In an eventful round two of the senior cricket competition on Saturday, Stroud and Soldiers Club recorded their first wins, Bowling Club Ford put in a competitive performance that promises better times ahead, and Cavs notched up the first dramatic batting collapse of the 2009/10 season.
Bowling Club Ford, strengthened by the return of Rodney Summerville, Brett Howard and Dave Fraser, won the toss and batted in the match against Stroud on No. 1 oval. Openers Summerville and John Nielson started strongly, but two quick wickets to Stroud opener Tim Threadgate had Bowling Club in a bit of bother at 2-22 in the seventh over. With the youthful Ben Berry (35) leading the way, posted a competitive 8-129 at the end of their allotted 34 overs. Threadgate picked up a third wicket to finish with 3-20 from his seven overs, while Peacock was the other bowler to impress, ending with 3-18 of his seven.
Stroud’s run chase started poorly, opener Ian Sansom unable to reproduce last week’s form and out in Nathan Butler’s first over – his first in senior cricket. When Ben Berry had Matt Bowden caught behind by Howard in the fifth over, Bowling Club were on top, Stroud struggling at 2-14. The Wenham brothers Paul and Jason steading things for the visitors, but when David Geale claimed both Wenham wickets, and the Berry boys combined to dismiss Bruce Grey – caught Ben bowled Hayden – Stroud were 5-65 and in all sorts of trouble. However, Stroud rallied - as they always seem to do- with Maytom the hero, adding 30 with Tilse 30 for the sixth wicket and then a further 29 with Peacock for the seventh. When Maytom was dismissed, caught behind by Howard off Geale for 31, Stroud were only 3 runs short of victory. Though they lost Threadgate soon after, Peacock finished a fine all-round performance by hitting the winning runs, and Stroud were home by 2 wickets.
It was a top game of cricket, Stroud’s middle-late batsmen getting them through, and Bowling Club Ford getting themselves into a match-winning position but just unable to deliver the knock-out blow.
In the other game on No. 2 oval, Soldiers elected to have first use of the wicket, and in a tradesman-like way, worked their way to 7-115 at the end of their 34 overs. ‘Mr Reliable’ Graham Reeves held the innings together, with a well-compiled 41, with useful contributions from Adrian Marsh and Matt Higgins. Matt Bowden was perhaps the best of the Cav bowlers, taking 2-16 of his tidy 7 overs, while Paul Blanch took a few late wickets to end with 3-28.
Having made 190 on the same ground the previous week, Cavs would have fancied their chances chasing 116 to win as openers Hayden Tull and Luke Allardice strode to the wicket. In the space of the next 11 overs, the Cavs top order had disintegrated to 6-21, the Cavs batting unable to match the challenge laid down by the Soldiers pair of Phil Reeves and Matt Higgins. Aside from a fighting 33 not out from Matt Bowden, sundries were the next highest scorer, and the Cavs tumbled to be all out for 79. Reeves finished with 4-12 from his seven overs and Matt Higgins and Todd Ritter two each in what was an excellent bowling performance.
After two rounds, four teams – Stroud, Soldiers, Cavs and Rawdon Vale – who had the bye last week – have all registered a win, and the 2009/10 season is shaping up as being a closely fought contest.
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