Captain’s Report

After a late drop out, a failed Friday night recruitment drive in the Golden Swan and no reward for searching the nether regions of Wiltshire, Wilcot arrived at Marshfield’s scenic ground a sandwich short of a picnic, in other words with a mere 10 men. The forecast for the afternoon was at best iffy and there seemed little chance of an uninterrupted match but the wicket had been covered and the outfield seemed to have taken the recent rain well. Conscious of a lack of an 11th fielder, Wilcot’s captain chose to bat when winning the toss.
 
Wilson Saraj and Ash Elliott were given the responsibility of opening the innings but Wilson soon missed a straight one and, in spite of some cunning aerial shots over the slips, Ash soon followed and the score stood at 27 for 2 in the 9th over. Wilcot’s antipodean import Doug Perrins and Russ Spencer took the score to 52 before Doug fell having made an elegant 24, swiftly followed by both Tim Mister and Chris Powell who both made an inelegant 0. The captain offered brief resistance but fell reaching for a wide ball and with Kye Flippance quickly bowled, the score stood at 76 for 7 in the 27th over and Wilcot’s mid-order frailty was again in evidence. Russ Spencer and Hugo Stagg are made of sterner stuff and, in spite of several breaks in play due to rain, they kept their concentration and timing and took the score to 143 before Russ was bowled having made 48. Billy Flippance then joined Hugo and with some belligerent strokeplay, this pair took the score to 181 when Hugo was last out for 49, leaving himself open to a severe fine for 50 avoidance.
 
Tea was actually taken during one of the rain breaks during Wilcot’s innings but was worth travelling for.  As well as a fine selection of ham, egg, cheese and tomato sandwiches, a fish paste option was also available as well as cold pizza and crisps.  However, it was the selection of scones and cream, cakes and shortbread that appealed most to Wilcot’s pace attack, giving the skipper cause to rue choosing to bat first.
 
Calculators were now needed to work out Marshfield’s target and the number of overs allowed to reach it and the conclusion was 115 off 28 overs. Due to the intermittent rain the ground was now quite wet and as a result the ball was slippery making bowling difficult.  Wilcot’s bowlers battled manfully against the odds and a good catch by Hugo Stagg as well as a further sharp shower gave us brief cause for optimism. However, Marshfields batsmen played well and, in the end, made light of the run chase and passed the requisite total in the 16th over.
 
A frustrating day for both sides with the constant weather interruptions possibly not favouring Wilcot but Marshfield bowled and batted well and were worthy winners.  We should take encouragement from our batting rally and will face weaker teams than this.
 
We welcome Bradford on Avon to the Old School Ground next weekend, bloodied but unbowed.
 
Wilcot 181 all out off 43.1 overs
 
Wilson Saraj bowled 0
Ash Elliott caught 13
Doug Perrins bowled 24
Russ Spencer bowled 48
Tim Mister bowled 0
Chris Powell caught 0
MFG caught 5
Kye Flippance bowled 0
Hugo Stagg caught 49
Billy Flippance not out 16
 
Extras 4 byes, 14 leg byes, 7 wides and 2 no balls.
 
Marshfield 115 for 1 off 15.2 overs
 
Billy Flippance 6-0-28-1
Ash Elliott 4-0-34-0
Doug Perrins 4-0-26-0
Hugo Stagg 1.2-0-23-0
 
Extras 1 bye, 3 leg byes and 1 no ball