Match Report
On a sunny Wednesday evening the Wilcot midweek faithful turned up the old school ground to face Beehive, a local pub team that are fast becoming a friendly Wilcot rival. The skippers met and the toss was won by Beehive and they decided to bat.
Oli Scott Harden and Jack Cox were given the task of “softening” the batsmen, a task they the clearly relished as after over 3 Wilcot were firmly in the driving seat after dismissing their top 3 batsmen for only 10 runs scored. the first a brilliant catch in the covers by Josh Evans, followed by the other “J” Evans (Jonathan) taking a catch at point. The 3rd an edge through to the skipper behind the stumps. The next batsmen in, settled the ship for Beehive and started to score some runs until the next wicket fell to the bowling of Watherston and a catch by Doug in slip. The 5th wicket fell in the 12th over with a deep catch by Warburg off of Josh Evans bowling, 77 for 5 and Wilcot appeared to be in a strong position. The runs slowly increased until the next wicket fell in the 17th over then the 7th wicket in the 18th and Wilcot felt good with the score on 105 for 7. The skipper then realised that he hadn’t planned the bowling changes well as we had 2 overs left and only 1 individual that could bowl (konrad) so in true village cricket style the skipper stripped off his pads and bowled the last over. Beehive ended their innings on 117 for 8 after Jack Cox delivered a brilliant direct hit to the stumps for a run out in the last over.
A quick turnaround and a confident Wilcot went out to Bat, Mark Warburg and Tim Holme were given the opening duties and if both could hit the prerequisite of 30 and retire Wilcot could wrap this up and be in the pub shortly . Both gave it a good attempt with Mark hitting three 4s before being caught and bowled for 14 runs, Tim continued to score well after being joined at the crease by James Cox and at the 8th over when James decided to get out LBW the score was 56 and Wilcot were slightly in front. Several Wickets fell but runs kept flowing thanks to Konrad and Jonathan Evans in the middle and in the 15th over we were 105 for 4, 13 runs required from 5 overs easy right?
What proceeded can only be described as clinching defeat from the jaws of victory….. a fine display of bowling and fielding from Beehive meant in the 19th over we required 3 runs to win and Tim Holme had returned to the crease, 115 for 9, 3 runs and 6 balls but the 1st delivery saw Oli Scott Harden swing, miss and the stumps rattled! Beehive erupted in celebration.
A competitive game played in good spirits that saw excellent fielding and bowling from both teams, Wilcot dropped several chances that could have been the difference between winning and losing.