(Written by P. I. EMAN)
Chetnole CC Versus Ilchester
Readers Mid Wessex League, Division 3 Clash.
Sunday 29 August 2004
Chetnole CC crushed at home by Ilchester
Chetnole CC suffered their second consecutive defeat in a row. A disappointing defeat by their standards, but a noble one nevertheless.
On a dark, wet, and gloomy August day, with rain in the air, Chetnole’s skipper Neil Spearing actually turned up early. A good omen perhaps? Yes, the toss was well and truly lost. Chetnole put into bat on a wicket that played like an ice rink. The only problem was the bounce: there was none!
With the ball staying so low, Stan Kemp was first out to a ball that stayed very low in the 3rd over. Kevin Johnson unluckily playing on and then Andrew Ashmore spectacularly run out from the deep.
Dai Maude, batting at number 4, looked as resolute as ever and determined to bat through. A collector of Boycott and Tavare videos, a deep thinker of the game, Maude proceeded to break Chetnole’s record of longest innings without scoring. The previous record was 56 balls for 0, but Dai eclipsed that with ease, scoring 0 in 73 balls, and 4 not out in the end of 99 balls. Always at ease and sure, Maude stunned the opposition and the crowd with a cracking on drive to a fielder for his first run. The fielder, in a deep slumber, was awoken by the noise of the growing crowd, witnessing something special.
Maude was ably assisted by young Darren Rowe, who top scored for Chetnole with 10, a four, and one mighty six. Darren finding some form at last, we all thought. However this flourishing partnership of 14 failed to last. The 12 overs were riveting…rivettingly tense!! A crowd of people filed into the Chetnole Oval, 3 families. They left shortly after walking their dogs. You here for the cricket, we asked? What cricket, they responded? Ha, ha, we all thought.
The conditions were appalling, but Chetnole batted on bravely in driving rain, sleet, and snow, yet still Ilchester did not let Chetnole’s brave warriors come off.
Alas it was over, 43 runs off 32 overs. The last man out, run out by Maude, unluckily so it must be added. Young Maude carried his bat through. A big hurrah for ‘iron pads’!! If they were made of iron, Dai could have increased the team’s total to at least 100!!
After a pleasant tea, the weather abated, the clouds cleared and the snow melted. Warm and hazy sunshine appeared and the conditions that Chetnole were faced with, mysteriously disappeared.
Ilchester made light work of the runs, and wrapped up the match fairly quickly for the loss of one wicket.
A nine-wicket defeat still left the ‘Mighty Chetnole’ in good heart. 3 places of the bottom, with 3 league wins in the season, this was a much-improved side. They were effectively beaten by the conditions and the weather. Thank goodness for young and brave Dai Maude. He was thanked for his contribution to insomnia!! The new tablets to help sleep will be introduced shortly,’ Daire Maude’s Sleepeasy tablets’.
Next Sunday Chetnole continue with their double header against Ilchester at home. Boosted by the return of the Stuart B’s, possibly Mark Spearing and young Simon, this fixture will certainly be a different game to yesterday’s.
Entry to Chetnole’s Oval ground is still free……