Knockers Vs Penshurst Park

Lose :: Played on Sunday 21st August 2016

Penshurst Park
200-8

Knockers
191-10

Match Report

The future of Knockers cricket looked bright on what turned out to be a wet and dingy day. The setting could not have been better as Penshurst Place overlooked the undulating terrain of the green deck as an initial 8 man side set out in search of victory.

A. Kinsler O’Sullivan started well getting nice shape in to the right hander and after a handful of deliveries he proved too good for Nicholls (4) to a good nut. Ray fell in similar fashion as A. Kinsler O’Sullivan tore through the opening resistance of the Penshurst line up. Steady Eddy toiled away down at the other end but was short on luck as Boydon (81*) and Harbourne played a few flakey chips over midwicket that didn’t go to hand. As has often been seen throughout the year Ed had his hard work rewarded as he caught Harbourne (7) on the fifth attempt off his own bowling, confidently proclaiming ‘I was just playing with him’.

Clearly upset at being asked to vacate ‘his lordship’s property’ Ollie Marsh entered the fray to bring us to nine (having been loaned a fielder) whilst ‘seeing double’ but that didn’t stop the fiery onslaught that ensued. Cobb then joined in, enthused by the fomat (timed) and the fact we were fielding. Woodthorpe hit the deck hard at the other end before Marsh insisted on chin music in a vain attempt to send Jonesy back into the clubhouse, merely to get his helmet. He struck early getting an edge which Calver duly put down behind the stumps (the first of many it seemed). As Woodthorpe held a steady line that deserved a reward Marsh managed to cash in with Jonesy (12) falling victim to a war of words and playing on before Mylod (0) struggled to play a shot first ball before the off peg went flying. A strong LBW shout for the hatrick was turned down and Landers decided a change was in order before Marsh did any more damage.

F. Kinsler O’sullivan showed his class bowling an aggressive line and gained a wicket for his hard work as Cobb and Landers came on to make a game of it. Replacement balls were at the ready as Cobb feared for his average and Landers struggled against Boydon (81*) despite having him dropped at square leg by a surprised looking Griffiths. At 74-5 at drinks the batting side were propelled to 200 managing to squeeze their last over having discovered there were 29 seconds still to play before 4:30 working to the benefit of Marsh and A. O’Sullivan, both picking up wickets with Calver and Woodthorpe both taking catches. A special mention should go to Paul Seldon for his hard work at slip and for being the first man to defy gravity. As the ball flew to the third man boundary and Paul was left in a heap. He assured the team was alright, he just ‘fancied a sleep’.

Tea was a pleasant affair with a suitable array of sandwiches and quiche (Paul had managed to try the tuna at drinks which he assured us was adequate).With 201 as a target it should have been plain sailing.

The quick leg spin of Harbourne proved too much for Seldon (12) who perhaps fell victim to his aching joints. Ray soon did for Springett (0) who found the pitch kept low and so Cobb and Landers entered the fray. Cobb looked comfortable showing the team how to play picking the gaps nicely but Landers (7) couldn’t quite hold on and was bowled. Marsh was to be given no warm welcome in the middle and after sending Cheeseman for a big 6 he too was sent back for seconds of tea as Cheeseman showed his class with turn and bounce.

Calver grinded out a slow (0) before an ugly top edge and Woodthorpe was looking in fine touch with a classy 10. Griffiths, after turning down what could have been his first ever runs for Knockers, failed to save his wicket and too fell for a duck. By now our saviour Thompson had arrived from Bournemouth after discovering his car keys were in fact in the possession of a young lady, who Scott was quick to discover was not his girlfriend. Accusations of ‘pampas grass’ and ‘keys in a bowl’ were quickly stamped out by a nervous looking JT. The Kinsler O’sullivans did their best to hold the other end but Anton fell for 2 before Finn managed to remain solid in the second highest last wicket partnership for Knockers (51). JT looked good as he secured what seemed to be his second fifty in quick succession, the finest of his shots perhaps a towering 6 over extra cover. With 10 Needed off 9 balls and rain pouring down Thompson (52) rued turning down a single and an innings full of fight and class came to a premature end with Penshurst Securing the victory.

The performance was full of character and finesse and a young side showed that we have the talent to back up the experience. Our three match winning streak comes to an end but hopes remain high for what is sure to be another good game next week.

RC

 

Batting

Batsman	How Out	4s	6s	Runs
Paul Seldon	bowled	0	0	12
Ed Springett	bowled	0	0	0
Tom Cobb	caught	0	0	64
Scott Landers	bowled	0	0	7
Ollie Marsh	bowled	0	0	6
Richard Calver	bowled	0	0	0
Michael Woodthorpe	bowled	0	0	10
James Thompson	bowled	0	0	52
Will Griffiths	bowled	0	0	0
Anton Kinsler O'Sullivan	bowled	0	0	0
Finn Kinsler O'Sullivan	not out	0	0	4

 

Bowling

Bowler	Overs	Mdns	Runs	Wkts
Anton Kinsler O'Sullivan	9.2	1	19	3
Ed Springett	7.0	0	27	1
Michael Woodthorpe	5.0	0	31	0
Ollie Marsh	6.0	0	16	3
Finn Kinsler O'Sullivan	5.0	0	17	1
Tom Cobb	8.0	2	47	0
Scott Landers	3.0	0	31	0