(Written by P. I. EMAN)
Chetnole CC Versus Cerne Abbas CC
Readers Mid Wessex League, Division 3 Clash.
Sunday 22 August 2004
Chetnole CC were brought down to earth on Sunday with a very loud bump.
Spirits were high in the camp for the away to trip to the beautifully picturesque Cerne Abbas. However last minute injuries to key players Stan Kemp, Mark Spearing and Rob Barker, meant Chetnole had to invest in their burgeoning youth policy once more.
The team were boosted by the return of Chetnole’s all rounder Kevin Johnson, and wicketkeeper batsman Dai Maude.
On a pleasant but breezy afternoon, Chetnole won the toss and opted to bat on a ‘greenish and damp’ wicket. Spirits were still high, and the Chetnole lads were buzzing after last week’s superb victory.
Dai Maude and Kevin Johnson opened the batting, and always looked comfortable against steady bowling by Cerne. Dai Maude, classic in his stroke play and always upright, and Kevin Johnson, gutsy and determined. These two batted together for 11 overs and put on 13 runs, of which 5 were extras.
Andrew Ashmore, Chetnole’s leading rotund run scorer, strode to the crease, and together with Johnson put on 26 runs in no time. Ashmore always looking in command, batted confidently, before chasing a wide one and getting a top edge as he looked to push the score along. He fell for 16 delightfully crafted runs. At 40 for 2 off 20 overs, Chetnole needed to get their foot on the accelerator.
In came Stuart Beasley, the young and excitable cub from Dorch, to assist Johnson who remained defiant and strong. Beasley was looking in commanding form before being caught superbly at leg slip for 9, admittedly unluckily so. Johnson remained, calm and serene, as Stuart Bell strode to the crease.
At 51 for 3 Chetnole needed a partnership, before the gutsy Johnson departed for 13 valuable runs, unluckily bowled. At 51 for 4, Chetnole needed another partnership, and Rodney Yeatman ably assisted Stuart Bell. Bell, uncharacteristically defending his wicket with some stout defensive shots, mixed with awesome power. One six he hit towards cow corner was Flintoff like. These 2 stayed in till the score was 67, and the unlucky Stuart Bell was bowled by the quicker ball for 12. Rodney Yeatman battled on valiantly with Captain Neil Spearing who looked in fine touch, before being out to a superb one handed catch in the deep.
Chetnole at 67 for 5 in the 32nd over, capitulated like a British swimmer at the Athens Olympics. 71 all out in 34 overs. Chetnole’s last 5 batsmen scored 0. Young Dazza Rowe’s first game back, and he was superbly yorked.
Credit has to go the superb and tight bowling of fielding of Cerne. Bainy bowled 2 overs of 4 runs and 4 wickets! Wardlow took 3 for 9 off 7 overs, and he is on a hatrick for next week!
The disappointment was soon over for the Chetnole batsmen once they saw the wonderful tea laid on by their hosts. The smiles returned, and the feeling of optimism was in the air.
So, here we are, 72 to win, and the weather was now closing in.
Today it was not to be, Chetnole were now found wanting, as they only had 3 front line bowlers.
Young Beasley tried hard, a good spell of 8 overs, 2 maidens, two for 21, and Stuart Bell worked hard, and was unlucky for his 3 overs, which yielded 19 runs.
Yet again Captain Neil Spearing bowled a superb line and length and aggression for his spell of 8 overs, 1 maiden, three for 18. He was certainly the pick of the bowlers.
Chetnole made a good fight of it, good tight fielding, Chetnole reduced their hosts to 39 for 4, however R Evans again guided Cerne to safety with the match’s top score of 20. Cerne had a scare when Dai Maude attempted to stump Evans of Ashmore, yet the appeal was turned down. Television replays showed this to be a very close run thing. Would it have turned the game? Who knows?
The match was over in the 20th over.
Glum faces, what a difference a week makes. Next week Chetnole are at home to one of the league’s top sides, Ilchester. Stuart Bell, has an injury, which means he is out for 2 weeks, but Chetnole welcome back the talisman Stan Kemp, the mercurial Rob Barker, and the evergreen Pete Whatley. A full compliment of bowlers, I hear you say? Yes, but its the batsmen that need to get the runs.
Chetnole will return to the Chetnole Oval this Sunday, and are looking forward to a return to winning ways.
Gates open from 2pm, entrance is free, and the match kicks off at 1430 hrs, or whenever Captain Neil Spearing decides to turn up.