Wednesday, 27 August 2014

MATCH REPORT: Langley Manor 3s vs Petersfield 2s

The 2s suffered an agonising defeat to Langley Manor by 7 runs, which leaves our promotion hopes in the balance.

Losing the toss, amazingly for the first time this season, skipper Stephens and the Petersfield attack couldn’t prevent 'the Manor' from making a brisk start but then fought back superbly to bowl them out for 143 – a great effort in the circumstances.

The catching and ground fielding was not up to ‘Field’s usual standards (the rock-hard, rutted outfield may have played a part in that) but it was one of the best performances of the season from the bowling unit against a side that was among the division’s high flyers. Chris Russell led the way with 4 for 38, but Keith Gumbe (3 for 29) and Chris Wood (2 for 33) weren’t far behind.

Petersfield started cautiously in reply against an accurate attack on a track that was now showing appreciable turn and variable bounce. The abrasive conditions meant the ball was quite soft and scoring was difficult.

Unfortunately wickets fell at regular intervals and it wasn’t until Russell (36) and Stephens (31*) bravely took the attack to their opponents with some clean hitting that the momentum began to shift in Petersfield’s favour. However we were always a beat or two behind the rate and when Russell holed out going for another big hit, that was that.

It could have been worse: Langley Manor 1s scored 434 for 5 in their match! So the Glorious 2s aren’t quite out of the promotion hunt, but need a max points win and other results to go in our favour on Saturday. The team will certainly be giving it everything and fighting to the bitter end at the Heath against OTs and Romsey 3s.

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