Second Eleven match Reports

Hanslope (away) 12th June

2010-06-14T08:46:12Z

Match Report

Evenley 2’s v Hanslope (away)

After the much needed morale boosting victory over high riding MK Air, the second eleven travelled to Hanslope, for an earlier than usual start to be finished in time for England’s first group game of the World Cup. The team was missing four of last week’s players, and it would lead to an impact on the performance. Arriving early, all players participated in a warm up involving some much needed catching and general fielding practice prior to the start.

Evenley took to the field first, with Captain Scotty and Benny G opening the bowling. A steady start followed, although unfortunately Benny G pulled a hamstring after 2 overs, leading to the introduction of young Ben Patterson into the attack. Both Chris and Ben were steady and kept the run rate to just under 4 an over. The introduction of Graham Harman saw a rusty first over go for at least 12 before he finished a good tidy spell like the Graham of old. Graham picked up one wicket, an excellent reaction catch from Richard Darby as the batsman attempted to glance a ball going down leg to fine leg. Neil Bellingham, who bowled with decent pace, bowled with a good line and length, drawing the batsmen into missing a few straight balls picking up 3-45.

Scotty returned to finish up the overs from one end with a return of 3-35, with young Ben Patterson completing the overs at the other end, unfortunately not taking a wicket but bowling with good control and just needing a bit more luck. The fielding throughout the innings was decent, only one dropped catch. Despite the practice of groundwork fielding, a couple of noticeable occurrences of balls going through fielder’s legs leading to boundaries did nothing to please the skipper. Hanslope finished their innings at 167-8, the highest score being 41 from one of their openers.

After a very good and traditional cricket tea, Richard Darby and Graham Harman walked out to bat knowing that the score was definitely achievable and requiring a big score from one of them. After the first two overs went for a total of 16 runs, it was a promising start. However, one of Hanslope’s opening bowlers soon got into his stride with some good pace, bowling straight, full and with some swing. Richard (14) soon holed out a catch, which brought Benny G and his runner (Ben P) to the crease. Soon after, Graham dollied the simplest of catches up to the short leg fielder and the writing was on the wall for Evenley. Matty Rush walked out to bat but was soon returning, having got a plum LBW for 2. The batting frailties often seen this season soon reappeared without the stability offered by Simon Walker (who had been called up to the firsts) and soon wickets fell regularly. With the exception of Ben Patterson (who was out for 14, joint top score), all the batsmen were out cheaply.

Evenley were all out for 57, probably the most abject batting performance seen in recent memory for the second eleven. Both Hanslope’s opening bowlers finished with 5-25 and 4-32 respectively. The tone was set right from the start of the innings and unfortunately there was just no resistance.

Summary: Although the squad was far from full strength, there should have been enough in the team to put up a better fight. General improvement in every aspect required if this team is to stay up in this division. Next week sees a tough home game to Middleton Cheney.

MK Air (home) 5th June

2010-06-07T07:51:56Z

Match Report

Evenley 2’s v MK Air

Six games into the season and Evenley 2’s had heads held high for a win today on the village green against MK Air, who were unbeaten with 3 wins and 2 draws.

The game started when Evenley were selected to bowl, they marched on in the sweltering heat as captain Scotty set the field and threw the ball to Benny Godber, who in his first two balls dismissed numbers 1 and 3 in quick succession, Evenley off to dream start. In stepped their number 4 batsmen taking Godber’s hatrick ball on the pad. Scotty’s second choice of bowler was Barney Williams who conceded a few boundries in the first over but when he got it right the batsmen were all over the place.

As the overs ticked by their number 4 was scoring very quickly, in reply Scotty brought on Neil Bellingham who in his first over restricted the batsmen to very few, a top first over for The Bellingham, After bowling well Williams was taken off and replaced with Julian “J Man” Walker whose spin was proving to be tricky for the batsmen slowing the run rate down. Overs moving on slowly, the batsmen soon found their eye and began the big shots once again, until a glimmer of hope shone when Bellingham bowled one down the leg and their big hitter miss-judged a flick and popped the ball up into the air, Williams was quickly onto it but sadly could not hold on and it slipped out of his hands. But Evenley would not let their heads drop and encouragement around the field was brilliant. The Bellingham had done his job and was replaced with fresh legs as Ben Patterson was selected to bowl, he struggled to find his length in the first over suffering precious fours although in the second he found a good length the 4# consequently hitting one straight up in the air falling to Matty Rush who dropped it, another buzz kill for Evenley. Never the less at the other end J Man was still bowling some peachers and rattling the batsmen up. Patterson was then replaced by Ben Godber who bowled superbly, picking up four wickets finishing on a very respectable 5-47 , Captain Scotty then replaced J Man bowling line and length which resulted in him taking 3 wickets and finishing on 3-18. The remaining two wickets were taken due to phenomenal fielding one from Barney Williams who managed to push the ball away from the boundary collected and returned it straight into Richard Darby who stumped the batsmen .

