Match Report

Matt Carpenter was skipper for the day, as the regular officer was still making his way home from Malta. Matt made his mark on the match playing a Captain’s knock to see MSCC over the line for a first win of the season.  

It was a good day for the Middleton bowlers. Matt Dipple disposed of danger man Changlani LBW in a tidy opening spell, while opening partner Anirudh Sharma breached the defence of third man Kingsely. Olly Ross and Tim House were tandem change bowlers. They continued to keep control of the run rate, Tim picking up 2 further wickets, one bowled and one taken behind the wicket by Gus Floyd.

With the gates opened to the lower order, Seril Shah and George Robinson charged through. It was George’s best spell of the season so far, (he had also bowled in Malta) . He was pleased with his return of 2 – 23 from 6. Seril, “I have a very short run up” Shah proved to wily for the tail, combing twice with Olly Ross and once with Gus for his three wickets. 

The last wicket was taken by Shaan, and celebrated in the style we have come to expect.  With no batsmen exceeding 20 the target looked inviting at a measly 113. 

Gus and Shaan made a good start. Shaan in particulary had a purple patch of three balls, smashed through mid off for boundaries. Sadly both fell in short time with the score at 39 and 44. Matt Bazeley was briefly in and then quickly out, mis-hitting to mid wicket. Ali Meier and Matt Carpenter steadied the ship, Matt in particular enjoying the change bowlers who fed him several friendly leg side full tosses. 

When Ali fell, bowled for 10 the spectators sat up in expectation as fast scores, Anirudh and Olly were due in to bat. Both got off the mark and then both were dismissed, Anirudh beaten by the ball of the day, Olly gloving an attempted sweep to the keeper. A brace of Matts, Dipple and Carpenter added the last ten runs to see Middleton home by 4 wickets.

Satisfied in victory, the teams retired to the bar and bbq. Matt Bazeley not only provided a first class tea but also manned  the bbq while new bar Supremos, Olly and Ali saw to the thirsts raised Matt C and his team.