After suffering the frustration of two successive washed out matches,
the Horizontals rolled into Lincolnshire relieved to see the sun finally
shining. Having checked in to the Angel Hotel in Bourne, the players
made their way to Edenham to meet the Bourne Optimists and were delighted
to see a hospitality marquee had been erected for the occasion.
Opening the bowling in a 40 over match, Webster & Scally were
their usual niggardly selves (Scally 4-1-6-0) but could only come
up with the one wicket - Nation falling LBW to Matt for 5. The home
side was proceeding serenely against the change bowling of Warren
& Winteringham and had reached 80-1 when skipper Murray introduced
Skipper to the attack. The wily veteran struck immediately, luring
Jervis into a mis-timed pull with a cunningly thigh-high full toss;
Bordin pouched the chance. Richardson came out at 4 but was bowled
first ball and Jones was unable to defend the hat trick ball, offering
a sharp chance behind that Bordin clung to. Another tour hat-trick!
The carnage was only just beginning as Murray brought himself on at
the other end and hoovered up four wickets in as many overs. Roger
added the two he needed for his fivefer, Stiven claimed five victims
in all (two stumped, three caught) and the Optimists collapsed to
112 all out with the last nine wickets falling for 32 in just eight
overs. A comprehensive victory for spin over seam.
Both teams proceeded to enjoy a fine tea in the hospitality marquee
with the visitors reflecting over-confidently on an astonishing turnaround
in fortunes whilst cows basked happily in the sunshine in the adjoining
field.
The Horizontals' innings was undone by bowling that was so accurate
it was bordering on unsporting. After 12 overs, the score was 12-2,
after 24 it was 48-5. Only two batsmen managed double figures; Stiven
(10) and Simon (15 n.o.) as the innings turned into a sorry procession.
Wickets fell regularly, the highest partnership was a paltry 18 as
the Optimists bold gamble of completely bowling out their four frontline
bowlers paid off spectacularly. After 32 overs the score was 76-7
with Warren and Murray at the crease and 37 needed from eight overs
of who knew what. A win was still possible if the fifth bowler was
less good than the first four. As it was the fifth bowler, Jones,
bowled Craig with his first ball. The sixth bowler, Lindley likewise
dealt with Needham and Roger was then caught off Jones. The Horizontals
were thus dismissed for 87 with 5.4 overs remaining and the home side
deservedly won by 25 runs.
Both teams then repaired to the Wishing Well in Dyke for a couple
of pints and some mulling.The evening was spent in Smiths of Bourne
and thereafter at a massive three hour banquet at the Yang Xian (or
Golden Palace, can't remember) where the food and wine and indiscretions
just kept coming. Splendid.
Away
v Witham-on-the-Hill - Sunday July 8th
Sunday morning saw the team slowly assemble for a fine breakfast
at the Angel whilst perusing the sports pages. Then after a lie down,
it was off to the Six Bells for a livener before the match with Witham-on-the-Hill.
The Horizontals having been inserted, Richard Burgess & Chris
Peratides strode forth to open the innings but tight bowling from
Edwards and Mick Bentley meant that the scoring rate was as funereal
as it had been the previous day. Burgess was first to go, caught behind
for 2 in the seventh over with the score on 11. Webster managed only
5, Needham 1, Bordin 6 and Winteringham 0 before Chris was out for
a doughty 25 in the 26th over to make it 58-6. Simon Warren belted
a lusty 31 (6x4) but with his dismissal the innings petered out and
closed at 109-8 from 40 overs.
The tea at the Six Bells was as fine as ever, featuring huge slices
of roast beef, potato and waldorf salads and cream cakes. The tourists
duly filled their boots before waddling back to the ground for the
denouement.
Webster & Scally began well conceding only 12 runs from the first
eight overs. Matt was getting dramatic bounce from the Pavilion End
and he removed opener Whittock with a sharp lifter which was brilliantly
taken at slip by Needham; proper cricket. The Horizontals then reverted
to type and spilled a further three chances off the unfortunate Webster.
A stubborn stand between Gout and Morris ensued before Matt completed
his spell (8-1-13-1) and Scally was switched to the Pavilion End.
He immediately found extra bounce to have Gout caught behind by Stiven
to claim his first wicket of the season...on July 8th...in his
sixth match...after 35 fruitless overs...and followed up by trapping
Knipe LBW to finish with 8-3-16-2. Bowling from the road end, Simon
Warren was having little luck until Mick Bentley drove a half volley
ferociously back and the bowler, who had earlier spilled an absolute
dolly, held an astonishing one-handed catch at full stretch above
his head.
Witham never looked under pressure however and despite wickets for
Murray and Winteringham, Edwards took the game away with a hard-hit
35 before being well caught by Chris off Roger. The home side won
by three wickets with three overs to spare and the teams had just
left the pitch when a tremendous thunderstorm arrived to drench the
ground.
The players took themselves off once again to the Six Bells for beer,
ribaldry, high jinks and the traditional taking the piss out of Ken
(..he's how old!?!).
Another fine tour. We were very fortunate to have two fine days on
which to play two very sporting teams. The hospitality was great,
the hotel was good and the craic was mighty. Roll on Lincolnshire
2008.
