The last day of the season is always a sad time in any cricket clubs calendar,but this turned out to be doubly sad as Petersfield lost dramatically to Hambledon on a warmer than usual day at Hambledon Cricket Club.
Petersfield's captain Marcus Sampson changed his call on the coin toss (having not lost a toss all season) and Petersfield were asked to field. With Richard Stephens (0-20 off 6 overs) and Billy Maisey (0-11 off 4) keeping a very tight strangle hold on the Hambledon openers, they forced them into 1 risky single too many when Oscar Windebank and Richard Stephens combined to run out Champman (5) to give Petersfield the breakthrough their bowling deserved. Petersfield kept it very tight for the next 15 overs or so with Mark (the grey bear) Holloway (0-20 off 5) very unlucky not to pick up Mcgrath (57) with some lovely deliveries which somehow missed the stumps. He was superbly aided in his endeavors by Oscar Windebank (3-9 off 7) who had the Hambledon upper middle order in complete disarray with a spell worthy of any game of cricket which included a double wicket maiden. Hambledon recovered and took advantage of some tired bowling from Petersfield's medium pacers before Chris Russell (3-19 off 3) gained a measure of control back in to proceedings. Hambledon ended on 191-9 after some lusty blows in the last over spoiling Chris's figures somewhat.
Petersfield's reply started well with James Stratford Tuke (4) and John Mcguire (77) putting on 48 before James got an accurate ball which bounced about 2 inches off the ground before taking middle stump out. John and number 3 Billy Maisey (21) then took the score along nicely up to drinks with John bringing up his 50 with a glorious punch through the covers for 4. At drinks John decided that he could not continue as his knee and calf were playing up and so he retired hurt. This unfortunately brought about a the demise of Gabriel Broadhurst first ball, Richard Stephens 2nd ball, Mark Holloway 1st ball, Dave Squires 2nd Ball, Simon Dodd 1st ball and Oscar Windebank 1st ball to give 1 hatrick to S Le Clerq (5-11 off 6) and M Le Clerq (1-9 off 1.3) some remarkable bowling figures. This was a batting collapse of mighty proportions and only Billy Maisey, Chris Russell (14), Marcus Sampson (11 not out) and the returning John McGuire getting bat on ball. This collapse left Petersfield all out for 153.
Petersfield were left in a state of shock having seemingly had the game comfortably in control at around 20 overs. So the season ends on a low note but as ever the Sunday Xi was good fun with some superb banter within the team and with the opposition. It has been a difficult season with the weather but a reasonable season was had and Marcus was very happy with how things went although a few games got away from us.
The author’s man of the match (do not forget to vote on Teamer.net) was John McGuire's 77 which lit up an otherwise disappointing day. Special mention for Oscar Windebank who showed when on form he is one of the most effective bowlers at the club.
Comedy moment of the day goes to Dave Squires who bowled a ball, fell over, pitched about 5 yards in front of his sprawled body and still managed to get the ball down the other end for a dot ball (one of the few balls he managed to get straight all day)
Already looking forward to next season
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| Simon Dodd with his award for the best Tea's of the season before the game. |
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