Charlton Down Cricket Club
With a morning full of rain and showers the game looked in doubt and Zims farewell performance looked to be a washout before it got started. But as seems to be the way in recent weeks, the clouds cleared and out came the sun. Sid followed his season long inability to win the toss and Wimborne elected to bat. With a dearth of bowling talent on show Matt Lowther and Swampy marsh opened the attack. The visitors started strongly punishing the bad balls and playing and missing at the good but the introduction of Chas and Man of the day Adam Jones did the job picking up 3 wickets in quick succession between them and the run rate slowed. On a day when Zim was leaving the field seemed to have a strange effect on every player as mis fields, drops, fumbles and even the odd backward throwing from Mike Lingham, occurred all round the ground. 1 of these occasions when Sid dropped, then fumbled led to the run out of the main danger man in the wimborne team. Alex Campbell, Merv and JB managed to wrap up most of the tail and another misfield/run out occurred again by captain Sid. With just 121 on the board in a 35 over match Charlton Down looked to be in the driving seat going in to tea.
As it happened Tea was nowhere to be seen. German was in charge of tea preparations and due to a mis communication there was none. Many thanks to German, Swampy, Jane and Becky lingham for their hastily prepared effort after some quick Londis purchases. Tea was taken 10 overs into the 2nd innings and Cd were already 2 down Bradshaw and Lingham already bowled before the interval. Zim on his final game opening the batting managed some good hitting eventually falling for a top score of 21 combined with Sid to push the score on nicely. Sid and Doylie and Matt lowther fell before Merv (17 n/o) anchored the team home with some help from Chas and Alex Campell. The fielding of the opposition mirrored our effort with similar low levels at least making it even for both sides.
The game was won with 4 overs to spare and although 8 down CD always looked in control. Zim showing some genuine emotion, said his goodbyes after a few pints and with mud stained whites from his over exuberant dives in the field, headed into the distance on his quad bike. Gone but never forgotten.
Depending on possible rearrangements this could be the final game of the season and a great way to finish.
junior cricket correspondent