Match

Stoke Gabriel Vs Belstone - 17/08/08 - Away - Instant Office South Devon Cricket League - Division 2

Line Up

Malcolm Coleman

Ben Stone

Mark Jackson

Matt Nand-Lal

Rob Baker

Mark Newman

Adam Newman

Giselle Ansley

Steve Nand-Lal

Graham Litt

Bob Bamber

Result

Belstone win by 18 runs

Report

Stoke’ s Sunday campaign came to a rather abrupt end yesterday when they could only leave Belstone with a 17 run defeat. With other teams in the league still having games to play – Stoke can only await on other results to see where there final finishing place will be. Stoke defiantly cannot finish bottom , with Shaldon being too far behind. But it seems extremely unlikely that they will finish in the promotion places either , as Raliegh (at the time of writing) are two points behind – with two matches to be registered to the table – once of which was yesterday against Shaldon.

Amazingly , for the second consecutive week in a row , the Sunday XI managed to avoid the weather that again wiped out all of the of the Devon League. Despite this , the game was to be played on an artificial wicket – allowed in the Sunday League. And , much like Stoke’s ground , the artificial is along way towards one side of the ground. Creating an extra facet to an already intriguing match. With the rain clouds closing in fast,  and the wicket slow , and low , captain Rob Baker won the toss and had no hesitation in inserting the home side to bat.

Stoke opened with Mark Jackson and Steve Nand-Lal. Both bowled with disturbing pace and inuring accuracy , but with the pitch understandably offering as much help as a police officer in a murder inquiry , the breakthrough was going to have to wait. The ninth over eventually bought the opening wicket , as Tremain chipped Jacko to Ben Stone at cover , who clutched on and then invoked his best tumble dryer impression. That was the best it got for the opening pair , and Rob Baker hauled both off and were replaced by Bob Bamber and Giselle Ansley. Bamber’s Sunday league economy rate still continues to match Monkey batting average. Despite going at nearly 10 an over, the last ball of this second bought about the second wicket, as the second of the Tremain’s hauled out to Ben Stone who – just – clung on to his second catch of the match. In his third he had his second wicket , the straight ball forced Drake to sail off back to the pavilion , after he padded up infront of middle stump. Bamber’s luck ran out , and with the runs not being stemmed as he’d liked , Bakes turned to spin wizard Mark Newman. However , liked most of this year , his wand was limp , and the runs wouldn't stop coming (This stuff writes itself). Backed up by some unconvincing fielding , Newms lasted only 4 overs before he was hauled off.

Giselle Ansley was still going at the other end , and after setting Dennis up with the head high beamer , followed it up with a yorker and had him on his way back. The flood gates soon opened , Giselle had opener Woods bowled for 61. And then Gommersaul caught by a tired and weary Jackson. Giselle bowled out for an impressive 3/37 , and Bakes turned to himself , and debutant Graham Litt. Both bowled with tight lines , and after taking 3 wickets , Bakes , turned to Jacko , who swiftly ended the innings in his first ball on returning.  The innings ended on 160 , and surprisingly none of the forecast rain had come over as yet.  

Not surprisingly the rain came. But it wasn’t heavy enough to deter the match or openers Malcolm Coleman and Ben Stone. With heavier rain seemingly inevitable , talks of run rates were around. League rules say that 20 overs will consititute a match – however , this only requires the team batting to be up with the run rate , regardless of wickets down – so 90/9 at 20 would be enough to win the match. The innings started , and the following bought up more run out chances that winners of the national lottery daily play – nevertheless , both managed to survive until Malcolm Coleman was out stumped , the pair adding 48 for the opening partnership. This bought Jacko to the crease ,  and the next ball bought Jacko back to the pavilion , as he could only watch the ball strike him on the pad infront , first ball. Matt Nand-Lal stint at the crease wasn’t much longer , and this bought Narracott Cup Man Of the Match Rob Baker to the middle. He added 27 with Ben Stone before the latter chipped a ball skyward allowing Holmes to take the catch.

Unfortunatly for Stoke , with the light closing in fast , and the rain becoming ever more persistent , a big innings was needed. Rob Baker could only watch as both Newman brothers and Giselle Ansley were out in double quick time. With 8 overs to go , Stoke needed 64 runs. Bakes made hay towards the leg side , and quickly reigned the required rate into Stoke’s grasp. Dealing in with an uncannily similar 5 six 72 , compared with his 5 six 70 in the Narracott final. Unfortunatly, Bakes could only smash the ball back at bowler Gommersaul , who , with his eyes closed , clung on to a superb return catch. The game looked out of Stoke’s reach. Graham Litt came and went for 2. And with 3 overs to go , Stoke needed 20. With the light horrendously bad , quick singles were needed. And as Steve Nand-Lal dropped the ball at his feet  , Bamber at the non strikers end swooped like a Wilderbeast on Steriods , unforntunatly, Nand-Lal set off late , and despite a desparate dive , was short at the other end , Stoke ending short by 19 runs.

Scorecard

1st Innings - Belstone

2nd Innings - Stoke Gabriel