Latest News and Match ReportsBexleyheath v Frindsbury 2's (August 29, 2009)On the back of three straight wins, Frindsbury 2nd XI had an outside shot at promotion, although, realistically, only winning by batting first in both remaining games, would have given their only hope. That chance was immediately quashed when, arriving without an umpire, they we're asked to bowl first. With one of the strongest XI's available to skipper Mark Gracey, hopes were high of really testing league leaders Bexleyheath on their own patch.
Raj Bassi and Paul Winchester made immediate inroads to the Bexleyheath line up, removing both openers with the score on 21. Richely falling to a good one handed catch in the slips from the skipper. After opening tight spells from the two swingers, the pace of Ashenden, and testing lines of Raza were brought on to offer another dimension to the attack. The change worked immediately, as he dismissed Wiseman for 5 then Castleton first ball, with Gracey claiming his second catch in the slips of the game, to leave the home side reeling on 36 for 4.
Frindsbury failed to capitalise on their early blows as Welte (35) and Kendal (43) rebuilt the innings. when Raza, and the returning Winchester removed them, with Beaumont (22), Dalton (21) and Patten (32), frustrated the Frindsbury bolwers. The remaining highlight of the innings, was Tom Burt's running catch in the deep. I know what your thinking, Tom Burt running? Tom Burt catching? But yes, both happened, and the ball stuck, with Dalton the unlucky batsman. Bexleyheath wound up their innings on a competitive 190, on a pitch that was offering a lot to the quicker bowlers.
Frindsbury's opening pair immediately saw what this pitch could offer to the quicker bowlers, as balls were getting up of a length to wizz past their noses, and both fell victims to the man in short leg, both Sam Gracey and Dave Peters both failed to get to grips with the extravagant bounce on offer, and it wasn't until batsmen 5, 6 and 7 got in, that Frindsbury finally got a hold on the game, and at 40 for 4, could only take consolation that the home side had been in a similar situation earlier, and had managed to fight back. Roger White looked most comfortable, but fell disappoint for just 13. Claughton (18) and Bassi (24) looked as comfortable, with Bassi in particular playing some well timed cover drives. When they all fell, it wasn't until some last minute fireworks from Winchester (20) and Connor Ashenden (14) that Frindsbury ever looked in real control of the innings. Winchester smashed one almighty six into the road behind the ground, quite possibly the biggest of the season.
Again, some vital experience for the young Frindsbury side, who have just one game to play, to end a very promising season. Thanks to Rob Peters for scoring. |
2009 Club Honours
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