Petersfield 1s slip to 3rd

Petersfield 1st XI slip to third after loss to Longparish.

Longparish’s good all round seam attack were disciplined, patient and accurate. Harry Martin (10-1-32) was outstanding for Longparish, able to use a green patch on a length, he frequently bowled unplayable deliveries and frustrated Petersfield’s top order. Despite a fast outfield Petersfield could only limp to 75-3 after 22 overs. Thereafter, Shaun Blanks (46) played positively hitting an exquisite six off Martin. When he was caught off Alex Coetzee with 5 overs remaining any hope of reaching 200 faded and Petersfield were restricted to 173 all out. Coetzee finished with an impressive 6 wicket haul though in truth this had much to do with the pressure the other Longparish bowlers had managed to create.

After setting a low target Petersfield needed to be aggressive and take early wickets. However in stark contrast to Longparish’s opening bowlers, Petersfield were wayward and failed to utilise the helpful wicket and wasted the new ball. Opener Michael Taplin smashed 60 off 30 balls and Longparish made 73 from the first 7 overs; dropped twice while in the 20s and 30s, these misses would prove costly.

Undeterred, Petersfield refused to give up hope. Skipper Damian Carson turned to his slow bowlers Keith Gumbe (10-1-24) and Mark Stanley (10-2-14). Bowling in tandem, the run rate dramatically reduced, Carson then chipped in with 2 wickets of his own and at 132-5 Longparish were looking surprisingly shaky. However with 17 overs remaining it wasn’t to be and Longparish were able to nurdle their way over the line without taking any further risks.

A game to be forgotten, Petersfield were bitterly disappointed with their collective effort with only Blanks, Gumbe and Stanley performing to somewhere near their best. Petersfield will be back at The Heath on Saturday more determined to display their talent against Compton & Chandlers Ford.