Match

Stoke Gabriel 1st XI vs Tiverton & Buckleigh 1st XI - 07/06/08 - J.E.Eastley Memorial Field - Francis Clark Devon Cricket League - C Division

Line Up

Steve Tolley

Mark Newman

Rob Baker

Neil Robinson*

Bill Alcock +

Dave Bolland

Jamie Day

Alex Hill

Adam Castle

Nick Sandbrook

Mark Jackson

Result

Win by 9 Wickets

Report

Written by guest reporter Adam Castle - Usual reporter Nick Sandbrook unavaliable due to 'Supermodel seminar in Paris'.

Tiverton & Bickleigh CC arrived at the J E Eastley Memorial stadium on Saturday full of hope and expectation as their host’s had been humbled by mediocre opposition during the past fortnight, however Skeletors troops were prepared for battle and by the ‘power of Greyskull’ and some of Robbo’s sport’s room carpet the game got started just over an hour late due to a damp outfield after some early rain which proved so strong that Tony Hawks couldn’t even get out of his front door!

For the first time this season Captain Robinson stuck with an un-changed line-up leaving Left arm seamer Sean Dwyer (44) and wicket-keeper batsman Adam Newman in the 2^nd Xl, a subtle change was made to the bowling line-up with Jacko taking the new ball from Avril.

As the players sat huddled in the changing rooms Robbo offered the opposing skipper out for a ‘toss’ and by the beaming smile on Robbo’s we all sensed a successful toss had been obtained and in the field we went.

Stoke’s opening attack of Mark ‘Jacko’ Jackson and former Totnes pacer Nick Sandbrook bowled without penetration and Blake & Reed set about putting together a solid partnership, Jacko induced an edge from Blake but the ball fell agonizingly short of slip specialist Castle, Jacko then had Reed in trouble with his in swingers looping up a catch for the skipper under the helmet at short leg however again as last week at Clyst Hydon Robbo decided it was a better option to preserve his glass of Brandy. During Jacko’s next over a repeat of the previous over’s chance again fell to the hapless skip and again the decision to preserve the brandy was taken but not after Robbo had dived full length to rescue his falling cheroot.

After 10 over captain courageous had seen enough and introduced Doris to the attack and after just one ball it paid dividends with Reed unable to deal with JD’s chin music.

Spin sensation Adam Castle was introduced from the road end to bring some control to proceedings and the wickets started falling, and with Avril bowling tight from Sandy’s end Stoke were in complete control. Murali removed the dangerous Robinson (26) caught in the deep by Money Shot, then Schofield fell deceived by the doosra and with Doris reintroduced for the economical Bolland (0/16) Stoke soon had Tiverton on the ropes like a ageing Frank Bruno and with 9 wickets down Robbo turned to Sandy in an attempt to finish the visitors off but unfortunately Neither Sandy (0/16) nor Jacko (1-19) could oust the final pair of Williams (8) and Hall (4) so the innings ended at tea with the visitors on a paltry 124/9, the bowling honors went to Doris who finished with 4/22 and Spinner Castle who took 4/45 from 10 impressive over’s of spin using a change of pace effectively and the doosra sparingly.

Openers Tolley and Monkey set about the victory target helping themselves to what ever food was being thrown at them even a slice of J Hall’s cream pie had to be devoured on its way to the quarry for a maximum from the Mattress.  Monkey (23) then fell nibbling at a sausage roll from Pengelly this brought Luggy Jr to the crease and a round of Ham sandwiches later the chase was complete as Stoke roared home by 9 wickets’ Tolls finishing unbeaten on 68 and Sat Nav claming a bright and breezy 21.  

Stoke have looked anything but promotion candidates over the past couple of weeks but Robbo’s army is back on track following this 19 point haul Ladbrokes have lowered the promotion odds from 10/1 down to 6/1 since the return of Murali all the fans can hope for now is a return to form for the currently in-penetrative Sandy and Stoke will no doubt return to the top of the pack.

Pimms Moment: Neil ‘Shearos’ Robinson’s Matrix impression attempting his second drop of the game under the lid.

Scorecard

1st Innings - Tiverton & Buckleigh