The 1st XI came up against a
very good Cranleigh side. The majority of the team had last year won the
national U15 title and they played as a very polished unit. College was
inserted and had a good start through Williamson (13) and Heselwood (16). When
Williamson was dismissed the run rate was at about 4 per over. However, little
further progress was made as Cranleigh began to bowl better and the batsmen
became grounded. Beckett and Thatcher (12) looked to be building a good
partnership, but Thatcher failed to kick on. Bird (6) was expertly stuped down
the leg side and Murray was dismissed in a similar manner 1st ball
(104/6 after 36 overs). The middle order did not take the initiative and as a
result we were now in serious trouble. Beckett was again in good touch and
showing confidence in his striking and cutting. As his innings progressed he
played expertly off his legs. Freeman-Greene (47) immediately batted with
purpose in pushing singles and trying to get on top of the opposition. Together
they put on 93 in only about 70 balls before Freeman-Greene was unselfishly
dismissed in the final over in trying to sneek an extra run. Beckett finished
undefeated on 82 as College scored 200.
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| Williamson and Heselwood opening up |
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| Thatcher driving in front of the Pavilion |
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| Freeman-Greene |
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| Beckett hitting to the boundary |
 |
| Beckett 82no |
We were certainly in the game but needed a good start and our bowlers to stand up and be more consistent. However, it wasn’t to be. A total of 26 wides, the majority in the first 10 overs immediately took the game away from us. Murray (1/43) did get an early wicket but a quality partnership of 76. The Cranleigh keeper/batsman/captain was a quality player who had been playing in Sri Lanka and his innings of 86 was one of real quality and he dominated the day. He was able to have the run rate consistently at over 5 per over, but upon his dismissal College began to bowl much better lines and lengths. The best bowler was Chamberlain (1/41), but Tempero also secured 2/21. Joe Leggat took three catches. Cranleigh won by 5 wickets in the 44th over. It was certainly not our best bowling effort and one which needs to improve for us to compete against good English schools .
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| Keeper Leggat consulting with his slips |
Scorecards:
Williamson 13
Heselwood 16
Chamberlain
5
Thatcher 12
Beckett 82no
I Bird
6
Murray 0
Freeman-Greene 47
Kerr 0no
Macfarlane
3-0-14-0
Tempero
8-1-21-2
Murray
9-1-43-1
Kerr 4-0-32-0
McKellar 10-0-51-0
Chamberlain
9.2-2-41-1
The Development XI completed victory by a
margin of 45 runs. Batting first College had an unconvincing start as three
early wickets were lost. Weeks (45) batted well and was especially strong when
pulling, while Thatcher (36) scored easily at a run per ball and Thomson (28)
rounded out the main scorers. The
continual procession of wickets meant that a really substantial score could not
be scored. College was dismissed for 166 in the 46th over.
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| Abbot and Raymond discussing strategy |
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| Whyte bowling |
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| Ben Aitken being clapped off after gaining his 5th wicket |
In reply Cranleigh had one quality player
who scored a nice half century, but Aitken (5/18) became the chief destroyer as
the batsmen struggled to play him. His accurate bowling saw the majority of
wicket fall either bowled or LBW. Abbot
also took a couple of crucial wickets as Cranleigh were dismissed well short of
their target. For the second game a Development player has put his stamp on the
match and turned it in our favour.
Scorecards:
Jones
4
J Bird
7
Dickie
2
Weeks
45
Thomson 28
K Thatcher
36
Blake 0
Aitken
1
Raymond
12no
Abbot 7
Whyte
0
Whyte
6-1-26-1
Simpson 6-0-15-1
Abbot
6-3-17-2
Aitken
8-1-18-5
W Macfarlane 5-0-26-0
Thomson 2.5-0-11-1
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