Wield vs Ropley, Sunday 31st July
Weather – Hot Hot Hot!!.
Match summary – Village cricket at it's finest....Not!!!!.
On a glorious day, with a quick and short outfield, flagged a good 10 yards closer to the wicket than usual, Ropley batted first.
Ropley started quite slowly, whilst losing wickets on the way, and indeed had lost one wicket before the match reporter had arrived.
Richard was bowling well, and not giving much away. Another positive for Wield was that for once their catching was not bad, with Dave holding 2 catches, including a splendid one that involved a lot of back pedalling to catch a ball which had looped over his head. Michael also held on to 2 catches and Richard’s friend Colin took a very good low catch. Indeed, the only worry on the catching front was whether Robin’s mobility is hindered by carrying the foolscap leather-bound black book in his trousers on the field, as we were all sure that he would have got to the balls which went very close to him in the air but for this impediment.
Things got exciting with Dave bowling on a hat trick, and the field all came in to will him to emulate Stuart Broad at Trent Bridge against the Indians a day earlier, but it was not to be. Harry balled with some left arm pace, and another Dave, who normally plays against Wield for Lynchmere, took over the Yew Tree End from Robin.
Rupert was very unlucky not to claim the wicket of Ropley’s best batsman due to missed chances, but then removed the other batsman. Wickets were shared. In the end, Ropley put on a spurt and got to 172 by tea off 44 overs, which looked a bit too much for Wield, but that is easy to say with the benefit of hindsight.
Andrew Chairman, with his sons and Domino, and Tony Vice came along to support Wield, and would undoubtedly have earned selection if they had not both been on junior cricket family duties. Andrew Captain turned up later with pint and dog in hand. Both teams were also supported by a fine tea with no shortage of egg mayonnaise, so that even Maxine got enough.
Johnny and Colin opened the batting and it is believed that 7 of the first 10 overs were maidens, but when the runs started coming, unfortunately Johnny had to leave the field for a blood injury. Michael swiped a couple of balls for runs and then was caught, and Colin was then out when looking solid.
Johnny came back out and passed double figures, a feat matched later by Richard, who hit several fine boundaries, but probably no-one else. Matt was unlucky to get a ball that went around his legs and removed a bail, when he was looking good. But that is not to say that the batting did not have some great moments. Max was promoted right up the order to number 8, because Dave and Robin at numbers 8 and 9 were busy umpiring when the 6th wicket fell.
Michael had volunteered to umpire earlier but the offer had been rejected by Robin, Dave, Johnny, the rest of the team and Dougie who wasn't even playing!!!!! possibly based on recent lbw decisions (possibly!!!!). Max was not just rock solid against the good balls, but punished one straying down the leg side with a deft sweep down to fine leg.
Wield raced to about 76 for 6 at the close off 37 overs.
Michael H-Tanner (AKA Trigger)