After tea Captain Scotty had to choose his first two opening batsmen and with MK hitting 199 he had to pick carefully. Making his mind up Richard Darby and Graham Harman stepped up to the wicket knowing they had to hit runs but also bat sensibly. Unfortunatley due to a stunning catch in the slips Graham was dismissed early, which brought out Simon Walker. Shortly after, Darby was caught by another astonishing catch in the slips - things not looking too good for Evenley, never the less Scotty chose The Bellingham to enter with partner S. Walker who had been hitting a fair few. The pair began well and the run rate began to creep up, only to be stopped after Bellingham middled a sweet cover drive which unfortunately fell straight to mid-off. Things were getting tense so up stepped Benny G after his impresive bowling performance could he produce some batting genius as well? Yes was the answer! Tthe pair getting their eye in early and hitting big runs fast not to mention terroising the Evenley houses. Overs ticked on Simon hit his 50. Ben was hitting quick singles. The pair looked invincible until a ball was bowled short and Godber charged it but didn’t quite catch it as sweetly as he intended and was caught just short of the boundary, Benny G walked off with 45 runs to his name. On came Ben Patterson who was off the mark after his first ball. S.Walker faced next over but was bowled off stump, Evenley’s hearts sank as the main run scorer took the walk back. Captain Chris Scott followed up to partner Patterson. Knowing that they had to score six an over Ben and Scotty were quick between the wickets and hard hitting to the boundaries bringing the game ever closer to victory, but just as the pair found their feet, the captain was caught going for a smash over mid-off. All was not lost, however, as next in was Julian Walker with only 18 runs to get off 6 overs the pair batted out the remaining runs to seal the first win for the Evenley 2’s.

Overall the game showed that Evenley certainly have the ability and the passion to go far in the league and brimming with confidence will travel Hanslope.

Ben Patterson

Wardington (away) 17th May

2010-05-17T06:59:58Z

Match Report

Wardington V Evenley 2nd XI

Evenley 2's travelled to Wardington for the third fixture of the season. With the squad depleted from a variety of absences across the three teams, the skipper took several under 18's with him to take on a side for whom we have always enjoyed good needle matches with and Saturday was to prove no exception.

A sunny day with no rain in sight for a change, Captain Scott lost the toss and was inserted to bat. Evenley started well with Jimmy "Icky" Smith and Richard Darby scoring well and putting on a good opening partnership until Richard was trapped in front, LBW. Graham "Fricker" Harman joined Icky and continued to score well at three an over, until Icky was questionably given out LBW on 23. In came Georgie Fox, who got his second first baller, through the gate. In came Charlie Williams, one of several making their second team debut, and looked solid in his defence, striking the ball well. After some excellent glances and cutting of the ball, Fricker fell on 39 and Skipper Scott promoted himself to 6, and joined young Williams at the crease. Charlie fell shortly after, paving the way for Ben "super cool" Patterson, who marched out confidently. He played some nice shots, and supported the risky aerial hitting of the skipper who progressed to 33. Ben was caught one handed at gulley, a sweet shot played just little uppish. When the opening bowler came back on and bowled the skip, the elongated tail wagged nicely as Mikey Peyton-Bruhl, Charlie Allen, Oscar Browne and Tom Darby all stepped up to the plate and contributed debut runs for the team. We finished all out for 147, a defendable total, against a side that rely on their top order.

In reply, Captain Scott and Icky Smith opened up the bowling. Wickets fell at regular intervals, and the game was well set for an exciting finish. The Smithster bowled 8 overs straight through, for no wickets. Harman replaced Scott and in his first spell was a little expensive an so on came Ben Patterson for his debut bowling performance. At the other end was Charlie Williams and together the pair bowled very well, Ben particularly economical and Charlie deceiving the batsmen with his spin. After 6 overs each, Captain Scott and Harman came on to finish the match. Wardington stayed with the run rate most of the time, but lost regular wickets. Scott bowled economically taking 4 wickets, one of which was a superb catch by Oscar "bucket hands" Browne, who held onto a catch on the mid wicket boundary that had snow on it, to dispatch Wardington's captain and pinch hitter.

