BILLERICAY v Gidea Park & Romford CC Saturday 4th X1 on Sat 21 Jun 2008 at 1PM
Match was Drawn
Rain in the morning cast some doubts on a prompt start but we arrived at Billericay to find that the pitch had been covered and was in pristine condition, only the outfield being damp. Park lost the toss again and were asked to bat first. Ashu Dhabi got the side off to a flyer before a leading edge to mid on to make it 19 for 1, but from there Ammar Zahid dug in and Baljit Jutla played a controlled innings as they added 47 against a very steady attack and good, enthusiastic fielding. It was a surprise when Baljit drove to cover for a well played 34 and another wicket fell quickly to leave Park 87 for 3 after 26 overs. However, Ammar and debutant Tony Millar added 52 quickly, with Tony hitting all the bad balls for four, and after Ammar was LBW for 48 having underpinned the innings, Tony and Harvir Jutla took the attack by the scruff of the neck and put on 108 in 15 overs. No bowler was spared as the quality of the pitch allowed full scope for stroke play. Tony hit 15 fours and 2 sixes in 98 not out, unfortunately not scoring off his last two deliveries which would have taken him to a well deserved 100, and Harvir hit 6 fours, as Park posted a very competitive total.
The Billericay reply met some good seam bowling from Hafiz Ali, Jack Carver and Harvitr Jutla and found it difficult to score at any rate to keep up the challenge. Ashu Dhabi held a great slip catch and Jack and Hafiz both bowled the numbers two and three to leave the home side on 53 for 3 after 20 overs. A further wicket would have put Park really in the driving seat, but a sharp first ball chance to gully by Steve Farmer was put down and at the call of the last hour the score was 81 for 3. To their credit Billericay skipper Farmer and the number 5 Pete Harford decided to have a go and the ball started to clear the ropes as they put on 76 all told but 48 in 7 overs of the last 20. Farmer then upped a gear with a great series of drives and pulls as Park kept the game open, but despite this terrific effort the end was a stalemate as neither side could force an advantage. Farmer compiled a superb 125 not out with 14 fours and 3 sixes as honours were even in a game where the excellent pitch was the winner. For Park, Jakk Carver continued his promising form with the ball taking 1 for 36 off 10 overs and Harvir Jutla showed his best bowling form of the season so far with 1 for 30 off 11 overs.
With better weather and more cricket being played (thank goodness!), more players are hitting some form and next week we visit Benfleet 3rd XI.
Gidea Park & Romford CC Saturday 4th X1 Batting
253 for 4
BILLERICAY Bowling
| M PATERNOSTER |
8.0 |
1 |
34 |
0 |
0.00 |
4.25 |
| J TAYLOR |
14.0 |
3 |
61 |
2 |
30.50 |
4.36 |
| R RAYNER |
8.0 |
0 |
44 |
0 |
0.00 |
5.50 |
| E STONNELL |
9.0 |
0 |
51 |
0 |
0.00 |
5.67 |
| S GILLION |
13.0 |
1 |
60 |
2 |
30.00 |
4.62 |
BILLERICAY Batting
225 for 4
| A GARRATT |
2 |
Caught |
| M ASTLES |
19 |
Bowled |
| S YATES |
1 |
Bowled |
| S FARMER |
125 |
Not Out |
| P HARFORD |
40 |
Bowled |
| J COPSEY |
17 |
Not Out |
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Gidea Park & Romford CC Saturday 4th X1 Bowling