Recap

Wednesday 5 June 2024 (Report by Chris Crace)

BURES CC v St Martins CC (home) T20

Bures arrived at the ground on a sunny Wednesday evening, bolstered by the fact that we now had a full side with the late inclusion of Mr Slow. Little were we to know how important this would turn out to be.

For once, Captain Luke managed to win the toss, and decided to bat so we could take advantage of the good light conditions, which Monty M duly did by smashing the first over for 24 runs. Luckily this was counter-balanced by Tim B, who anchored the other end with a steady but rock-solid innings, eventually retiring on 12 n.o. Monty continued to thrash the ball to all corners and was also retired on 55. Tom W then entered the fray with his new bat, which sadly contributed to his downfall. Used to playing with a bat that could barely hit the ball off the square, Tom duly played a gentle defensive shot to his first ball, which much to his surprise hit the middle and pinged straight back to the bowler. Captain Luke (20) and Adam K (27) then put on some useful runs, both hitting a couple of lusty 6’s amongst other blows. Adam R contributed too, with a solid knock and it was left to the Chairman (22 n.o.) and Paul N (20 n.o.) to bring the total to a very respectable 171 for 6.

A quick turnaround soon saw us fielding, and some fine bowling from Mark B and Adam K had the opposition on the back foot. Captain Luke came on and both he and Adam took wickets. With the run rate requirement ever mounting due to tidy bowling and sharp fielding all round, including a run out, it was time to turn to Mr Slow. It took one ball for Mr Slow to make his mark with a beautifully flighted delivery, obligingly hit high into the air and safely snaffled. Mr Slow then proceeded to bamboozle the opposition with a variety of moon balls and sheer guile. One of their team even felt the need for a helmet, we assumed in case it landed on his head from above! A “Michelle” was his reward, taking 5 for 8 – life in the old dog yet. So, St Martins were bowled out for 81, and the first victory of the season secured.

No doubt there will be tougher tests to come, but in the meantime, the beer tasted all the sweeter after a successful win.