Petersfield vs Portsmouth Community

Petersfield vs Portsmouth Community Petersfield lost by 1 run So close..... what a game. Portsmouth is a weird place. A week last Friday saw driving rain, howling wind and standing water in Petersfield. Yet the sun had shone all day at Drayton, so a slightly bemused U15 side set off to play Portsmouth Community. The sun had long since gone by the time we arrived and on a grey, blustery, bitterly cold evening, a great game of cricket ensued. Batting first on a pudding of a wicket that had the consistency of a Victoria sponge, Portsmouth Community struggled to a total of 62 for 3 off their 20 overs. The powerfully built Turner (18) and Palmer (17 n.o.) coped best with the difficult conditions. It was a great effort by all our bowlers, with Squires (1 for 7 off 4) and Broadhurst (2 for 9 off 3) the standout performers. Special mention for Ben Turk on his U15 debut, who conceded a miserly 3 runs off his 3 overs, and Josh Rolison, who was excellent in the field in his first game for the side. Although a low score, it was always going to be a challenge for our batsmen, with the bounce low and getting lower and the pace of the wicket glacial, making timing the ball almost impossible. An outfield which may have had some cows grazing on the long grass didn't help our cause; neither did an old ball in use since the beginning of the match. In a dogged run chase, Petersfield were always in the game, especially with the extra power of Dan Parry (14) and Rob Straw (12) at the crease. In an exciting climax, with Straw and Squires running everything and Portsmouth under pressure, it all came down to the last ball - two runs needed to win. What a time for opening bowler Barlow to bowl a well-directed yorker, which Straw was not quite able to get away. So the narrowest of victories for Portsmouth Community, but a brave effort by our lads. The wicket was difficult but the same for both sides and it was a good lesson for the U15s on how to adapt to tricky conditions. Credit to Portsmouth, who deserved to win – just about – because they adapted slightly quicker than we did to the wicket, bowled well at the death and took a string of outstanding catches. Nevertheless, the U15s deserve a lot of credit for fighting hard and nearly pulling off an incredible win. Cricket can be a tough game sometimes... Petersfield lost by 1 run So close..... what a game. Portsmouth is a weird place. A week last Friday saw driving rain, howling wind and standing water in Petersfield. Yet the sun had shone all day at Drayton, so a slightly bemused U15 side set off to play Portsmouth Community. The sun had long since gone by the time we arrived and on a grey, blustery, bitterly cold evening, a great game of cricket ensued. Batting first on a pudding of a wicket that had the consistency of a Victoria sponge, Portsmouth Community struggled to a total of 62 for 3 off their 20 overs. The powerfully built Turner (18) and Palmer (17 n.o.) coped best with the difficult conditions. It was a great effort by all our bowlers, with Squires (1 for 7 off 4) and Broadhurst (2 for 9 off 3) the standout performers. Special mention for Ben Turk on his U15 debut, who conceded a miserly 3 runs off his 3 overs, and Josh Rolison, who was excellent in the field in his first game for the side. Although a low score, it was always going to be a challenge for our batsmen, with the bounce low and getting lower and the pace of the wicket glacial, making timing the ball almost impossible. An outfield which may have had some cows grazing on the long grass didn't help our cause; neither did an old ball in use since the beginning of the match. In a dogged run chase, Petersfield were always in the game, especially with the extra power of Dan Parry (14) and Rob Straw (12) at the crease. In an exciting climax, with Straw and Squires running everything and Portsmouth under pressure, it all came down to the last ball - two runs needed to win. What a time for opening bowler Barlow to bowl a well-directed yorker, which Straw was not quite able to get away. So the narrowest of victories for Portsmouth Community, but a brave effort by our lads. The wicket was difficult but the same for both sides and it was a good lesson for the U15s on how to adapt to tricky conditions. Credit to Portsmouth, who deserved to win – just about – because they adapted slightly quicker than we did to the wicket, bowled well at the death and took a string of outstanding catches. Nevertheless, the U15s deserve a lot of credit for fighting hard and nearly pulling off an incredible win. Cricket can be a tough game sometimes...