MATCH REPORT: Petersfield topple rivals Steep in pre-season encounter

Petersfield and Steep 1^st XIs fought out a competitive pre-season friendly at a chilly Steep cricket ground on Saturday.

Winning the toss and batting first, Steep initially found the going slow thanks to excellent opening spells from Blanks (8-2-35-3) and promising youngster Turk (8-3-24-2). McCubbin and Ellis managed to steady the ship before counter attacking effectively in an 82-run partnership for the 4^th wicket.

Spinner Gumbe did well to pick up two wickets as Steep flung the bat to finish on 164 for 7 off their 40 overs.

Petersfield’s response was built around club captain Spencer’s powerful 49 (unluckily run out at the non-striker’s end when a straight drive was deflected onto the stumps) with useful contributions from Broadhurst and the Carson brothers.

However Steep’s bowlers kept plugging away – Stanton in particular outstanding with 2 for 9 off 9 overs – until a positive seventh wicket partnership between Rice and Thomas, with the pressure beginning to mount, took ‘Field over the line to win by 4 wickets.

Scoreboard
http://petersfield.play-cricket.com/website/results/2523254