Scorecard

Penn Street Cricket Club PSCC v Old Citezens on Sat 14 Jun 2008 at 14:00
Penn Street Cricket Club Lost

Match report Saturday saw the advent of the Old Citizens, whose traditional cricketing values always make for one of the most enjoyable matches of the year. As flruffy clouds scudded high above a firm pitch, acting captain Rob Sutherland lost the toss for the second week in a row and Penn Street was put in to bat.

Disaster quickly befell. A looping slow full-toss from the opening bowler sailed past last week’s centurion Matt Bannister and clipped the middle stump as it fell to earth. A no-ball? Our umpires didn’t think so, and so Matt trudged disconsolately back to the pavilion. Rob Sutherland and James Sempill tried to steady the ship by dropping anchor against some accurate bowling, but James eventually fell after 10 overs’ stout defence. Rob continued to battle on with an uncharacteristic innings of Boycottesque obduracy, eventually succumbing to a running mix-up on 25 after 22 overs.

By now, the innings needed some pace injected into it, and Michael Davies was the man to step it up. He batted beautifully, clearing the inner ring with some stylish lofted drives which put some pressure back on the opposition. However, wickets continued to fall at the other end and Michael eventually ran out of partners after a fine 34 not out.

Penn Street’s total of 90 looked difficult to defend, but with Grant Henry firing the ball in at one end and Cliff Culbert turning the screw at the other – backed up by fine fielding all round – the Old Citizens were not finding it easy. Cliff made the breakthrough, Sam Clark taking a fine backpeddling overhead catch, and by now he was looping and fizzing it in, forcing Steve Exton, who had generously offered to step in as a last-minute replacement, to make a number of fine stops behind the stumps as the batsmen played and missed. Grant was bowling well but without luck and was replaced by Michael Davies, whose 5 overs went for a miserly 12 runs. But the wickets were falling at the other end, as Cliff skittled out the Old Citizens’ top four.

At which point the Old Citizens’ most destructive batsman strode to the crease, hooped cap and handlebar moustache fluttering in the breeze. Fielders were immediately posted back on the boundary as uncomfortable memories of seasons gone by came flooding back. By this time, Matt Bannister had replaced Michael Davies, and a couple of short balls immediately got the treatment. But then, Matt pitched it up, a wild swish and the ball disappeared heavenwards. As experienced cricketers stood by, Tyler Abear, the youngest player on the field, positioned himself carefully under the swirling ball. Everyone knew the odds were against him. The ball was tumbling down from a great height, spinning viciously. Yet, as nonchalantly as if it was juniors fielding practice, Tyler pouched it perfectly – a stunning catch.

Unfortunately, that was to be our last success. Cliff Culbert continued to bamboozle the batsmen, but couldn’t find his elusive 5th wicket. Eventually Old Citizens passed the Penn Street total with 5 wickets remaining.


Penn Street Cricket Club PSCC Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 10 wickets
0
90
(0.0 overs)		    
Matt Bannister  
Stuart Thompson  
Simon Briggs  
Sam Clark  
Chris Dale  
Simon Dale  
Michael Davies  
Martin Hallam  
Grant Henry  
Dean Munday  
Rob Sutherland  

Old Citezens Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Old Citezens Batting
Player name Runs
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 5 wickets
0
91 (0.0 overs)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Penn Street Cricket Club PSCC Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.