Cardiff Cavaliers Cricket Club

Match Report

Welsh Blood Service, Tuesday 17 August

WBS 127/6 (18ovs, Graveson 2/16, Duffy 1/16). Cav 131/1 (14.2ovs, J Thomas 51no, Marchant 41no). Cav won by 9 wickets

Scorecard

Captain Duffy’s attempt to win his first match in charge after 4 years of trying didn’t get off to a good start when he lost the toss, however, the opposition’s decision to bat first prevented an awkward situation because Welsh Blood only had 4 players at the start of the match.

Andy took the first over and after a single had been taken early on, he clean bowled Miller and Cole in consecutive balls to finish off.  An over from Bowen was survived before a 4 man cordon was in place for the hat trick ball.  It was not to be however, although the first of three Chinese cuts over the stumps for 4 by Sid got the scoreboard moving.  Gravy and Ross bowled well but with no further reward as a decent partnership was built for the 3^rd wicket.

Jimmy and Glenn took up the bowling, and despite causing a few problems were unable to split this pair.  The fireworks started when Evans replaced Jimmy and I was promptly carted to all parts including a straight 6 into a field behind the sight screen.  3-0-42-0 wasn’t the best return to action!  As Welsh Blood looked to up the pace Duffy held a smart return catch to dismiss James, before Sid ran out two unfortunate teammates in the closing overs.  Our cause was helped by the umpire telling us he was bored of watching Sid and would give him out if we appealed, so when Jimmy got the ball vaguely near the pad, up we went and a fine innings was brought to a shuddering halt, out for 79.  In the end we were left to chase 128 to win.

JT and Steaders (gripping the bat a new way) opened our response, and progressed smoothly until Steaders picked out mid on when on 17 and looking fluent.  Jimmy came in at three and settled immediately as he and JT moved the score along.  Some good bowling by Kev (the wicket taker) and by their skipper wasn’t backed up by the others (having 9 in the field didn’t help either) as the bad balls were put away with aplomb.  JT moved to an impressive half century to finish on 51 not out and Jimmy hit the winning runs with 4 overs to spare to finish on 41.

Champagne moment: Duffy's ct&bw - a sharp chance going like a rocket taken extremely well and never looked as if it'd be put down

Team: Jason Duffy (capt), Andrew Steadman (wkt), Jonathan Thomas, Wyn Pritchard, Chris Evans, Nigel Adams, Ross Bowen, Jeremy Sparkes, Andrew Graveson, Glenn Chapman, Jimmy Marchant