1st XI Abberley 100 for 4, RGS 124 for 4 - Lost by 24 runs
From sublime to ridiculous. Having beaten Beaudesert thanks to excellent bowling and fielding, we lost to RGS following an awful display in the field. You could blame a lack of meaningful practice in the last week, an exeat or a hard day in the classroom but ultimately it was just shoddy. RGS were 35-0 off the first 3 overs in a 20/20 game. The bad ball was well and truly despatched but this was buffet bowling, help yourself. We steadied the ship somewhat thanks to the ever reliable Arthur and a couple of good catches by Jack but 124-4 was a tall order to chase.
In reply we were never really up with the rate. Jack was becalmed for too long though Max did his best with an excellent 58 not out to make it interesting. He became more fluent as the game progressed and hopefully this is the shape of things to come. One 6 off his legs was out of the top drawer. However we could only muster 100-4 in reply, not a bad score but a losing one. Must do better !
The saying goes, ‘Lies, damn lies and statistics’. Well, the statistics of this 20/20 match tell the bare-faced truth: RGS were strong; Abberley struggled. However there were some positives to take from this mauling. Wyndham developed his tactical skills as Captain, Nick B. batted sensibly and got in-line against some pacey bowling, Alex P improved his wicket-keeping and Will B. scurried about the field saving runs wherever he could. Added to this list mention must be made of Nick B’s bowling. Having said that he was ‘off-form’ he ran in and bowled a great spell of seam bowling making the batsmen play and miss on numerous occasions. James A. also bowled well. The match was beyond our grasp from early on. RGS scored freely and bowled with intent. Abberley found it difficult to score runs and with some inconsistent calling managed to produce a couple of ridiculous situations where the fielder with the ball was closer to the stumps than either batsmen! Incredibly no run outs occurred!
Anyway, Forward men and boldly ride and well and to the Bromsgrove team we will charge undismay’d!
