CHISWICK
22 AUGUST 2002
Result: Dodgers won by six wickets
The last game of the season against our dearest rivals was played against the background of the sad news of Sue Adeys illness. The eight Dodgers available for the game resolved to play to the best of their ability in these circumstances and responded with one of the best team performances of the season.
It was agreed to limit the game to 35 overs each, as several players had to leave before the end. Superstars generously lent us some fielders and the excellent displays of Messrs Block, Abigail and Conway inspired us. Our fielding was a million miles from the dire show against MoD and I cant recall any misfields costing runs.
We fielded first and after three quiet overs, Gigg and Conway started going for their shots. With some quick and aggressive running between the wickets, the score began to mount. As is usual in these circumstances, the captain turned to John Hilary who promptly removed Conways bails. This brought Steve Carter to the wicket. Captain Priest issued stern instructions not to get him out but this was not heard by Kim Matthews (or so he claimed) who caught him in Johns next over.
At the other end, John Cooper was also bowling efficiently and he quickly accounted for the dangerous Tony Whitrod and followed up by removing Barry Gigg. John had an excellent all-round game with bat and ball and in the field.
After a dodgy start, I picked up my usual three jammy wickets (bowling Richard Abigail was particularly satisfying) and Neil Benn returned to remove Marchant when he looked well set. A total of 171 represented a good effort by Dodgers and we felt it was gettable provided we had a good start.
Our openers Andrew Crawford and John Cooper played well and kept the score going at the required rate. However, both were out without getting the big score threatened. Neil Priest responded superbly with a fine innings. After a quiet start, he attacked the bowlers with some aggressive shots, scoring twelve boundaries. At the other end, Neil Benn concentrated on giving his partner the strike but played some good shots himself. The pair added 103 for the third wicket. Mike Taylor helped by bowling six wides in one over.
After Neil Priest was out with the score on 152, our last recognised batsman John Hilary struck two fine boundaries off Taylor but was then out with us still needing nine. This presented a problem, with John Doyle at the crease and only me to come in, Kim having gone home with a stomach upset. Doyle promptly fell over when facing his first delivery and it was looking dodgy but Neil Benn kept his nerve. With scores level, Doyle launched another wild swing at the bowling. He missed by a mile and so did the field, as we ran a bye to clinch a satisfying victory with eleven balls to spare.
22 AUGUST 2002
Result: Dodgers won by six wickets
The last game of the season against our dearest rivals was played against the background of the sad news of Sue Adeys illness. The eight Dodgers available for the game resolved to play to the best of their ability in these circumstances and responded with one of the best team performances of the season.
It was agreed to limit the game to 35 overs each, as several players had to leave before the end. Superstars generously lent us some fielders and the excellent displays of Messrs Block, Abigail and Conway inspired us. Our fielding was a million miles from the dire show against MoD and I cant recall any misfields costing runs.
We fielded first and after three quiet overs, Gigg and Conway started going for their shots. With some quick and aggressive running between the wickets, the score began to mount. As is usual in these circumstances, the captain turned to John Hilary who promptly removed Conways bails. This brought Steve Carter to the wicket. Captain Priest issued stern instructions not to get him out but this was not heard by Kim Matthews (or so he claimed) who caught him in Johns next over.
At the other end, John Cooper was also bowling efficiently and he quickly accounted for the dangerous Tony Whitrod and followed up by removing Barry Gigg. John had an excellent all-round game with bat and ball and in the field.
After a dodgy start, I picked up my usual three jammy wickets (bowling Richard Abigail was particularly satisfying) and Neil Benn returned to remove Marchant when he looked well set. A total of 171 represented a good effort by Dodgers and we felt it was gettable provided we had a good start.
Our openers Andrew Crawford and John Cooper played well and kept the score going at the required rate. However, both were out without getting the big score threatened. Neil Priest responded superbly with a fine innings. After a quiet start, he attacked the bowlers with some aggressive shots, scoring twelve boundaries. At the other end, Neil Benn concentrated on giving his partner the strike but played some good shots himself. The pair added 103 for the third wicket. Mike Taylor helped by bowling six wides in one over.
After Neil Priest was out with the score on 152, our last recognised batsman John Hilary struck two fine boundaries off Taylor but was then out with us still needing nine. This presented a problem, with John Doyle at the crease and only me to come in, Kim having gone home with a stomach upset. Doyle promptly fell over when facing his first delivery and it was looking dodgy but Neil Benn kept his nerve. With scores level, Doyle launched another wild swing at the bowling. He missed by a mile and so did the field, as we ran a bye to clinch a satisfying victory with eleven balls to spare.
Superstars
Gigg c Matthews b Cooper 35
Conway b Hilary 36
Carter c Matthews b Hilary 0
Lomas lbw b Hilary 12
Whitrod b Cooper 11
Abigail b Pope 20
Davey b Cooper 8
Marchant b Benn 26
Taylor b Pope 6
Siva not out 1
Block lbw b Pope 1
Extras (b2, lb3, w8, nb2) 15
Total 171 all out
Bowling
Crawford 7-0-33-0
Benn 7-1-41-1
Hilary 7-0-30-3
Cooper 7-0-28-3
Pope 6.1-0-34-3
Dodgers
Crawford b Block 15
Cooper b Siva 20
Priest ct Conway b Block 80
Benn not out 26
Hilary ct Taylor b Block 10
Doyle not out 0
Extras (b3, lb4, w13, nb1) 21
Total 172 for 4
Bowling
Taylor 6.1-0-36-0
Block 7-0-23-3
Siva 7-0-26-1
Whitrod 7-0-26-1
Conway 5-0-26-0
Marchant 4-0-27-0
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