Evenley CC Match Report

Evenley CC vs Hinton in the Hedges ‘A’   10/07/2010

Evenley thirds travelled to the very much rural home ground of Hinton in the Hedges for our 11th game of the season. The only changes from last week being young Callum McCulloch (nephew of Tat) being drafted in for his debut. And Oscar Brown deputising as Wicket-keeper due to Olly Patterson’s late arrival into the team. Owing to the fact that we were familiar with the majority of the Hinton team, it was essential that we grabbed the win, or the gloating would be endless.

       The coin was tossed and the outcome meant Hinton were put into bat on an extremely dry wicket. We were in the dark as to how it would play until Reader opened the bowling. His line never wavered from the start, only two coming off the opening over. From the other end, the debutant Callum McCulloch was thrown the ball and instantly he impressed with his line and testing pace. Both kept the run rate down to around one an over after 8 overs play with only one four being hit. Despite this, we needed the breakthrough and Reader obliged with his obligatory swinging delivery taking the opener’s off stump to the floor and himself back to the clubhouse.

       It was to stay one down for a few overs, the batsmen struggling for any rhythmn, managing only a few singles. Their ‘torturous’ ordeal was ended by McCulloch, the 3rd batsmen swiping at a straight one and with the help off his pad, cannoned it straight onto the sticks. Now two down, but with the introduction of their best threat, a first team player Shaun Ellam, Hinton started to rebuild.

        But this wasnt for long as Jack Henn, only recently put on to bowl, managed to snare a top edge off the opener straight into the grateful hands of Olly Patterson. The fourth wasn’t far behind, Henn with a carbon copy of his first wicket, but this time the ball falling to impressive wicket keeper Oscar Brown. At this stage, Hinton were 37-4 after 16 overs. And it was to get worse for Hinton, danger batsmen Ellem playing a loose shot straight to square leg, and more importantly Andy Reader. Hinton were 44-5 and firmly on the back foot.

        Unfortunately we couldnt push the initiative through and Hinton moved onto 80-5 shortly after drinks. Thankfully, after a few overs toil, we got the vital sixth wicket, and in bizarre fashion too. Having bowled a no ball, the batsmen swung viciously and spooned it up to Tat Greatbatch. Brilliantly for us, the batsmen forgot you could still be run out on a no ball and subsequently wondered down the wicket. After some quick thinking from the ‘big man’ the bails were removed and the 42 run partnership ended. Now, the wickets began to come steadily. The 7th, for Peyton Bruhl, his second of the day. The batsmen not catching the drive correctly and floating it straight down Sammy ‘Scared of the Ball’ Holden’s throat, who mercifully held on. Wickets 8, 9 and 10 were to fall pretty routinely after that, despite a brief cameo from Lynham. A mention has to granted to O. Brown, who on his debut in the unfamiliar position of Wicket-Keeper managed to take 3 top notch catches. As for the finished total, Hinton had amassed 129 all out with the best figures (bowling wise) falling to Reader: 3-24 off 11 and McCulloch: 2-8 off 7.

        After a sumptious tea, including trifle which included Sammy making a fool of himself by covering his sandwiches in the stuff, as you do! Evenley were then to start there reply with Williams and Patterson as per usual. And the first two overs went without incident, Evenley moving on to 8 without loss. However, in the next, disaster struck. Patterson recieving a good length delivery that never got up, taking his off stump around about his ankles.

        Tat was in next and unbeliveably two balls later, he followed suit. In almost exactly the same way, this time his middle stick being removed off what can only be described as a ‘pea roller’. Williams followed an over later, but his time, nicking one around his throat to the Keeper. I think you could say it was a difficult pitch to read!

        Evenley were on 10- 3 off 4 overs and in deep trouble. Reader was in next, in his pursuit of another substantial contribution. And thats partly what he did, putting on 21 with the again impressive Peyton Bruhl (who had came in fourth). Mikey demonstrating some excellant timing. Unfortunatly, at the other end, Read was having no such luck.  And was to go with the score on 31. McCulloch was in next and showed us his ability to bludgeon the ball to all parts.

        Mikey was to go next however, being bowled by a swinging delivery by Ellam. Batsmen Henn and Stevens went without troubling the scorers too badly, both back for 1. The trail of wickets continued with McCulloch halling out for one too many, going caught on the boundary for 17. It was pretty much it from then on with the score on 51-8. The last two wickets came abrubtly, Evenley eventually struggling to a pitiful score of 56 all out. A loss of 73 runs.

        It was fair to say this was a nightmare match for Evenley. But best to get it out of the system before Priors next week! Thanks to some results going are way, we are still very much in the hunt, tied for 3rd place. We’re all very much in the mood for what will be a tough battle next Saturday with the mentality that anything is possible.

Olly Patterson.