Captain’s Report
On an initially cloudy but later sunny afternoon, Wilcot welcomed Potterne’s 4th side to the Old School Ground. Peter Williams had prepared another excellent wicket which had been covered during the rain periods earlier in the week and looked sure to play well, although the outfield would be slow. Hoss, Potterne’s Captain who presumably is a fan of Bonanza (not Laramie as suggested in my earlier match report), called correctly as the shiny pound coin spiralled through the air and, unsurprisingly, chose to bat.
Wilcot’s opening pace attack , Billie Flippance and Ash Elliott were clearly fired up by a weeks inactivity (which included Ash’s appearance for the Sunday side) and intent on making an early breakthrough. Ash was the first to strike in the 4th over with Bucket Hands Tim Mister, back-peddling faster than he goes forward, taking the catch over his shoulder at mid off. Not to be outdone, Billie then removed the second opener in his next over and Potterne’s captain coming in at number 3 with a jaffa in the following over. The competition between the two bowlers continued as Ash yorked the next two batsmen in the next two overs and then took his fourth wicket when Bucket Hands took another catch, falling over to his right. At this point the score stood at 30 for 6 off 12 overs. In the next period of play, the ball seemed to resemble a wet bar of soap as no less than 6 mostly not difficult catches were spilled more often than not by the bowlers themselves. Luke Flippance took the next wicket when the score had advanced to 81 in the 25th over and then the Scottish wizard Ninian MacGregor bowled the next two batsmen around their legs but from the bemused expression on their faces as they swished and missed it could have been from around the moon. Doug Perrins took the last wicket caught and bowled with a catch that was fortunately almost undroppable and Potterne were dismissed for 120 in the 34th over, a score that might have been considerably less had Wilcot’s catchers turned up.
Tea is a very topical subject these days and Linda Keepence did not let us down with a tea that featured egg, ham, prawn, cheese and tomato sandwiches among others as well as chicken satays, crisps and other savouries and the very popular scones with strawberries and cream. There were also mini sausages favoured by Dolly, the one present Godley dog (the other was on maternal duty), but she caught the theme of the day spilling three attempts to catch them.
Much refreshed from a family break in the rain in Cornwall, Mark Oliver opened the batting with Jack Chatfield back from his teaching duties in Kenya. Mark clearly was intent on an early visit to the pub hitting three fours in the first over and Jack joined the party and the pair took the score to 51 before Jack was well caught in the 10th over. Amongst constant unsubtle chirrupping from the fielders, Mark was joined by our Aussie stalwart Doug Perrins and the pair took the score to 112 before Mark missed a straight one and was LBW in the 28th over having made an elegant 62. Only one further over was needed as Russ Spencer despatched the last ball for four to make the score 123 for 2.
A comprehensive fourth victory in a row and one that cemented our position of 4th in the league table and this was also the fourth occasion we have defeated a team both at home and away. We travel to Winsley next Saturday to play their 2nd eleven somewhat apprehensive to note that, as in the reverse fixture, their 1st eleven, that lie third in Division 1, do not have a fixture that day.
Potterne 4 120 All out off 34 overs
Billy Flippance 9-1-19-2
Ash Elliott 9-0-25-4
Luke Flippance 5-0-23-1
Doug Perrins 8-0-27-1
Ninian MacGregor 3-0-18-2
Extras 8 wides, 2 byes and 6 leg byes
Wilcot 123 for 2 off 29 overs
Mark Oliver LBW 62
Jack Chatfield Caught 15
Doug Perrins Not out 22
Russ Spencer Not out 6
Wilson Saraj DNB
Tim Mister DNB
MFG DNB
Ash Elliott DNB
Billy Flippance DNB
Luke Flippance DNB
Ninian MacGregor DNB
Extras 8 byes, 3 leg byes, 4 wides and 3 no balls.