Scorecard

London Colney II v St Albans Cricket Club 3XI on Sat 09 May 2009 at 1:30pm
St Albans Cricket Club Won by 6 runs

Match report Saints' 3rd XI had their first away league game on Saturday and the fixture computer threw up a local derby as an intriguing hors d’oeuvre for the 2009 away campaign. Captain Eames continued his 100% record with the toss and the victorious Colney tosser inserted Saints on a blameless looking pitch.

After an early first wicket Eames and Hounslow consolidated, if a little slowly and managed to get Saints past the 50 for just the one wicket down. In classic England and Saints tradition, a clatter of wickets led to a promising position looking challenging, as 52 for 1 became 54 for 5. More consolidation was required and debutant Christie and club veteran and legend Ferguson stemmed the self inflicted injuries and breathed new life into the St Albans patient with a patient and measured stand. Late hitting and intelligent batting from Messrs Goddard P, Black and Garg meant Saints posted a below par but hopefully competitive 157 all out in the 52nd over. High praise must be given here to the Colney bowling and fielding which was extremely impressive and vocally supported by ex Saints stumper Jerry Fretter, as always keen to impress against his alma mater.

Saints declined the new ball and the old ball was given to Black and 4th team inspiration James to open proceedings; after a couple of overs each it was clear that this ruse was a busted flush and the new ball was claimed. Immediately, king of swing Black started to deviate the ball in his mysterious fashion and batting started to look a more challenging proposition. The Colney innings then took on a course, which remained true to the thrilling climax, with dangerous partnerships being broken by tight and challenging bowling supported by excellent fielding and catching. Special mentioned must be made here of the Goddards, P and R who between them 5 for 45 off 176 overs, with flight and guile father Paul, pipping Robbie’s excellent medium pace by three wickets to two.

As the overs ticked down the “at the death” bowlers were chosen and Garg and Black were given the onerous duty to fulfil the game’s destiny. With Garg bowling accurately and tightly at one end and Black teasing the batsmen with his swing and cut off the pitch at the other the dénouement was promising to be a classic.

In the game’s penultimate over Black was driven for a classy four to bring Colney’s target down to just seven runs at less than a run a ball. However last season’s leading wicket taker responded by bowling the batsmen the very next ball. The last man in for Colney was young George Ray who had fielded superbly all day but unfortunately for Colney, the Saints veteran swinger had too much guile and experience and bowled the batsman first ball to finish with 5 for 47 off 16.4 overs. Ex Saint, Jerry Fretter was left undefeated at the other end and unable to influence the finale although his mischievous calling and scampering had put pressure on the Saints’ fielders in the closing stages.

A terrific game played in a splendid spirit by both sides and all day the bowling and fielding proved superior to the batting, with the only difference being perhaps the depth of Saints’ batting and lady luck smiling at the away side slightly more than the home one. Fielding honours should go to all players although Hancock’s speed and keenness and Devadeson’s fantastic stop in the gully which saved a certain boundary, must also be mentioned in the light of such a close finish. Top quality catching by Christie, Goodard R, James and Garg also proved significant .

Man of the match: shared between Guy Black and the whole team.




St Albans Cricket Club 3XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 10 wickets
0
157		        
Michael Eames Caught  28
David Hancock Bowled  3
Adam Hounslow Lbw  19
Rex Devadeson Bowled  0
Robert Goddard Run out  0 1
David Christie Caught  27 1
Steve Ferguson Caught  6
Guy Black Caught  28
Paul Goddard Not Out  18
Amit Garg Caught  18 1
Nick James Caught  0 1

London Colney II Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

London Colney II Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 10 wickets
0
151 (0.0 overs)		     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

St Albans Cricket Club 3XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Guy Black16.434759.402.82
Nick James4.001900.004.75
Robert Goddard8.0323211.502.88
Amit Garg6.021200.002.00
Paul Goddard9.022237.332.44