The Westfield Saints 2nd XI registered their first win away to Old Tenesonians after a gritty performance with both bat and ball.
Mick Bailey had a strengthen squad after last weeks defeat with batsmen Matthew Lock dropping down from the 1sts and Paul Norris coming back from a spell at Brighton & Hove CC.
In near perfect cricket conditions Bailey had no hesitation in batting first on what seemed a batsmen’s pitch. Opening with himself and Lock a score of around 200 would seem defendable.
The Saints openers started well, Mick Bailey anchoring the innings along while Matthew Lock scored quickly with some nice cover drives, and looking confident in scoring a big innings. With the ball doing a bit off the pitch the pair saw off the new ball and were 35 without loss after 10 overs. Lock then soon departed the crease after being bowled through the gate from a slower ball by the left arm seamer. Liam Abbott didn’t stay for long after being bowled by the lefty after a loose stroke.
With Mick Bailey still blocking Steven Jenkins was the next wicket to fall, again to the lefty, a ball which kept a little low took Steven’s middle stump out as he was bowled through the gate.
With Tom Woods arriving at the crease the Saints were in serious trouble as the Tenesonians looked to rattle through the middle and lower order. Woods however didn’t stay for long being bowled by yet another left arm bowler.
The big hitting James Pembrooke was the next to Saint to join the skipper Mike Bailey to the crease, deaf to his captains pleas to block Pembrooke dispatched the tenesonians bowling to all parts of the ground. This included a massive six at cow despite a fielder being on the fence for that very shot. Pembrookes quick fire 34 ended when he produced one big shot too many and skied one to mid-on which was caught by an elderly Tenesonian.
Paul Norris on his return to Saints cricket was a welcome relief after a very attacking innings by Pembrooke. Norris alongside the gritty innings of Mick Bailey chipped away at the bowling attack giving the Saints a chance at reaching a score of 150-160. Just as things were looking better for the Saints Mick Bailey’s gritty knock came to end after being bowled for 37. Greg Dillon looked comfortable at the crease before being trapped plumb LBW before a mix up between Sarah Midwinter and Paul Norris left the village idiot walking back for a gritty 22. Compo spent a few overs at the crease before being bowled leaving Sarah Midwinter not out on 2.
This left the Dolphins on a disappointing total of 144, but with Paul Norris bowling strictly pace their was every chance the Saints could dismiss their opponents.
It didn’t take long for the Saints to strike, a fast yorker by Norris was too quick for the Tenesonian skipper who departed for a single run. With Compo bowling tightly from the other end Norris was able to make use of the pressure by trapping the Tensonian number 3 plumb LBW.
By now the Saints were flying, John Gould was bowling fantastically well and was unlucky not to get a wicket before he trapped the batsmen in front to give the Saints their 3rd wicket. Once he got his first the veteran claimed his second scalp bowling yet other elderly tenesonian batsmen who looked uncomfortable at best.
The saints were frustrated for the 5th wicket however as the wicket keeper batsmen played and missed and used the inside edge onto his own (rather large) pads to great effect. The Saints however were partially to blame as Liam Abbott and Steven Jenkins both put down sharp chances.
However Mick Bailey’s persistence paid off when the young batsmen played onto his own stumps sending the Saints wild. It was only 2 balls later when Bailey claimed his second scalp, the batsmen driving on the up to Lock at short mid off who made no mistake with the catch.
Sarah Midwinter put a difficult chance down on the dangerous number 5 down before Mick bailey claimed his 3rd wicket, finding the edge of the batsmen which Greg Dillon snaffled with ease. Paul Norris came on for his second spell, replacing the tired John Gould and instantly took a wicket as the batsmen swung himself off his feet and Liam Abbott took the catch with ease.
The Old Tenesonians were dismissed a few minutes later when the batsmen drilled the ball at Lock who once again took a clean catch to seal 20 points for the Saints and move them up the Fullers League table.