Petersfield Second XI vs Ashford Hill

Petersfield Second XI vs Ashford Hill

Petersfield won by 36 runs

With only 7 players available on the Friday evening, things weren't looking too hopeful for the second XI's visit to Ashford Hill last weekend. But some frantic phone calls and last minute recruitment of the unsuspecting meant that a motley collection of youngsters, Sunday and third team players, dads and a light sprinkling of second team regulars made the long trip to Newbury with the aim of having some fun. It turned out so much better than that.

On a searingly hot day, Petersfield batted first and got off to a great start, father-and-son combination Clive and Henry Shore putting on 63 for the first wicket, making the most of some dropped catches, with Henry (67) in particular hitting some scorching shots to match the weather.

This set a great foundation for Ollie Shapley, straight off a plane, to play his shots in a lively knock of 36. Stand-in skipper Shaun Blanks held the middle order together with a disciplined 25, before some big hitting from Charles (20) in a frenetic 8th wicket partnership with Thomas took 'Field's total to a competitive 196. Game on!

With the wicket very two-paced, Blanks decided pace off the ball was the answer and opened with The Two Bears: Mark 'Grey Bear' Holloway and Liam 'Brown Bear' Charles. The bold decision paid off handsomely, both bowlers combining brilliantly to rip the heart out of the Ashford Hill top order. Holloway, with 3 for 39 (an athletic caught & bowled will live long in the memory!) and Charles, 3 for 36, bowled unchanged for 20 overs and were a real threat throughout - an outstanding performance.

Josh Phipps and Rory Newman continued to apply the pressure, the latter picking up a well deserved wicket. Ashford Hill were always behind the rate and, with wickets falling at vital times, were never allowed to build a substantial partnership. The fielding was sharp, with Phipps and Henry Shore taking crucial catches, Shore's a brilliant effort close in.

Matt Salmon, leaping around behind the stumps like a, er, salmon, also pouched a couple, using his body to good effect as he was blinded by the sun, which was directly behind the bowler's arm. This also caused plenty of difficulties for the batsmen, and no little controversy, either. Unsighted, they took a few blows to the hands from the occasional (accidental, honest) low full toss. Words were exchanged....

The last thing Field's opponents expected or wanted then was to see Blanks steaming in as third change. They had no answer as the captain finished off the lower-middle order (2 for 11 off 6). Despite some hitting out at the end, the damage had been done: Ashford Hill all out for 160.

This was a wonderful effort from a scratch Petersfield outfit who, nonetheless, thoroughly deserved the win, played some great cricket, and above all showed terrific team spirit. Everyone contributed, whether it was Phil 'the Panther' Newman patrolling the fine leg boundary or Richard 'the Antelope' Thomas right under the batsman's nose at silly mid off... Ashford Hill simply didn't know what hit them.

The whole extraordinary match was probably best summed up by Liam Charles' magnificent running catch in the deep to seal the victory, Charles then charging off around the outfield in full Alan Shearer celebration mode, hotly pursued by the entire Petersfield team (well, those still able to move).

A famous victory.