Knockers Vs Ightham

Win :: Played on Sunday 9th June 2019

Knockers
183-5

Ightham
159-7

Match Report

Knockers put in Dynamic Performance to Ensure Victory at Ightham

The boys in maroon turned up with high spirits on an overcast Summers day as they sought to continue their unbeaten season. Akhil’s mood was immediately dampened by the 20-yard square leg boundary on one side, although many Knockers proudly asserted that they might be able hit it a six for once!

The toss was won by Captain Fantastic, Mr. Ollie Marsh who didn’t hesitate when deciding to bat. David ‘Ziggy’ Bowen (58) and debutant Mark McKiernan opened the batting, and put on a gritty but determined opening stand. McKiernan (10), was the first to depart, late cutting straight to gully. The gully fielder, took a one handed blinder. As Mark trudged off, John Mitchell (8) strode out to the crease in a confident mood, asserting his authority with two disdainful pull shots for 4. McKiernan was left wondering what could’ve been though, as the same fielder who took the blinder, granted Mitchell a second life after dropping, what can only be described as an absolute dolly. He was not to be outdone by our own fielding, but we’ll come to that later on. John eventually departed bringing Guy Howe (63) to the crease. Guido and Ziggy batted very sensibly, as they shared a 100-run partnership. Guido looked comfortable against the 20mph leg spinner, and played possibly the best shot of his life. A nonchalant slap over extra cover for 6, followed by a cocky flourish of the bat, whilst proudly proclaiming to Freddie at square leg that he had reached 32-runs. More boundaries followed, and while I would love to report that Guido looked at his streaky best, it was also a delight to watch him at his very best. Loud calling, confident running (yes, running!) and clever shot selection took him to his first KCC 50 since 2015 (59 vs Bidborough). Ziggy bought up his own 50 in the same over as the pair accelerated the run rate as Knockers took control of the game. A more reserved innings from Ziggy included some sumptuous cover drives but he fell to the leg-spinner, top edging to the wicket keeper. Guido soon followed, Ollie Marsh (2) came in and out and Akhil (20*) was well supported by Neil Dave (11*) to take the score up to 183-5 off our 35-overs.

A good tea was enjoyed by all. At this point in the day, Guido’s cigarette count was close to overtaking his run count for the day. Sugar and Spice opened the bowling for Knockers. Rory (0-24) and Freddie (1-22) combined well, when they decided to pitch the ball up. With a dropped dolly off Fred and Rory flinching every time the ball came within five yards of him, we made it harder for ourselves. The run rate was in order however, and Agnew (1-9) and Watts (0-17) ensured Knockers stayed well on top. A 5-run penalty, courtesy of the worst Knockers keeper of the day (Akhil) letting the ball hit his helmet, was a minor hiccup in a fine bowling performance from the team. At drinks, Fred took the gloves off Akhil who was promised a bowl by the skip. Ziggy bowled some fine leg spin, with Matt Watts and Marshy bowling some incredibly tight line and lengths to limit Ightham’s scoring. McKiernan and Neil Dave came on, with the oppo needing more than a run a ball. Two sharp grabs by the new keeper and Marshies safe hands in the deep off Anand’s bowling secured victory for the Knockers.

Highlights

Ziggy and Guido 50s
Hector and Marshies bowling
Freddie’s keeping

Or, as Guido saw it:

Guy Howe won the game for Knockers despite injuring himself lifting a lorry to save a kitten belonging to a beautiful girl who instantly fell in love with him.

Informing her of his duty to his club and dismissing the medical care his dislocated shoulder demanded, he paraglided over a traffic jam to land on the square fully kitted to halt a batting collapse and build a defendable score.

With the bowling letting him down, he stepped up to bowl with his wrong arm, giving a world class example of Chinaman bowling to rip through the home team with ten caught and bowled wickets. The MCC delegation sent to monitor his talent instantly installed him as President and captain of the test side.

 

Batting

Batsman	How Out	4s	6s	Runs
David Bowen	caught	7	0	58
Mark McKiernan	caught	1	0	10
John Mitchell	caught	2	0	8
Guy Howe	bowled	13	6	63
Akhil Anand	not out	2	0	20
Ollie Marsh	caught	0	0	2
Neil Dave	not out	1	0	11
Matt Watts	dnb	0	0	0
Hector Agnew	dnb	0	0	0
Freddie Young	dnb	0	0	0
Rory Goodson	dnb	0	0	0

 

Bowling

Bowler	Overs	Mdns	Runs	Wkts
Rory Goodson	4.0	0	24	0
Freddie Young	7.0	1	22	1
Hector Agnew	5.0	1	9	1
David Bowen	4.0	0	39	1
Matt Watts	5.0	0	17	0
Ollie Marsh	4.0	2	6	1
Mark McKiernan	4.0	0	19	2
Neil Dave	2.0	0	10	0
Akhil Anand	1.0	0	2	1