Sunday 15th September

Match Report

After the previous week’s game had been rained off the mighty Lavant arrived to the ground basked in September sunshine looking hopeful to get a full day’s play in. 

The Lavant skipper lost the toss and DACD elected to bat, giving the opportunity for Lavant to try and make early breakthroughs and keep the total down to a chaseable amount.

GAME ON.

The team took the field with the skipper asking Justin and Chris to open the bowling and set the tone and both men did. Chris ‘John’ Maclean (getting past a bit of rustiness having not played for weeks) bowled a probing line and length asking several questions of the DACD batters techniques. At the other end Justin was building on the opening partnership bowling full and fast and made the early breakthrough in the second over and then continued on to remove #2 and #4 finishing with figures of 3 for 10 off his 6 over spell.

Chris continued to probe and was deeply unlucky on many occasions not to pick up a wicket but was finally rewarded for his hard efforts in his final over finishing with 1 for 13 off his 7 over spell.

With DACD reeling the Lavant captain turned to the Chairman (Mark S) and James A to continue the good work set by the opening bowlers. With cover set in the field both men stuck to their tasks well keeping the scoring down during the DACD rebuild. Mark S finished with 0 for 29 off his 6 over spell and James A finished with 0 for 29 off his 5 over spell.

DACD had steadied the ship and had set a platform for their batting unit ready to kick on. The Lavant captain changed his bowling attack to bring on ‘The King’ Richard and Dave ‘The Shoes’ Burford looking to contain the flow of runs and halt the DACD counter attack.

Richard got into his work fast and extracted plenty of turn and bounce from the wicket, bamboozling the batting unit and picking up wickets at a crucial point of the game finishing with 3 for 22 off his 7 over spell.

Dave at the other end was bowling a mixture of deliveries that also seemed to bamboozle the opposition in different ways but was equally as effective picking up 3 wickets for 13 off his 7 over spell.

With the flow of runs stifled Lavant were able to bowl out DACD for 119 with 10 minutes to spare.

Tea (after the 3rd time of trying for poor Phil and Jackie) was taken.

The Lavant captain and Justin walked to middle looking to set a platform to allow them to chase down the required 120 runs but the Lavant skipper was out cheaply for 2 to a smart running catch at extra cover. 

Joe was next in and looked to also get into his innings but managed to hit the ball up high to be caught by a DACD’s fielder lying on his back on the floor in his chest (rumour is that he has a rubber rib cage)!

Harry was next in also looking to steady the ship but also fell cheaply LBW.

After 13 overs and the score 33 for 3 there was a nervous hush around the home side. Thankfully Justin had managed to stay in and grind himself back into a bit of form.

With Lloyd coming to the crease next suddenly there was a release in the pressure with Lloyd looking to smash anything that came into his arc. Justin similarly was also able to cut loose and both men started to find the runs with boundary hitting and hard running between the wickets picking up 1’s and 2’s putting the fielding team under pressure. 

At the halfway point the score had passed the 50 mark and confidence started to return to the side. When Lloyd was out for 14 he (and Justin) had been able to gather some much needed momentum.

Phil walked to the middle and selflessly looked to give the strike to Justin (who had not started to find some confidence). Justin was able to cut loose and unleashed some big hits all around the ground!

With the scoreboard now motoring Justin was able to pick up a much deserved 50! 

Once Phil was out for 13 it was left for Chris to enter the stage and help Justin take Lavant home with 8 overs to spare for a solid win! Justin was able to carry his bat with a match winning 65 not out.

Man of the match goes to Justin for a tight opening spell (picking up 3 wickets) and a vital (and well timed) 65!

Champagne moments are shared between Justin and Richard. Justin for a monster 6 over the trees into the farmers field and Richard for a ‘ball of the season’ which pitched on leg stump and turned a mile to take the top of off stump and clean bowl the left handed batter! 

Well done everyone and on to the next!