Wickford v Gidea Park & Romford CC Saturday 3rd X1 on Sat 05 Jul 2003 at 1.30pm
Gidea Park & Romford CC Won 130 runs
Having lost the toss and being asked to bat on what looked to be a very typical, low, damp park wicket in overcast and sticky conditions with no sight screens, suggested that things could initially be difficult. This proved to be the case as another factor soon became apparent - the opposition decided to bowl very straight and give very little away!! In the 17th over we went from 34-0 to 34-2 as both Keith Wright and Jeff Thomas were dismissed in the space of 3 balls and although we managed to accellerate things slightly the loss of 2 more quick wickets left us precariously placed at 79-4 after 31 overs. Jason Toogood and yours truly pushed things past the 100 mark but when Jason was out in the 38th over with the score on 103 we were still some way short of a competitive total. Cometh the hour cometh the man! Dave Goldsmith then proceeded to smash the ball to all parts dealing mostly (to my relief) in boundaries (9x4, 2x6) and as a result we managed to surpass the 150 and 175 targets with ease. When he was unluckily dismissed in the 50th over we had added 95 runs in 12 overs and it was then down to Les Collard and myself to push us to 213-6 after 52 overs. now that was a competitive score!
Wickford's reply bagan in worrying fashion as the ball began to fly to all parts off the bat of Burgess. However as soon as the first wicket fell at 37 and when Paul Winmill dismissed Burgess for 46 with the score on 61 the tide had definitely turned. A steady procession of wickets falling in the face of some once again very mean bowling meant that we wrapped up an impressive 130 run victory at 6.30 pm.
Bowling a side out for 83 suggests that they are weak. However a bowling attack that bowls one side of the wicket, commits the batsmen to play everything and has not delivered a no-ball or wide for 4 weeks really is a strength. All these sides we play against regularly score in excess of 200 every other week so the bowlers must take a lot of the credit. A brilliant spell by Paul Winmill of 15-6-32-7 speaks volumes as once again we gave very little away in the field. Well done to all the batsmen for chipping in and laying a base for Bunge's heroics. Half way through the season and still 36 points ahead. Roll on Westcliff.
Gidea Park & Romford CC Saturday 3rd X1 Batting
213 for 6
Wickford Bowling
Wickford Batting
83 for 10
Gidea Park & Romford CC Saturday 3rd X1 Bowling
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Umpire :
Lance Thomas
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Scorer :