Knockers Vs Eridge

Winning Draw :: Played on Sunday 19th August 2012

Knockers
189-6

Eridge
125-6

Match Report

CAMBRIDGE BLUES SHOW TOUCH OF CLASS IN KNOCKERS WINNING DRAW

On a muggy afternoon at Eridge, Knockers put behind them the horrendous defeats to Otford and Ide Hill to claim a winning draw.

Knockers batted first after a gentlemen's agreement. Captain Howe went with an attacking batting line up, in the hope to put a big score on the board. Knockers started slowly against a miserly Eridge attack Cook (2) and Mitchell (16) found it difficult to cope the left arm bowling from one and the slow swing from the other. Cook decided to try and force the pace and was bowled, he later claimed he was trying to flick it to the leg for a single, although it looked more like an uncultured slog to a ball on middle stump. This bought the captain GMH to the crease, the skipper (62) started slowly with some text book defensive shots. The runs started to flow, all of a sudden Howe flicked one into the air the fielder came round to take the simple chance but no Howe survived, the fielder manage to avoid all contact with the ball. After a couple more chances from both batsmen were shelled, Mitchell gave one to many and was caught at square leg to a fielder wearing a jumper, whilst fielding in the 30 degrees heat.

GMH, was joint at the crease by fellow Cambridge Blue compatriot LSA (65*) the pair began to up the rate, striking the ball well and finding the boundary on regular occasions. The skipper was now set, putting the ball to all parts of the ground, dictating the bowling. GMH was striking the ball like nobody had seen before. He smashed one into the covers so hard it passed between the legs of the fielder who earlier had dropped him on 10, the fielder chased in vain to the boundary, angry at himself he threw his glasses over the boundary.

Howe and LSA began so assert and take the game away from the home side. The moment the travelling fans had been waiting for Howe smashes one out of the ground to bring up his maiden Knockers half century in style (his first in senior cricket). Howe was dismissed shortly after trying one big shot too many. Debutant Christian Kutner (3) briefly joint LSA at the crease, as did Tom Watts (4).

Tom Cobb (15*) joint LSA out in the middle. With only 10 minutes left to bat LSA decided he wanted to protect his average faking injury forcing him to leave the field of play retired hurt. The destructive Ben Cobb (0) strode to the crease looking to cause some damage in the remaining minutes. Cobb was out leading edge trying to force one to leg in the hope on retaining the strike. This led to the opposition say 'we assume it he doesn’t play much’ to umpire James Mitchell . Matt Watts (2*) helped Tom Cobb guide Knockers to a commanding total of 189-6 at the interval.

During the interval Knockers enjoyed the tea of the season. We were even treated to a selection of cheese offered to us via Gups, who was having his first Cheese and Conversation Club meeting. Lots of food was consumed by a certain Paul Cook, who later began expelling his consumpition back out of his body via his mouth and arse whilst fielding at slip, which LSA seemed to enjoy a little too much.

Knockers came out into the field knowing they had to work hard in the heat, if they were to win this game. Howe rounded his troops and readied them for battle with an inspirational talk, comparisons were made to Churchill.

The Knockers opening attack of Matt Watts (3-13) and Tom Cobb (1-12) started well, bowling with pace and aggression. The openers kept the runs to a minimum early on, Cobb struck first forcing the batsman back causing him to play on and be bowled.

Howe then turned to Rupert Grint aka David Brigden (0-27) for some wizardry but unfortunately not even he could work his magic. Fred Young (0-21) bowled well from the either end with some good variation and guile. Although Knockers were bowling well they had failed to add to Cobb’s earlier wicket. GMH was running out of options he threw the ball to the debutant Kutner (0-20) who struggled in his short spell, wide’s were a regular occurrence from this bowler it was believed he was trying to bowl to fast in a bid to impress his lady friend as he knew he was in danger of losing her to the well-known ladies’ man Howe who had impressed throughout the day.

Howe (0-8) changed things again bringing Ben Cobb (2-8) on from one end and himself from the other. Cobb tore into the middle order bowling with pace, whilst the skipper kept it tight but remained wicket less at the other end. With only a few overs remaining Howe went back to the opening attack in the hope they could blast out the remaining batsmen Watts answered the call with 3 wickets but Cobb couldn’t do anything from the other end and was withdrawn from the attack to be replaced by Grint hoping that he could provide some late magic. The last over was upon us, needing 3 wickets for the win it was down to Matt Watts to win the game for Knockers LSA was providing Watts with cash incentives if he could take the remaining wickets needed but unfortunately no wickets fell and the game was drawn.

Looking back on the result Knockers will be happy to have put up a decent display, after to damning results in previous weeks.

Man of the Match – Only one man could be given this award the majestic GMH, need we say more.

 

Batting

Batsman	How Out	4s	6s	Runs
Paul Cook	bowled	0	0	2
James Mitchell	caught	2	0	16
Guy Howe	caught	7	1	62
Lynden Spencer-Allen	not out	8	1	65
Christian Kutner	bowled	0	0	3
Tom Watts	caught	0	0	4
Tom Cobb	not out	1	1	15
Ben Cobb	caught	0	0	0
Matt Watts	not out	0	0	2
David Brigden	dnb	0	0	0
Freddie Young	dnb	0	0	0

 

Bowling

Bowler	Overs	Mdns	Runs	Wkts
Matt Watts	10.0	0	13	3
Tom Cobb	7.0	0	12	1
David Brigden	7.0	0	27	0
Freddie Young	5.0	0	21	0
Christian Kutner	3.0	0	20	0
Ben Cobb	6.0	0	8	2
Guy Howe	2.0	0	8	0