Petersfield 2s returned to their home ground to play local rivals Steep 2s.
Petersfield skipper Frank Straw decided to bat first as the opposition skipper called wrong on a very hot and humid day.
Dave Squires (31) had a new opening partner in Chris Wood (70) due to the number of changes in the 2s side with the start of the holiday season. The pair put on an opening stand of 118, by far the biggest of the season as they put the Steep bowling to the sword with Chris Wood especially looking in a ruthless mood as anything short on leg stump was dispatched. In the 14th over the pair had put on 64 and jokingly discussed getting to a 100 partnership and then going for a sit down and a cold beer. After drinks Chris pushed on looking very comfortable with Squires just giving the strike to his partner at every opportunity.
Local celebrity Jhon Cosgrove (3-21) came on and broke the partnership in the 25th over trapping Wood plum in front of middle stump. Will Jameson (17) joined Squires and started well pulling Ed Ellis (1-38) to the midwicket boundary. With Petersfield looking to take advantage of the superb start and push the score on Squires was caught at midwicket as he mistimed a full toss straight up in the air to be caught at midwicket. Squires trudged off having scored his highest league score with a 50 beckoning.
Rory Newman (4) joined Will Jameson but Rory departed in a similar way to Squires to a full toss off of Cosgrove. Jameson put on 20 for the 4th wicket with Andy Butcher (22) before Jameson was trapped LBW by Ellis. Jack Butcher (3) joined his father at the wicket and timed his first couple of shots beautifully through the covers before being caught at mid off.
Skipper Straw (9) came and went in 11 balls scoring 1 four before holing out to deep long off to returning opening bowler Callingham. This meant Petersfield were tottering on 178 - 7 and in danger of not getting maximum batting points in their pursuit of 3rd place, but Rich Stephens (19 not out) and Omar Iqbal (6 not out) put on 29 in 5 overs to get Petersfield to 207-7.
With a required run rate of just under 5 an over Steep started brightly despite an attack of flying ants as just like last year the little biting insects were coming up through the holes made by the stumps. After the ants flew off, Petersfield removed Callingham (2) in the 7th over thanks to a cutter from Omar Iqbal (1-12) to take out off stump. Chris Wood (1-12) bowling with a possible broken toe removed opener Gareth Dale (16) caught by Jameson at mid wicket. Petersfield kept a tight reign on the scoring and Steep only lost their third wicket with the score on 52 in the 19th over when Kiddle (6) was superbly pouched by Andy Butcher behind the stumps 1 handed off Steve Gibson (1-37).
Mike Burkie (11) hit some lusty blows as he put on 20 for the 4th wicket with skipper Ellis (70) hitting good balls for a couple of boundaries to try and change the momentum of the game. He was caught by sub fielder Adam Childs at long off (on for Chris Wood who had succumbed to his toe injury), giving Frank Straw (2-30) his first wicket. M Bugh (21) joined Ellis and put on 53 in 6 overs as some wayward bowling allowed Steep to think they could chase their total down as the run rate (despite the quick fire 50 partnership) continued to climb. When Bugh departed caught and bowled by Dan May (4-31) the score was 126 in the 34th over Steep needed 10 an over.
Ellis who had looked in no trouble at all for the whole of his innings was the 8th man out as he was caught at deep long off by Rory Newman off May who had also bowled Will Yates (0) in the same over. Rich Stephens (1-22) then trapped Jhon Cosgrove (0) plum in front of middle stump to wrap up the innings as Steep finished on 153 in the 41st over.
A great win for Petersfield which pushes them up to 4th in the table just half an average point behind 3rd place. Petersfield are at home again next week as they face US Portsmouth looking to continue their good run since defeat to Salthill 6 games ago
Man of The Match - Chris Wood
Scorecard- http://petersfield.play-cricket.com/website/results/2651413g
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