Petersfield II started the league season in fine style with a comprehensive win
against Rowledge III on the Heath. It was a very encouraging start to the season
with every player contributing, although man-of-the-match honours go to Alex
Thomas for steering the side to victory with an unbeaten 69.
New captain, Richard Stephens won the toss and put Rowledge in to bat on a
wicket still soft after all the recent rain. Great credit must go to Andy Salmon and
his groundsmen for not only making the Heath look a picture, but also producing a
consistent track and smooth outfield which had been partly submerged earlier in the
week.
The Rowledge openers started confidently against Ed Davenport and Keith Gumbe
but Smith began to show his liking for short pitched deliveries despatching a number
of boundaries. Gumbe though bowled with great accuracy, only conceding 22
runs in his first 8 overs and claimed the first wicket of Silver. Ben Cox replaced
Davenport and although he bowled a good length, was punished with anything off-
line. By the half-way point of their innings, Rowledge were 89-1 and heading for a
200 plus total. The introduction of spinners, Chris Russell and Chris Wood changed
the complexion of the game with only 21 runs coming in the next 10 overs for the
loss of 4 wickets. Wood claimed the wicket of Smith smartly caught by Thomas and
then Openshaw, off a skier very well held by Cox, running backwards. Russell also
picked up 2 wickets in his 10 overs.
Each of the remaining Rowledge batsmen were contained by the Petesfield
spinners, including Stephens (2-6) and Gumbe (3-36) and the innings closed at 165-
9. The home bowlers were backed up by enthusiastic and effective fielding and
catching by the whole team.
In reply, Petersfield openers, Alex Thomas and Rob Allerston began to build the
innings slowly against accurate bowling from the visitors. Allerston (17) departed
with the score on 30 and although Rory Newman did not last long, the home team
reached the half way mark on only 50-2. However, Thomas and Bob Weymiss
did not panic and gradually accelerated the scoring. Weymiss in particular timing
the ball well off the back foot, whilst Thomas kept the scoreboard ticking with good
running between the wickets. Weymiss was caught for a quick 28 which brought in
Liam Charles who continued to accelerate the run-rate, with a mixture of powerful
hitting and good running. These two added an unbeaten stand of 62 with Thomas
finishing on 69 and Charles 35. This was a very encouraging performance by a
young Petersfield side, with a lot of maturity shown, particularly by the batsmen.
Thomas in particular, displayed a wide variety of strokes all around the wicket and
fittingly, hit the winning runs.
Rowledge
P Silver lbw b Gumbe 10
G Smith c Thomas b Wood 62
T Openshaw c Cox b Wood 15
R Fulham b Russell 15
C Littleford c Wood b Russell 11
L Rogers c Wemyss b Stephens 24
B Kremble c Wood b Stephens 2
M Simpson not out 6
P Sage b Gumbe 6
Extras 13
Total 165 for 9
Bowling: Gumbe 3-36, Stephens 2-6, Wood 2-33, Russell 2-34
Petersfield
A Thomas not out 69
R Allerston b Fulham 17
R Newman c Openshaw b Kremble 5
R Wymess c and b Sage 28
L Charles not out 35
Extras 11
Total 166 for 3
Bowling: Fulham 1-17, Kemble 1-30, Sage 1-65
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