Preview

Saturday 27 July 2024 (Report by Chris Crace)
BURES CC v Twinstead CC (away)

A strong Bures team arrived at Twinstead on a beautiful sunny day, looking for a much-needed win. With a record, to date, of 5 losses and only one win, we were a little low on confidence, but fuelled by a few pre-match beers, a fine barbecue and a winning toss, there was hope that perhaps this would be our day. However, we had been unaware that as Twinstead had no league match that weekend, they were able to field a very powerful team themselves. Certainly, no easy victory to be had here, as we had hoped.

Indeed, things quickly began to unravel, with our top 3 batsmen all falling cheaply, and at 14 for 3 off 8 overs (in a 30 over match), we were a little despondent. Fine opening spells from J. Ward (0- 16) and T. Balentyne (3-26) left us gradually consolidating through the reliable bats of Jack C and Charlie E.

At the halfway stage, still having lost no further wickets we were at 67, and more hopeful of posting a competitive 180-200. As it turned out we had nothing to worry about. Jack and Charlie continued to pile on the runs as the bowling weakened, and had it not been for a slightly unfortunate decision against Charlie, 33 runs, (who came off saying that he thought if you middled it, you couldn’t be LBW – or words to that effect), they may both have carried their bats. Instead, Neil M (27 not out) came in to play an excellent supporting role to Jack, who ended up with a magnificent 132 not out, including 9 x 6’s and 13 x 4’s. The “Mighty Bures” thereby setting a formidable target of 224 for 4.

But there could be no complacency, and although Matt S struck with an early wicket, we always felt under pressure. Charlie E, as ever, bowled a lovely spell but sadly without any luck, and the ever-youthful Rupert T bowled with venom and accuracy securing 2 further wickets. However, T. Balentyne dug in with A. Ward, and runs started to accumulate. Despite Twinstead always being behind the run rate, on a small ground, our target still looked vulnerable.

So, the Chairman brought himself on, and proceeded to bowl a remarkably tidy and tight spell, and ultimately breaking the partnership at 118, by b owling Ward. It proved to be the catalyst for a collapse, and with good tight lines and lengths from Jack C (2 for 15), Adam Ritchie, who was unlucky not to take the key wicket of Balentyne, Mark B, and a return of Matt S (3 for 24) at the
end, we restricted them to 138 for 9, and procured a comfortable win for Bures.

All in all, a very satisfactory day, and perhaps the start of better fortunes for the rest of the season.