Knockers Vs Eridge

Lose :: Played on Sunday 20th August 2023

Knockers
214-7

Eridge
215-6

Match Report

There will be no humour in this report. There will be no jovial slights in this report. There will be no manipulation of the truth in this report. What I hope that there will be is a clear depiction of my thanks and gratitude to the hardy 9 players who arrived at Eridge and committed to an outstanding game of cricket.

I appreciate the hard work and positive attitude they each gave to the game and by no means wish to ignore the individual successes of each of them. For this game had the potential to flop. But a contest it was. The motley crew of the Knockers arrived in drips and drabs, and stand-in captain Calver managed to negotiate down to a 35 over game, won the toss and elected to bat in the hope that the final few would arrive in time to bowl. This unfortunately was a misplaced hope.

Gibbs (112) and K(Br)ettle (41) opened up on a glorious sunny day in Eridge. Both looked assured, playing glorious strokes both sides of the wicket, running well and barely offering a chance to the opposition within the first 10 overs. After Brettle chipped one to cover, Ziggy (0) was dismissed by some outstanding fielding at point to his frustration, but his departure paved the way to M. Landers' destructive 38.

Both Gibbs and Landers glutted themselves on bowling which was by no means easy and proved what a classy pair they were. With 8 overs to play and Knockers with a healthy score of about 170, the murmurings of a barrage of boundaries from the self-proclaimed "bomb squad" of Mitchell (0), Munday (7), Mayne (2*) and Calver (0) never quite materialised. Kutner (12*) saw us home and batted the overs with a very healthy score of 214 put on by the 9 batsmen available. Gibbs knock will not easily be forgotten.

Tea was a sociable affair, with discussion surrounding pickles of all varieties (most widely appreciated by Bowen who sheepishly admitted to an immoral if not an unhealthy love of pickled eggs). Discussions finally ended with a question to trouble any great thinker: can you pickle a pork pie?

With no sign of reinforcements and a slightly Saturday-league like glint in his eye, Calver tried to rally his 300 Spartans in the face of the onslaught of Eridgian Persians banging on the gates at Thermopylae. Much like the propaganda of Herodotus so celebrated by Western media, the Knockers bowling effort was surely a moral victory. Yet, like the Spartans, they too ended up bowling in the shade of the sixes which reigned down upon TN3.

Knockers made up for their lack of numbers through the nagging line and length so deftly found by the imposingly attractive and pleasingly alliterative combination of Munday (7-0-21-0) and Mayne (7-0-36-2). Particular credit should go to Munday for his tight figures, aggressive line and cause for the opening batsman to quickly retreat for a helmet in the first over when facing the full-length deliveries. Both were economical and set a great tone for the innings.

Munday supported Calver usefully with cricketing nous in the field and Mayne took pivotal wickets at key times. The first change of Kutner (7-0-32-0) and Bowen (7-0-2-44) brought risk and reward. Their commitment must be commended and Ziggy should be congratulated with holding down an end with ease against some good batsmen. Kutner hit the pitch hard and realised the team needed him to dig deep, and a fine trench of admirable depth he produced, hitting the bat time after time.

Yet the flaw in the plan fell to 7 important overs which needed to be found between Gibbs (5-0-57-1), Brettle (1-0-18-0) and Mitchell (1-0-12-0). I cannot fault their impact. When called upon at a time when no spinner should be asked to bowl, with a field that resembled a thinly clad bathing suit, they did what their captain required.

Never was a complaint heard. With the return of Munday, Mayne and Kutner, Eridge dangled the carrot of victory before the Knockers, but to no avail, claiming victory by 4 wickets. However, a great game it was and those present understood what a spectacle had been put on. I must once again thank those who came and gave their Sunday for the effort. I understand that it was long, hot and hard, but I hope that you, like me, can sleep in the knowledge that it was one of the great performances.

RC

 

Batting

Batsman	How Out	4s	6s	Runs
Alfie Gibbs	caught	12	3	112
Will Brettle	caught	3	1	41
David Bowen	caught	0	0	0
Matt Landers	caught	5	0	38
John Mitchell	lbw	0	0	0
Jonah Munday	bowled	0	0	7
Lawrence Mayne	not out	0	0	2
Richard Calver	caught	0	0	0
Christian Kutner	not out	2	0	12

 

Bowling

Bowler	Overs	Mdns	Runs	Wkts
Jonah Munday	6.0	0	21	0
Lawrence Mayne	7.0	0	36	2
Christian Kutner	6.0	1	32	0
David Bowen	7.0	0	44	2
Alfie Gibbs	5.0	0	57	1
Will Brettle	1.0	0	18	0
John Mitchell	1.0	0	12	0