Knockers Vs Tonbridge

Win :: Played on Sunday 4th August 2002

Tonbridge
165-5

Knockers
168-9

Match Report

Knockers Continue Winning Ways

Knockers arrived at Tonbridge in confident mood, looking to extend their four match winning streak. Captain Edward Irwin won the toss and put Tonbridge into bat hoping that the soggy wicket would improve as the match progressed.
Irwin and Lynden Spencer-Allen bowled an excellent line from the start and with the ball swinging in overcast conditions, the Tonbridge openers had difficulty putting bat on ball. Eventually after several frustrating overs, Irwin bowled their opener with an excellent in-swinging delivery. Shortly after, Alex Spencer-Allen joined the attack and despite having one opportunity dropped, he forced another mistake and claimed a wicket of his own, a sulky Marshall taking the catch at square-leg. However, Knockers failed to capitalise on their strong position and were frustrated by the obstinate batting of Hamiltons and Simmons for several overs. After eight overs of excellent bowling, a disconsolate Irwin decided his luck had run out and brought on Corin Spencer-Allen. In contrast to last week Corin began with medium pacers before resorting to his off-spin, bringing back memories of a young Steve Trounce. The spin twins CSA and Darry bowled tightly but with little success. Eventually the frustration proved too much for CSA who fizzed a bouncer into Hamiltons chest. Wood replaced CSA and octogenarian Hamilton went after him immediately. Despite the odd loose delivery, Wood managed to keep a fairly tight line. However, both batsmen found easy runs to Howe at deep midwicket, each shot accompanied by a cry of, "there's always run to his arm".
Hamilton finally let his concentration waver and set off for an optimistic single but a ruthless Wood was on hand to run him out. However, Simmons and Sergeant increased the run rate and Simmons quickly reached a well-deserved 50 having previously survived a chance off the widest ball of the day from Howe. Runs continued to flow until a mix up between the batsmen caused the run out of Simmons for 68. Oli Boreham was next to strike, claiming a wicket of his own whilst Andy Marshall at the other end showed promise with the ball. Tonbridge eventually declared with a total of 165.

The Knockers innings got off to an inauspicious start as Boreham gave his wicket away after only three deliveries. Thomas was next to follow, looping a leading edge to mid-on. The collapse continued as most of the middle order succumbed to excellent bowling by Heliyar who finished the game with six wickets. Only Guthrie Miller (30) and Lynden Spencer-Allen provided any early resistance both looking comfortable and scoring freely until they succumbed to the uneven bounce. A winning total looked a long way off when Edward Irwin joined Corin Spencer-Allen at the crease with the total at 55-7 with victory a distant prospect. However, The Knockers batsmen threw caution to the wind and their powerful hitting and hard running put them in a commanding position until C-Spencer-Allen (40) was caught on the boundary to end a match-winning eighth wicket partnership of 88. Irwin (51) responded in fine style by smashing his timely, maiden Knockers 50 but then with only 2 runs needed to win, he obviously hadn't read the script and was dismissed by a quick ball from Evans. Darry blocked out the last few balls of the over to leave Howe on strike for the penultimate over. With the match hanging in the balance it was left to Howe to hit the winning runs and continue the Knockers five match unbeaten run.

M Thomas

 

Batting

Batsman	How Out	4s	6s	Runs
Oli Boreham	bowled	0	0	0
Martin Thomas	caught	0	0	2
Andrew Marshall	bowled	0	0	0
Guthrie Miller	lbw	5	0	31
Alex Spencer-Allen	caught	0	0	0
Matthew Wood	caught	0	0	2
Lynden Spencer-Allen	caught	2	0	12
Corin Spencer-Allen	caught	3	0	40
Ed Irwin	bowled	4	1	51
Guy Howe	not out	1	0	4
Andy Darry	not out	0	0	0

 

Bowling

Bowler	Overs	Mdns	Runs	Wkts
Lynden Spencer-Allen	7.0	0	23	0
Ed Irwin	8.0	2	8	1
Alex Spencer-Allen	4.0	1	15	1
Corin Spencer-Allen	5.0	2	8	0
Andy Darry	5.0	0	6	0
Matthew Wood	8.0	0	35	0
Guy Howe	4.0	0	28	0
Andrew Marshall	3.0	0	20	0
Oli Boreham	5.0	3	13	1