Knockers Vs Bidborough

Win :: Played on Sunday 24th May 2015

Knockers
217-6

Bidborough
200-9

Match Report

Guy Howe led from the front in his new role as captain of our travelling cricketers. He top-scored with 59 and took a wicket among several fine contributions for ten-man Knockers as they won this 35-over match against a competitive and well organised Bidborough.

Winning the toss, Howe didn't hesitate to bat. Paul Seldon (54) and James Mitchell (5) opened with Seldon looking in fine form. He dominated a useful opening partnership of 38 but after Mitchell was bowled by Patinson, his quick scoring was almost overtaken by an aggressive Howe (59). Having reached his 50 first, Seldon looked set to go on to a big score but a change of bowling saw him fall to a smart low catch with the score on 118.

Debutant, Alan Amirtharaj (0) was Wells' second victim two balls later and Richard Calver (36) walked out determined to put a stop to the falling wickets. Howe rode his luck a little, but was looking good for a personal best when Wells continued to heap on the pressure and Guido looped one up off a top edge for the keeper to pouch. Another debutant, in the form of Christian Kutner (0) meant two new batsman had to negotiate a tight spell from a consistent Bidborough attack. Kutner hung around trying to score but eventually became Wells' forth and final wicket.

Guthrie Miller (35no) then brought his no-nonsense batting to the crease with the score on 143 and ten overs to go. He and a confidence growing Calver struck back, bringing up the 200 despite a slow wicket and aggressive Bidborough field placings. Calver was bowled by Page with two balls remaining leaving Andy Roberts (4no) to mark his welcome return to the team with a boundary.

Roberts (33-1) opened the bowling from the pavilion end with a stomach full of cheesy footballs, his opening spell drawing a comfortable looping catch for Seldon. Sayem Ahmad (17-3) bowled the other Bidborough opener as Knockers made a decent start in defence of their total.

First change brought on Calver (25-3) and Kutner (33-1). Calver's radar was in good nick with two bowled in his first two overs. Kutner's slingshot arm dragged a high top edge into Mitchell's gloved hand, only a loose last over upset two lean and mean spells from the new man. Miller (34-0) chipped in as Guido (28-1) kept on ringing the bowling changes, bringing himself on at the other end. While Miller questioned with flight and length, Howe watched his first over end a period of very few runs for the home side. Not that it stopped him buying a wicket as the man who had just hit him for a maximum then top edged to Ahmad's safe hands at square.

With ten overs to go and a healthy 97 run lead for the visitors, Bidborough's Hillhouse decided to go up through the gears. He saw off Miller and Howe, negotiated a tight spell from the returning Roberts but having brought the score up to 175 in the 30th over, he fell to Ahmad, the pick of Knockers' bowlers on the day. He then took a caught and bowled to complete his three wicket haul.

Wells had been practicing his big hitting from the sidelines for some time. Despite the end of of the home side's chances going with him, his team mates might have had a slither of enjoyment at his rapid return to the pavilion, curtesy of Calver, having offered many of them a fair bit of batting advice. Tillotson brought up his half-century but the total was beyond them and Knockers started the season with an enjoyable victory.

Man of the match: Gups
TFC: Lando
Wooden spoon: Tom Cobb

 

Batting

Batsman	How Out	4s	6s	Runs
Paul Seldon	caught	0	0	54
James Mitchell	bowled	0	0	5
Guy Howe	caught	0	0	59
Alan Amirtharaj	bowled	0	0	0
Richard Calver	bowled	0	0	36
Christian Kutner	bowled	0	0	0
Guthrie Miller	not out	0	0	35
Andy Roberts	not out	0	0	4
Scott Landers	dnb	0	0	0
Sayem Ahmad	dnb	0	0	0

 

Bowling

Bowler	Overs	Mdns	Runs	Wkts
Andy Roberts	8.0	2	33	1
Sayem Ahmad	7.0	2	17	3
Richard Calver	5.0	0	25	3
Christian Kutner	6.0	0	33	1
Guy Howe	3.0	0	28	1
Guthrie Miller	6.0	0	28	0

 

Match Photos