Chitterne vs Horningsham

26 June 2010

This was touch and go from several days beforehand until the last ball of the match. Having already been postponed due to bad weather in May, a further cancellation seemed likely, as we were unable to raise more than 8 by Friday morning. Frantic ‘phoning and e-mailing, together with some press-ganging at nets and early on Saturday did produce 11. However a withdrawal due to injury and a disappearance meant that only 9 arrived at Chitterne.

David O’Connor confounded Horningsham luck by winning the toss and opting to field. Our hosts generously loaned a 10th man to even things up and then set off as if to demonstrate that they did not need 11 men anyway. A good start by their openers, followed by some big hitting by J and C Horsfall, helped by a shortened roadside boundary, saw the score rise steadily with wickets hard to get. However, a demon spell by Christie O’Connor who took 3 for 28 evened things up a little. David’s luck continued as he was allowed a stumping and a run out by the Chitterne Umpires (more of them later). After 25 overs, tea was taken between the innings and Horningsham returned to the field .

With 152 on the board and some of our star batsmen taking a rest, it seemed that we might have to accept defeat, with the tally at two games all it could be said to be our turn to lose. Never the less David and Paul set off, each in his own inimitable style. David, keen to get on and to keep up the run rate; Paul, determined to avoid an early collapse and ignominious, low scoring defeat. There was the usual early confusion over quick singles and who should call. Despite this, the vagaries of the Chitterne wicket (alternate bouncers and grubbers off similar balls) and some barracking about the slow scoring rate, the score had reached 74 in the 15th over when Paul was caught by the ‘keeper. Sam scored a quick 7 before he demonstrated that he still has not learned to say ‘NO’. Rick added 2 before he, followed by Jack Crossman was bowled. Ryan Hockley, making a welcome return to the side, hit a 6 and three 4’s in a quick fire 20 to add to his 2 wickets. All the while David added to his score. On reaching 50, his luck returned when, on his being caught, the Umpire inexplicably signalled a wide and recalled him to the crease! With 22 overs gone and 35 needed off 18 balls, only Rick had confidence in our victory. When Ryan was bowled, Alan Vowles, our Chitterne substitute, was placed in the unenviable position of coming in with 21 runs needed in less than two overs. Showing the zeal of a true convert he produced 5 runs of them. The drama continued in the last over, the batsmen being convinced they had done enough after two balls, and with the scorer confused by chattering spectators, it was the Umpires who decided that the scores were tied and another run was required to decide the matter. David, captain to the last, obliged with the last ball and the match was won.

A memorable performance by a side that sometimes lacked faith in itself but lead from the front by a captain who didn’t.

PG