Petersfirld Sunday XI v Purbrook

Petersfield Sunday XI played their first game at the Heath on an overcast afternoon, with the weather closing in it was agreed by both captains to play a 30 over game instead of the usual 40 overs. Captain Marcus Sampson lost the toss and Petersfield were asked to field. Returning player Ed Davenport (0-26 off 4) and Sunday stalwart Dave Squires (0-22 off 4) opened the bowling and despite the ball swinging, Purbrook’s M Lee (59) and O McKenzie (33) punished anything short from the Petersfield opening bowlers and pushed the score along at around 6 an over in an opening stand of over 50 before McKenzie was bowled as a straight one from Simon Dodd (2-30 off 5) kept low and hit the stumps about a 3rd of the way up. Dodd removed J Biffing (4) in the same over as he got an outside edge which looped to vice captain Chris Russell at 2nd slip, it was a real slow motion catch as it seemed to take an age to get to Chris but as ever he was as cool as a cucumber to take the catch and give Simon his 7th wicket already this season. Chris Russell (0-25 off 5) and Dodd were causing problems for the batsmen with both very unlucky not to pick up wickets with Mark Holloway not having the best of days in the field as the ball literally followed him round the ground. A comment from skipper that even if Mark was in the pavilion the ball would have followed him in here as well. Despite the missed chances the scoring rate slowed with Liam Charles (2-22 off 6) and Rob Allerston (1-39 off 6) bowling some lovely stuff before Liam removed the stubborn opener Lee for 59 caught by Cam Clarke at square leg as Petersfield finally held a catch. J Biffing was superbly caught and bowled by Rob Allerston as he leapt with both feet off the ground. It was a pity the photographer from the Post was not there as it really was a spectacular catch especially as the light drizzle had arrived at that point. Purbrook swung the bat at the end and finished on what looked a competitive total of 160. With the rain continuing to fall it was decided to skip the tea till after the game had finished. Purbrook removed opener Bob Wemyss (4) as he mistimed a drive to cover. This bought Will Rice (88 not out) to join Cam Clarke (62) as the Petersfield pair made batting look ridiculously easy, Purbrook were struggling to keep the ball dry as it was dispatched to all parts of the ground. Will Rice especially looked at his fluent best as he came in and just put the bowlers to the sword with an exhibition of stroke play not seen on a Sunday for many a year, as he hit 10 fours and 4 sixes in his 88. Cam Clarke who after a slow start also joined in the fun with 9 fours and 2 sixes in his 62 before he tried an outrageous reverse sweep as the partnership was broken wth the score on 154. Chris Russell was not impressed as he came out to face 3 balls making Will run a quick 2 to keep him on strike enabling Rice to hit the winning runs as a comprehensive victory was achieved with 10.4 overs to spare. Moment of the match has to be Mark Holloway's dive at mid off trying to jump to catch the ball, which unfortunately was not timed very well as he was on the way down as the ball passed his hand. Man of the match goes to Will Rice for his superb innings. He will hope to take that type of form into the new league season.