atmosphere Martinstown’s youngsters visited the Herrison Oval. The first friendly since CD were promoted at the end of the league season started well when Sid won the toss for the first time in 6 tosses(Hes not a very good tosser) and decided to bat in this timed game.
The batting order was decided on the order that players turned up, So Gav Lamb(6) and Zarak (1) set about the Martinstown attack. Neither lasted long and Wormgoor and Bradshaw(2) had their turn. In a pleasant surprise move, Wormgoor decided not to get out and that he was going to stick around for a while and after Bradshaw fell, along with James Pretty, moved the score along nicely. Wormgoor eventually fell after 15 overs for a personal record high score of 19 and stayed in the middle for 15 overs.
Adam Jones(2) came and went before Sid the skip came in at no7. Pretty was caught going for a wide one for 15 before Sid (24) and Chris Rickard (15) put on 33 before rickard was caught heaving and Sid was clean bowled . Holdcroft and Silk both looked in good touch before going for 11 and 19 respectivley. Dave Saxby remained unbeaten on 0.The ball was swinging all over the place thanks to the overcast conditions meaning that no batsman never got settled.
Another Amazing tea by Collette and a good rest and the CD bowlers looked to protect their score of 126.Silk(3-15-0) and Rickard(6-26-0) Led the attack and soon found that the ball was swinging, too much as it happens with the ball straying down leg side too often and many runs being plundered on that side. Afzal took over and also struggled to control the swing he was clearly getting. At the other end Wormgoor (4-22-0) had settled into a good rhythm , pitching the ball up well and troubling the away teams openers and continuing his excellent match. His only blot dropping a catch off his own bowling.
Saxby (4-9-1) replaced Wormgoor and hit excellent areas and lines getting a well deserved wicket after a fantastic instinctive catch by Rudo topping a great all round performance for him. Afzal toiled on picking up much better rhythm and after one of the openers retired on 51 the Martinstown skipper was done by Zarak(6-32-1) with an absolute gem of a ball that was pitched up, swung a mile and was unplayable.
Adam Jones(2-9-0) looked dangerous getting the batsman to play and miss on many occasions with 2 well controlled overs. As the match was drawing to a close Sid brought himself on to entertain the crowd(Well to give them a laugh anyway) Amazingly with his 4th ball the bat gloved a ball to Eric who had the audacity to drop him. Drop one off the captains bowling. No grudges were held but Eric was made to scrub all the kit , particularly the club boxes.
Thanks to some very generous umpiring Sid (2-10-0) only conceded 3 wides. However the game was over, Martinstown taking just 25 overs and 2 wickets to reach their target.
Man of the match goes to the all rounder Rudo Wormgoor who played all facets of today's match excellently.