At one point, Wardington's chase rose to 4 an over, but their No.3 batsman played a cool innings to bring the chase within their grasp. Without him, they would have been in trouble.The attitude of every member of the Evenley was superb. For 10 overs around 25 overs gone, we could sense a victory was possible and our tails were up. Every single player, put in a superb fielding display, and the youngsters really excelled with their determination and commitment. The field was moving around a lot to combat the left hand/right hand batting combination. Sadly their young talent batted well, giving no chances for his unbeaten 50 and he went on to score them the winning runs in the 37th over!

The lads can be extremely proud of the way they played. Particular mention should go to the excellent fielding displays given by Charlie Allen and Oscar Browne who fielded as sweepers, got their body's behind the ball and with no fear, attacked the ball and always had good arms back to the keeper.

Although we fell short, I am extremely proud of the way the young lads conducted themselves in their debut match. Some of them will undoubtedly feature in the side on a regular basis, and they all showed great promise.

The Third Man.

Preston Bissett (home) 8th May

2010-05-09T07:38:16Z

Evenley V Preston Bissett

After the previous weeks fiasco, of no playing due to an alleged waterlogged pitch, we were determined to play cricket this week, despite the weather conditions that were against us from the start.

A delayed start due to rain, immediately reduced the match to 37 overs. Having won the toss, Preston Bissett were put into bat.

Ben Godber was hit for 10 off his first over, and Preston Bissett got off to a flyer, scoring at a rate of 6 an over from the first 10 overs. As Benny G then hit his straps, one of the openers was put down in the slips by the captain diving to his right to a fast and low chance (yes, I got my fingers to it , so It's in the book as a drop!). Benny G then re-deemed himself with the prize wicket of their opener, (undoubtedly one of the better batsmen of the division), clean bowling him. The rain interfered again and took another 40 minutes out of the game, reducing the match to 30 overs. At this point Preston Bissetts keenness to play stepped up a gear, as they realised they had a great total on the board off the first 10 overs. The cold and miserable conditions spread it's way through the team, as throughout the rest of our fielding display, we went on to drop EIGHT catches amongst us and allow some pretty goofy mis-fields that gave the momentum to Preston Bissett, continuing to score at 6 an over, throughout the innings petty much.

We struggled on as the rain continued to spit at us. Graham Harman bowled tightly in parts and took a couple of wickets, and new boy Chris Guy also had a couple of scalps. Adz Staples took the other big wicket, of their top scoring batsmen on 67, also clean bowled. Overall, the bowlers were expensive conceding at a rate of at least 5 an over. Although wickets fell at regular intervals, our opponents score of 177 for 7 of 30 overs was embellished by the mistakes in the field, and easily added 80 runs to their total. That old cliché of catches win matches, is certainly true in this case.

With a delayed tea, our reply did not commence until after 6pm. Richard Darby and Benny G started well for the first few overs until Ben holed out and was caught at deepish mid off. Richard was then trapped in front of his stumps for LBW and George Fox, could not resist the lure of the spin and as the red mist came down, he danced down the wicket and missed, being promptly stumped out on his first ball. Scotty was caught early, also at mid off, and Adz was bowled shortly afterwards for a duck. Chris Guy, played round a straight one and like a deck of cards, the team slowly collapsed around Graham Harman, who played an anchor role and some lovely shots until being bowled late in the innings. Matt Rush looked good initially with some tasty shots, but sadly did not last and Stevie Nowell, took over from Graham and showed some resistance, also with some fine off side stroke play, but was finally snared for the last wicket. He was supported by Chris Ellis at the end of the innings who hit a quick fire 7, before the spinner took his 6th wicket of the innings. Young Will Ellis saw off a couple of deliveries to be the not out batsman. Our wickets fell at alarmingly regular intervals, as we finished all out in the 22nd over, mustering a meagre 73 runs and losing by 104 runs.

In hindsight, the reluctance of P.Bissett to start, might have been our opportunity to have taken 10 points instead of 3!!!

In any event, onwards and upwards. We travel to Wardington next week, hopefully with some catching practice under our belts!

Skipper.

Gayton (away) 1st May

2010-05-02T07:18:00Z

Saturday 1st may

The Second Eleven match away to Gayton called of due to waterloged pitch, a visual inspection by one of our members would sugest otherwise. An appeal has been lodged with the South Northants League.