The Thirds couldn’t make it five wins on the trot, falling short against Ropley Seconds at Newfound on a pleasant early summer afternoon.
Team News and Toss Drama
New boys Prash and Lil retained their places, and we welcomed new recruit Jack into the team. With the top order already in the runs this season—and an out-of-luck Jeff surely due a good knock—skipper Dan won the toss and had no hesitation (well, some) in electing to bat first.
An Inauspicious Start
Unfortunately, Jeff’s run of bad luck continued, this time with an early play-on to depart for 2 in the first over, bringing Tom to the crease. The opening bowler from the other end, the marvellously named De Wet Kruger (a burly South African, as the name implies), began by spraying the ball all over the place, but with enough power that Dan and Tom knew a good ball was always around the corner. Fortunately, ‘around the corner’ was where he continued to bowl—and was hooked.
After that, Dan and Tom began to build a platform, putting on a rapid 50-run partnership. Tom went in the 9th over with the score at 58—disappointing, as a big stand had looked likely.
Middle Order Wobbles
Noah joined Dan and the pair added 30, but both found the going hard; Ropley’s slow bowling, coupled with the usual Newfound vagaries, meant that five-shots-for-the-price-of-one were a regular occurrence. Noah soon departed for a skittish 20, bringing in Prash, who almost immediately attempted to run Dan out and, shortly after, completed the job by running himself out.
James M, promoted up the order, was undone by a grubber, and new boy Jack—after hitting a lovely boundary—was soon back in the pavilion. Harrison and Lil kept Steve company for a little while, but any thoughts of posting a commanding score had, by now, long since gone. The promise of the early overs crawled to a total of 160 all out. Not disastrous, but certainly a long way from acceptable.
Ropley in Command
Quick wickets were needed, and one of the opening batsmen was removed for 7. However, the skipper and number 3, De Wet Kruger (disappointingly not once referred to as ‘Freddie’ by the unimaginative Ropley players), began playing some big shots—not always convincing ones—and the scoreboard began to rattle up worryingly.
It was just one of those days against a team we really should be beating. But it was also clear that Freddie (why wouldn’t you call him that?) was playing several leagues below where he should be. His eventual four wickets and brisk 30-odd swung the game firmly their way.
A Tough Day at the Office
In truth, 160 was never going to be enough, and with our bowlers having an off day, the writing was on the wall early. Dan did his best to find a breakthrough, using eight bowlers in total, but despite two wickets for Lil (both well caught by James), Ropley cruised to their win.
On to the Next
We dust ourselves down and go again next week—away to the league leaders, who have been amassing huge scores and hefty victories. With the sun out again and the temperatures rising (at least, that’s what the Met Office tell me), we could be in for a chastening day—after which several beers at the clubhouse will be required.
A day to win the toss and bat first. Or, alternatively, we could be in for one of the great victories.
Still, despite the result, it was a good day in the sun against a friendly opponent.