Under par Horsley still too strong for Merrow

Under par Horsley still too strong for Merrow

Merrow: 108 for 5 (20 overs)
Horsley: 109 for 3 (11.1 overs)

On a glorious evening for cricket Captain Collett was keen to bat first and pile on the runs. That was not happen as Merrow won the toss and elected to bat. Knowles was back from his break and was immediately causing problems and with his fourth delivery deceived opener and the bails were on their way to 'Wales'! After a loosener first up the impressive Rose started testing both batsmen with some good line and length beating each of them on several occasions. Then, with his final delivery he managed to find the finest of inside edges and Trimming, standing up to the wicket, took a smart catch. At first it looked as though the batsman was walking but when it became apparent he wasn't up went the finger! At 12 for 2 after four overs the fielding team fell into the trap of feeling the job was almost done and for a period the focus and intensity required was not apparent. During this time there was uncharacteristic fielding errors with a couple of chances going to ground. Michael Stewart was the pick of the bowlers bowling four tidy overs for only 12 runs and picking up a wicket in the process courtesy of a fine catch by younger brother Tim fielding at deep mid off. Seam bowler Yalden has been a handful for many batsmen this season and can consider himself unlucky not to have been in the wickets this match. Young Zain Hafiz also tested the batsman but like Yalden was unable to make the breakthrough. Both Hunt and Hernandez decided to bowl spin rather than their more traditional offerings but as runs flowed that was about to change! Hunt lengthened his run up and it was back to business as normal. Knowles then came back into the attack and at the other end captain Collet, sensing proceedings needed to be calmed, brought himself into the attack. It was Collet that brought an end to the lengthy fourth wicket partnership when having seen one land agonisingly close to a fielder then bowled the same delivery and Fox fielding in the covers did the rest. With the last ball of the innings Trimming, who had been impressive behind the stumps throughout the innings, ran out the number four batsman.

Merrow had scored 108 in their 20 overs which on a surface that seemed relatively true coupled with a racy outfield seemed 40 runs light.

When it comes to cricket nothing can be taken for granted; two or three quick wickets and suddenly the game takes on very different complexity. It was to be Hunt and the younger Stewart, Tim, to get Horsley underway. When Hunt is at the crease something is going to happen. Yet it was Tim Stewart that got things racing along with two quick boundaries one down to the third man boundary and the next a sumptuous and effortless drive through the covers. Not to be outdone Hunt then unleashed a series of swashbuckling shots around the ground. However he was to be bowled trying to hit past the bowler and on the way out saying to me 'I knew I shouldn't have played that shot'. 'Too late' I replied as he trudged off! This brought Michael Stewart to the crease and to a great cheer he hit his second ball to the third man boundary. It was nearly all over the very next ball when he was rapped on the pads but fortunately for him it was drifting down leg side and he was on leg stump so just missing. For the next five overs we were to enjoy the 'Stewart show' or should I say the 'Michael and Tim show' with Michael the aggressor and Tim the playmaker. How well they played mixing boundaries with cleverly taken singles, something they must have practiced at home. Looking to push the ball through mid wicket Tim slightly misjudged the pace and was caught one handed by the running fielder - another valuable innings from the younger Stewart - well done Tim. Michael went on the rampage with a couple of fine sixes. Just when it looked as though Stewart and Collett would see Horsley home Stewart was well caught in the covers. Collett took on the mantle of aggressor but so too did Trimming who clearly wanted an early bath! Boundaries flowed as these two classy batsmen took control and before we knew it was game over in the 12th over.

Not our best performance and in spite of some indifferent fielding at times this was another convincing victory. Tougher challenges await and the boys will need to stay focused throughout if they are to continue their winning ways but that is for another day - well done boys.

That's it for now

Best

Nigel