LM edge thriller Long Marston welcomed Aldenham CC for a timed matched on another sun-baked day at Marlins. Captain Beesley inevitably lost the toss and Aldenham chose to bat on what looked like a fine batting track. Bounders and Matt “Stiffler” Gibson opened the bowling for LM. The Geordie soon profited from some accurate lines as Aldenham’s openers both fell early, the first pinned in front and the second lobbing an awful half tracker to Chris West at cover. LM’s resident metronome Pete Woodruff then made an immediate impact as he bowled their No.4, top of off with his third ball. Luke “Spiderman” Parker came on at the other end and despite bowling in some encouraging areas Barot, the Aldenham No.3, went through the gears against him and soon passed 50 as Aldenham reached 80-3 at drinks. After the break Parker did get his revenge though, with Barot flicking straight to the safe hands of West at square leg. Alec Alec Lee was next to have a bowl and having tested the athleticism of wicketkeeper Chris Slade with some erratic deliveries he took a wicket, bowling the batsman through the gate. LM’s left arm spin twins, West and Ed Robinson, were next, with Aldenham’s late middle order looking to get on top of them. West, in particular, conceded too many boundaries from his first few over’s, without really bowling badly. The attacking partnership was broken eventually though, as one of the batsmen picked out Bounders at mid off off Robinson. After that the spin attack ripped through the Aldenham tail, bowling them out for 197 from 40ish over’s. There were two more wickets for Ed and 2 for the unusually expensive West. Good catches were taken by Beesley (2), Gibson and James Cockbain. LM’s opening pair of West and Cockbain began the repost confidently until West was out to a slightly dubious LBW with the ball tailing back into him. Beesley was in at three, and he and Cockbain made hay in what now was perfect conditions for batting. The captain dominated the stand with some flowing drives and powerful cuts; putting LM on course at 97-1 off 16 over’s at drinks. He continued to attack afterwards, and with the game drifting away from Aldenham, spinners were brought on from both ends. This move paid off, with Beesley trying one too many sweeps and was given out LBW to Barot for a fine 91. Horse, primed on Pedigree and fresh from some skilful footwork in the field, was next. He didn’t hang around for long though, as Barot beat his mow second ball with a (really) straight one. As Cockbain continued his slow progress against the spin, Slade came and went LBW to Aldenham’s experienced leg spinner. All of a sudden Aldenham’s bowlers sensed an opening and Alec Alec Lee was next to go, followed soon after by Robinson to a sharp slip catch off Barot. With Spiderman Parker caught at mid-wicket for four, the equation became 42 off 10 over’s with only 3 wickets remaining. That soon was two wickets with Bounders out to the leggie. Next came the in-form 3rds skipper Pete Woodruff and with Cockbain he managed to whittle down the required runs before perishing with 30 remaining. So it was left to the permanently injured No.11 Gibson to see LM home and he went about it in his own destructive style, taking the leggie for 3 hard hit fours in one over. The Aldenham skipper and opening bowler brought himself back to bowl the penultimate opener with LM, one wicket remaining, needing 5 to win. However, Cockbain (55 N.O) kept his head and forced Gibson through for a hobbled two to secure victory. Thank you to Aldenham CC for an exciting days cricket, to Gibbo for ignoring Bees’ edge to trigger him and set up a tense finish! Next up for us North Mymms at Marlins, an important game in our quest for Chess valley promotion. MoM- Bees for his match-winning 91, and for dubbing Barot Borat, A nickname for life.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Jul 2013 19:54:55 +0000
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