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Chetnole
v Cerne Valley Home Friendly
20 July 08
The
howling gale making play tough at the Open Golf and clearly not to the
England teams liking at Headingley adds a challenge to the afternoon return
fixture with Cerne Valley. Chetnole struggle for a side for the first time
this season but it gives an opportunity for the youngsters to turn out and
volunteer Stuart Beasley
to skipper for the first time. Two
newcomers from the Westlands Academy make their debut as Cerne win the toss
and have a bat. Although not
looking strong on the bowling front, Stuart handles things magnificently and
is rewarded with an early wicket for Bob Healey with an outstanding caught
and bowled. Well done the big guy! Ed
Clarke chips in and it looks difficult for Cerne as they slip to 10 for 2.
Fully cognisant of the Friendly nature of the game, Stuart turns to
Kev Johnson to bowl, off which a fine catch by debutant Richard Parker sees off
another Cerne batsman. The other debutant, Pete Ostler, joins in the fun with some
tight bowling and a wicket, well caught by the now reliable Dan Grant.
In
an inspired piece of skippering, Stuart get twins Dan and Ryan Grant bowling in
tandem and each takes a wicket, perfect symmetry!
At 81 for 6 off 18, it all looks over and this quickly becomes 81 for
7. After drinks, Richard Parker
and Rod Yeatman get to turn their arm and Cerne stage something of a recovery, 103
for 7 off 24. A quiet period
ensues as neither bat nor ball has the ascendancy and Richard and Rod plough
on well. Bob returns to remove another wicket assisted by a fine catch by Ed
Clarke
The
skipper decides enough is enough and his first ball results in a classic
fast bowlers wicket well taken by Dai Maude behind the stumps.
172 all out….Challenging, we thought!
Skipper
Stuart takes the bold decision to open with himself and Dai and his boldness
is rewarded as he tries to outdo his previous weeks spectacular knock with a
quickfire 79. Dai watches in
awe as an outstanding catch in the deep is a fitting end to this spectacle which has seen Chetnole to
a safe position. Hasn’t it? Enter
Richard Parker, the Goweresque left hander who plays a sublime straight
drive, a cruel piece of luck sees the ball dribble
onto the stumps and dislodges a bail to end a start full of promise and
leaves the scene open for Dai and Kev. Batting steadfastly together they saved the day as
they have done on more than one occasion, most recently at Pitney. Kev eventually succumbs, allowing Pete Ostler to
experience the Chetnole atmosphere and, again, a promising looking start is
terminated, this time by a good yorker. A brief appearance by Dan is followed by ‘Finisher’ Bob
to wrap up the innings in style. Dai still watches in awe.
A
cracking afternoons cricket, a smashing tea provided by Stuart and Sam and
some good firsts, Stuart’s skippering, Richard and Pete playing, Dai
carrying his bat. Bring on
Coker.
Score
Board
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