Match Report

With 5 overs left of the second innings Middleton Stoney CC needed just 31 runs for victory. This had been somewhat of a recovery for after 6 overs only 26 runs had been scored and five wickets had been lost. Earlier in the evening the home bowlers had been on task and restricted the visiting medics from the NOC to just 115 in their 20 overs. 

It was a bright and sunny evening, chilly in the shade of the pavilion but much warmer out in the middle.  Matt Dipple and Anirudh Sharma shared the first seven overs, Matt having opener Craig LBW with his back of the hand slower ball. Anirudh then had Sam Norley to thank for a catch taken running in from the cover boundary.  NOC CC were willing to run for everthing and the accuracy of the Middleton throwing came under scrutiny. 

Rob Barton kept the tradition of “blooding” a member of the NOC when a slower ball turned into a beamer that the batsman deflected into his forehead.  Boundaries proved elusive, only 8 were scored in the first innings. The harum-scarum running resulted in a run out when Matt Dipple hit the stumps directly from square leg.

Paul Wordsworth continued to find that chances from his bowling would be spilled.  This time Anirudh was the unlucky fielder, perfectly stationed at long on. James Lyon was the pick of the bowlers, his inswingers seeming unplayable, his outswingers unpickable.  Paul saw sense and hit the stumps, so much easier than relying on a fielder, bowling Sykes for 20.

Alex Martin, the visiting skipper attacked with gusto. He took the score past 100, taking a liking to the occassional bowling of Harry Way. Harry did pick up an occassional wicket, he claims it was off a deliberate bouncer, it looked more like a long hop. Matt Dipple kept his eyes out of the sun but on the ball to hold the catch.

The youthful openers Elliot Barton and Sam Norley found the bowling to be accurate. Elliot picked out Mid on with every shot, but ran anyway. Sam unveiled the shot of the day with his cover drive for 4. Simmo purred on the boundary.  Elliot edged a short fast delivery to the keeper before Sam, dancing down the track missed the ball, turned to get to back the crease, but missed the crease with his outstretched bat.

First change bowler Craig put a strangle hold on the game. Swinging the ball late he bemused Mike Robins on, cleaned up Jay Mumtaz and had James Lyon for a first baller. He finished with 3 – 8 from four overs. Harry Way was joined by the captain. With Harry leading the way the target moved into reach, despite being dropped at deep midwicket he became the only player to reach the retirement score of 30. Middleton had 5 overs left.

Off Spinner Sykes only conceded one run from his first over. He may have been fortunate not to have been called for a couple of wides as he tested the umpire’s tolerance. His last ball was quicker, straighter and deadly and did for the skipper.

Anirudh showed his intentions and was set on winning the game. Pushing for a second run he found his way blocked by a fielder, the necessary diversion slowing him down just enough for the run out to be completed. With three overs remaining 18 were required, Rob Barton tried to blast his way to victory. “Blast” he said when he missed the ball. Matt Dipple offered words of wisdom from the non strikers end…”just get something on it and run”. This he did only for Matt to try and blast the ball out of the ground and be bowled.

13 needed from two overs, last 2 men at the crease but Harry itching to resume his retired innings. Only 2 were scored from penultimate over. Martin returned to bowl the final over. A wide, a no ball, a dot  and two singles then a call for a second run left Paul stranded midwicket. But …. Harry was able to return with nine needed to win.

The final ball thudded through mid on for four, but not for victory which went to the visitors whose bowling had proved a cut above. It was a very cheerful NOC XI who retired to Rona’s barbecue and Andrew’s bar to celebrate thier 5 run win.