Knockers Vs Eridge

Win :: Played on Sunday 17th August 2014

Knockers
130-10

Eridge
124-9

Match Report

Captain Guy Maurits Howe, in the guise of John Bowden, led from the front as Knockers held on against Eridge to record their sixth win of 2014. In a cagey, low-scoring affair all three results were still on the cards as the final ball of the innings was bowled.

In overcast conditions Howe won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat. Late call-up Paul Cook opened the batting with James Mitchell as the rain began to fall. Unfortunately for Mitchell his afternoon was over early as he dragged his first delivery back on to his stumps. Cook played an array of well-timed strokes, all of which went straight to the fielders. He eventually executed a sumptuous straight drive for 4 just before play was halted due to a light rain shower. When play resumed Cook was clean bowled by an excellent delivery that leapt off the track, which had become rather juicy with the rain. This brought Lynden Spencer-Allen and Howe together and spectators were hopeful of a repeat of 2012, when the two Cambridge blues had taken Eridge to the sword. Indeed it looked that way as both began to open their shoulders, Howe in particular playing some powerful pull shots. However the partnership was broken when Spencer-Allen played across a straight ball, much to the delight of the Knockers Guestbook hecklers fearing another century retired. Stuart Seldon entered the fray and was positive from the outset, playing a series of lofted drives that plugged in soggy outfield. At the other end Howe began to let loose, dispatching one short delivery into the next field. So it came as a surprise when he then missed a pull shot to be bowled for 46. This somehow became 51 in the scorebook when Guy added in a four and a mystery overthrow to his own tally. Tom Watts hit a four off his first delivery but then chopped on, before Ted Darry managed to be bounced out by a rank long-hop. The dismissal of the day went to Stuart Seldon, who edged on to his thigh pad and watched helplessly as the ball trickled on to off stump and dislodged the bail. After a couple of crisp boundaries from Ahmad, Knockers rather collapsed in a heap as he and Scott Landers holed out, while Freddie Young missed a rather suspect sweep shot to be LBW. 130 from 28 overs was competitive in the conditions, but still perhaps a few short.

Tea was comprehensive and enjoyed in the company of the Chairman and the Miller clan. Captain Howe complemented his batting exploits with insightful anecdotes from the Battle of Britain. The absence of the Duke was also lamented.

Matt Watts and Ted Darry (yes you read that right) opened the bowling for Knockers with fine spells of outswing and inswing respectively. Matt Watts was particularly unlucky, regularly beating the bat and having a catch dropped behind by Hammer Hands. Darry made the first breakthrough with a well-directed yorker. He was replaced by Paul Cook, whose variety of dippers produced a close LBW shout. Cookie fell victim to some imaginative field placings as the batsman made the most of the lack of mid-on. Spells from Freddie Young and Sayem Ahmad then turned the game in Knockers favour. Ahmad consistently found a good length and moved the ball away, occasionally chucking in one that held its line. Young eventually broke the partnership when the opener sliced a drive to Matt Watts at cover. What followed then was the stuff of folklore. Captain Howe, sensing the opportunity, seizing the moment, moved Scott Landers to prowl in his natural habitat of the covers and put the safe hands of Matt Watts at mid-off, 10 yards further back than Landers had been. The very next delivery, the batsman spooned the ball up in the air. Matt Watts did not have to move to take the catch. Howe remained silent as the team basked in the aura of his genius. At this point, the match was evenly poised with Eridge requiring a further 47 from the final 7 overs, with 6 wickets remaining. Ahmad was rewarded for his hard work with an LBW to conclude a fine spell. As panic began to set in, Knockers held their nerve and Matt Watts and Lynden Spencer-Allen both effected run-outs. Watts and Darry returned to attempt to close out the game. Darry fired in another yorker to take the seventh wicket. Eridge were left requiring 12 to win from the final over, with 2 wickets remaining. Anything could happen. When the first ball went for four, hearts were in mouths. Enter Scott Landers, who, fielding at long on, pounced on a firmly struck straight drive, not only saving the boundary but hurling in the ball to run out the batsman. The momentum was all with Knockers now. Darry sealed the deal with a tidy end to the over. Knockers just scraped through.

Another fantastic game at a fantastic ground, which is fast becoming a happy hunting ground for Guido. With his exemplary batting displays and tactical nous, are we witnessing the rise of a new Knockers captain?

 

Batting

Batsman	How Out	4s	6s	Runs
Paul Cook	bowled	0	0	6
James Mitchell	bowled	0	0	0
Guy Howe	bowled	0	0	51
Lynden Spencer-Allen	bowled	0	0	9
Stuart Seldon	bowled	0	0	20
Tom Watts	bowled	0	0	7
Edward Darry	caught	0	0	16
Sayem Ahmad	caught	0	0	10
Scott Landers	caught	0	0	0
Freddie Young	lbw	0	0	1
Matt Watts	not out	0	0	1

 

Bowling

Bowler	Overs	Mdns	Runs	Wkts
Matt Watts	7.0	0	20	0
Edward Darry	7.0	0	28	2
Paul Cook	2.0	0	20	0
Sayem Ahmad	7.0	0	18	1
Freddie Young	7.0	1	32	3