Sunday afternnoon, venue Welney Playing Field, the place to be for all cricket lovers these days. Last week a
one-wicket victory with two balls remaining, this week another win by the slimmest of margins, just 1 run, and again with 2 balls to be bowled.
Old Wilhads won the toss and invited Welney to bat first. Another good opening partnership (48) from Stephen Kent and Stephen Revett got the home side off to a
good start. Kent was this weeks batting hero scoring 79 in his 1 hour 51 minutes at the crease and was well supported by Adam Johnson batting at Number 4. The pair added 69 for the
third wicket before Kent departed, bowled by Sevier. Johnson then shared in a 35 run partnership with Sean Goodger, whose innings of 22 included an enormous 6 into Bedford's field
nearby. Neil Parkinson & Ashley Inwood added valuable runs at the close to take the team total to 205 for 6 wickets.
Stephen Kent 79 (9 x 4's), Adam Johnson 40 (5 x 4's), Sean Goodger 22 (1 x 6, 1 x 4), Stephen Revett 12 (1 x 4).
After the tea interval Welney had a dream start capturing 3 quick wickets, Johnson & Goodger doing the damage and Wilhads struggling at 29 for 3. The match was
soon to turn with a 106 run partnership from two young batting talents Sherwin (80, including 10 x fours and a six) and Baker (44). Sherwin was finally bowled by a full toss from
Dennis Birch and Baker smartly stumped by Neil Parkinson off John Loveday's bowling. Wilhads lost 2 further wickets quickly and the unfortunate Nigel Baker then pulled a hamstring to
retire hurt, later to return for the last wicket. At 160 for 8, Croft looked to be sailing home comfortably, only for Koopowitz (17) and Jan Aniscwiz (22) to turn the tables again
and so nearly win the match for Wilhads. With the dismissal of Koopowitz four runs short of victory Nigel Baker joined Jan with 7 balls remaining. Duncan Hobbs then had the
unenviable task of bowling the final over, Jan immediately scored 2 from the first ball, just 1 run needed to tie. The next 2 were blocked, still 2 runs needed with 3 balls
remaining. Finally Jan goes for the big hit and sets off down the wicket in vain and is run out in returning to his crease - another Croft victory by the narrowest of margins, a
single run.
Sean Goodger 1 for 38, Adam Johnson 3 for 54, John Loveday 2 for 36, Dennis Birch 1 for 38, Stephen Revett 1 for 21, Duncan Hobbs 0 for 15
Team: John Loveday (captain), Neil Parkinson, Duncan Hobbs, Stephen Kent, Gareth Kent, Dennis Birch, Sean Goodger, Adam Johnson, Ashley Inwood, Stephen
Revett & Andrew Revett. |