League Match vs Tower Ravens, 3rd May 2008, Millfields

Millfields Mudbath
by Tony Tedore

Our Innings.
The early impressions were that runs would be few and far between on this pudding of a pitch at Millfields. How true this was to prove, with only 8 runs coming from the first 5 overs. After the loss of an early wicket, Doug Preecy began to judge the pitch better than most, getting forward to the pitch of the ball and knocking up 27 runs in the process. At the other end, Paul Teasdale hung around to score 23 runs. This partnership of 44 runs was to prove vital.

Wickets began to fall and the scoring rate was still less than 4 an over at the halfway stage. Captain Dave Hickey came to the crease and hit an important 17 runs in a partnership with Tony Tedore of 13.

The fields Fad limped over the 100 run mark and this was to be the final few runs as the tail was quickly wiped out with 2 overs still remaining. The Fields had only posted 120 runs, surely they could not win this...?

Their innings.

From the minute that Captain Hickey gave the battle cry "let's make 120 look like a big score", the Fields were up for this. The Tower Ravens got off to a fine start hitting several boundaries in the early overs. Something had to be done, and on came Paul Turley. Making a mockery of his recent back problems he bowled a superbly tight spell, finishing with 4-21.

In the field, Will Issac rolled up his sleeves and became an all-action hero. Firstly, from a great pick up in the covers, and with only one stump to aim at, he had a direct hit for a run out. Then, while bowling, he cleverly directed a straight drive onto the wicket, running out a stranded batsmen. Finally, in the deep he back-pedalled to take a fine catch to dismiss a key batsmen who was scoring quickly.

Doing a fine job behind the stumps, Robin Friend took a great catch, momentarily making the ball disappear 'magician-like' before finally revealing to his team mates that he had caught it. The Ravens were getting close to the 100 mark and things were not looking good.

On came Ben 'Colonel' Sanders. who bowled 4 overs, including 2 maidens, and finished with figures of 2-4. However, this match was not yet over. The score was now 115-9 and it could still go either way. Captain Hickey threw the ball to Tony Tedore, veteran slow medium pace trundler (er, are you sure you're that fast? - ed). There was no room for error. You could cut the atmosphere with a knife. This was squeaky bum time. The Ravens scored a single, before the third ball of the over had the batsman pinned back on his wicked and plumb LBW. The appeals of the 11 fielders could be heard in Walthamstow. The umpire lifted his finger in slow motion, 'Billy Bowden' like. Tony set off on a 'Monty' style run before being jumped on by his team mates.

The score finished on 116 and this was another memorable victory for The Fields. The team left immediately for the pub to celebrate and "warm down".

Here's the scorecard:

Our Batting:

Name		Scoring		How Out		Bowler		Total
Robin Friend				Caught		Jamie		2
Paul Teasdale				Caught		Mark		23
Doug Precey				Caught		Michael		27
Jason Lord				Bowled		Michael		0
Ben Sanders				Caught		Nick		10
Will Isaac				Caught and Bowled		Jamie		4
Dave Hickey				Bowled		Dennis		17
Tony Tedore				Bowled		Michael		6
Chris Skinner				Bowled		Michael		2
Simon Yates				not		out		0
Paul Turley				Bowled		Dennis		0

Our Bowling

Name	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets	Avg.
Will	6	0	19	0	-
Simon	5	0	52	1	52
Paul Turley	6	1	21	4	5.25
Tony	4.3	0	15	1	15
Ben	4	2	4	2	2