|
In a match
sponsored by A.J.BOON LTD, the First XI
travelled to Woodford on Saturday, to be greeted
by a damp outfield with a small lake next to the
pavilion.
The home side won
the toss and decided to bat first on a seamer
friendly surface. A brave decision, but with
Chelford shorn of both their opening bowlers
Krish Bhardwa and Rory Prentice, a lucky choice.
Sam Chambers (3-62) and Nitin Srivastava (4-52)
took the new ball and managed to remove the top
three at a cost though, as Woodford moved easily
to 50 after 10 overs. Metcalfe and Heap then
took up the challenge for the home side as they
put together an excellent stand of 98 for the
fourth wicket. The rest of the Woodford line up
then joined in to help post a good score of 217
before being bowled out in over 45.
After tea Chelford
set off in pursuit of a tough target but
unfortunately keep losing wickets with
regularity, with no one showing the resolve to
stick with the superb "Sriv" (62). He alone took
the attack to Woodford, but with his bizarre
dismissal in managing to miss the ball but not
the bails to be out Hit Wicket, the game was up.
The boys gamely hung on for the draw, but Clarke
(5-40) eventually prevailed as last man Mark
Duffy was bowled with one ball left.
This was a poor
performance by Chelford after recent showings. A
shadow of the team which won four in a row.
Let's hope the return of Krish and Rory will
restore confidence for the visit of lowly
Hartford at Peover Lane on Saturday. Replacing
Nitin though, will be a tough act to follow. He
returned Home to India on Sunday due to illness
in the family. |