Monkton Combe vs The Venturers, Wednesday 2nd May 2007
Author: Ian Gillard
Lost by 8 wickets. Venturers 70 Monkton Combe 71-2 off x overs
Despite heavy traffic getting to the ground we were in good time for the first Wednesday game of the season, unlike our opponents. Monkton Combe is a beautiful ground in the evening sunshine, but the wisdom of East-West pitches was called into question once again in the bright evening sunlight. Our opposition arrived very late indeed giving us some practice time, and Duncan won the toss and decided to bat. He estimated that our innings would finish just before the sun became a problem at one end, but clearly forgot we had missed the scheduled start time by at least 30 minutes. Nevertheless a solid start would get us on our way and Fluffy and Andy took guard to open the innings. Last season Fluffy played conservatively but after a few balls to get his eye in he was away with a cracking straight drive for four. Andy hit a ball in the air behind square for four and things were looking quite tidy on 13-0 in the third over, despite a tight fielding circle. The running between the wickets was tentative with Andy looking for very tight singles and Fluffy repeatedly (and wisely) sending him back, but the first wicket fell when Fluffy played inside the line to a straight one. Simon faced his first deliveries for some years and looked comfortable, but had fatefully commented on the probability of being run out while padding up and when Andy called him through for an imaginary single the direct hit saw him only halfway down the wicket. The boat was rocking a little at 15 for 2, but Chintan was next in and raised hopes of a decent score.
By now things were getting difficult with the sun low in the sky over the bowlers arm and Monkton Combe played up to this by bowling loopy slow deliveries that were only visible for a few moments. This must be a regular tactic as although such deliveries would normally be sent to all parts of the field, you can only hit what you can see. In quick succession Andy was out LBW, and Lee followed and the rocking got worse. Ian (Tall) went in to try to pick things up but showed a lack of understanding by not running an easy bye that would have kept Chintan on strike. A driven single brought Ian against the slow bowlers where the heavy bat would normally threaten the boundary but the first delivery was a full toss that looped through the sun and inexperience saw a mistimed reflex shot rather than something more sensible. Ice may actually have formed on the ball but the bowler kept calm while it re-entered orbit and took a solid catch as Ian trudged off for his customary disappointing single.
From there the rocking boat began to sink when Matt ran himself out after hitting Alex’s pads at the non-striker’s end with a well-timed drive. Duncan went in and did request they bowl from only one end until the sun moved, but it would have been a very sporting gesture and was rather unsurprisingly turned down. Soon after Duncan heard the death rattle behind him but Rob B played some good strokes looking into the fading sunlight and finished as the second top scorer after Chintan. He followed Duncan back to the thatched pavilion with only a couple of balls left leaving us not out for 70-odd with Chris the last man in.
Runs on the board is always an advantage and we took the field
hoping to turn the tables, but the pitch was now in shadow and perhaps
Duncan was regretting his decision at the toss. The left-handed opener
got a good view of Duncan’s widish first delivery but he sliced it straight
to Ian at gully who took the catch and we were away. Another wicket followed
in the same over and 70 was suddenly looking useful with the score 0-2.
Rob B was not his tidy best, but Duncan’s second over had the batsman playing
a cut to cover where the normally-reliable Chintan couldn’t take it at
the second attempt. This was the turning point. Rob B was hit out of the
attack and Duncan ran out of overs, but Simon and Chintan bowled well,
while Chris was denied his first of the season with Andy dropping one at
square leg. Matt warned the non-striker for taking liberties while backing
up, but with the ball was regularly hit in the air it seemed only a matter
of time before another catch was taken. Then, with a few runs still in
hand Duncan and Rob contrived to drop a towering miscue as the batsman began to slog
the ball freely. Chris went for a hatful in the 10th over and then it was
over. A lack of experience rather summed up the good starts and missed
chances, but Monkton Combe were gracious victors and commented we “nearly
played well” that might be a contender for quote of the season. True or
not we were off to the pub having lost by 8 wickets in a match full of
promise that might have been very different had we started on time.