Saturday 20th July

Match Report

After a two week hiatus the mighty Lavant gathered at the home ground to welcome Grayshot on a very warm and muggy Saturday afternoon with the change of days completely flummoxing many of the Lavant players. If only we published the fixtures early so everyone could see them in advance….or send out a PDF for people to refer to….or have them all listed out in an app…we should look into that…

Either way the players who were able to figure out a calendar assembled at the ground and the Lavant captain yet again won the toss and decided to have a bat to try and pile on a big score on what looked to be a tricky wicket.

GAME ON!

With many of the mighty Lavant top order players missing the Lavant captain had already asked (some might say bent the arm) of ‘Super’ Steve Brooker to join him out in the middle as, with a big boundary one side and a slow outfield, the key could lie in knocking the ball into gaps and running 1’s and 2’s….with the occasional misunderstanding of trying to run each other out, colliding in the middle of the pitch and not calling due to panting heavily.

The openerning partnership started in a solid and steady fashion with both men keeping out opposition young quick and also the very young leg spinner who seemed to be bowling way beyond his years with plenty of dip and spin. 

Both openers did their jobs by keeping out the good balls and looking to score wherever possible to keep the score board moving and after the first hour had laid a solid platform of 70 odd runs with the Lavant skipper picking up his second 50 of the season. 

With the foundation laid both men looked to push the scoring along however at drinks both were in dire need of a sponge down finding warm and humid conditions very taxing but continued to try and run as many 1’s and 2’s as possible (even with the Lavant captain struggling to keep up with the effervescent Steve). 

With breathing becoming increasingly harder the lavant skipper decided to change gears and cut out running by hitting boundaries and raced towards 72 before being caught trying to crash a seam bowler over deep mid off.

With the skipper heading to a cold shower and a lie down the platform had been set to unleash the Lavant power house middle order with 122 on the board and an hour left to bat. 

With the Grayshot bowlers flagging, Young Zach (making his Lavant debut) took on the challenge and started launching anything in his arch (with proud dad Martin capturing everything on camera) and scored quickfire 39 before being bowled trying to smash another boundary. 

With the Lavant captain out Steve started to look to get the run rate moving but fell 8 short of his 50 and left the middle with 42 to great applause and appreciation from his team mates for his valuable contribution in the opening partnership. 

Next entered Phil who didn’t take long at all getting into his work and getting stuck in and after a couple of sighters launched the first 6 of the game…and then followed it up with another 6. It was great to see him batting with good rhythm and playing fluently and was just what the team needed looking to get as many runs as possible.

With Chris, Martin, Rob and Tam all being selfless and playing for the team (by looking to score as soon as they got to the middle) they all contributed and Lavant ended with 208.

Once the Lavant skipper was let back into the changing room (after someone had locked him out whilst in the shower)……no mentioned who that was….but their name might rhyme with Bob…..he was able to lay out tea for everyone (and families) to tuck into and enjoy. I must say it was lovely to see both teams’ families together during tea. What village cricket should be about. 

Once tea was eaten, sweaty clothes were changed, a banana AND a viennese whirl was eaten Lavant took to the field confident with over 200 on the board that they could bowl out the opposition.

The Lavant skipper turned to his two of his main opening bowlers (Chris and Tam) who had differing games. Chris came pounding in showing great rhythm putting the ball time and time again in the same place keeping it tight and picking the wicket of the opposition opening bat. Chris finished his 6 over spell with 1 wicket for 14)

Tam at the other end was having an uncharacteristic off day with the ball by not being able to quite find his rhythm however still managed to pick up a wicket of the other opening bat (with the help of a very smart catch from Matt H who was able to drop the ball, volley it back up off his thigh and catch the rebound).

After seeing out the opening spells the Grayshot batters were starting to build a partnership and get into the game. The Lavant skipper turned to ‘the better Ian’ and young Zach in an attempt to find a breakthrough.

Ian R (who had been taking a much deserved break from cricket) returned to the fold like he had never been away. Bowling ball after ball in challenging areas and beating the edge on multiple occasions whilst not offering much in the way of balls to score from. It seemed like it could be one of those days but was finally rewarded by catching the edge / glove through the keeper for his first wicket of the season. 

At the other end the dangerous looking Grayshot #4 batter seemed to be growing in confidence and putting decent innings together. With the Lavant captain putting a plan in place with his bowler to frustrate Ian R yet again delivered the massive breakthrough moment by forcing an error with the #4 batter chipping up a ball to the very safe pair of hands of Matt. Ian R was key to opening the game up and finished his 7 over spell with 2 wickets for 22.

At the other end Zach ran in with purpose and was zipping the ball through causing issues and was able to pick up his first wicket (yup, caught by Matt AGAIN) and was very unfortunate not to have picked up another but was great in holding up the other end.

With Lavant on top the last 20 overs were called and the home side looked to go all out for the win. The Lavant skipper shuffled his bowlers again and brought on Matt who was able to out fox the #6 batter with a delivery that caused much confusion. After the delivery started in the clouds it was visible to see the batter first think it could be a no ball, to then considering it to be a wide to then leaving it…..at which point the ball had dipped and hit the base of the leg stump! 

At the other end Lavant turned to the ever dependable Dave B who was quickly into his work picking up a wicket in his first over and probing the defences of the lower order.

The Lavant captain (with runs not being an issue) was enjoying listening to his natural attacking instincts (having 3 slips, a gully and everyone else within close into the wicket). 

With the game coming to the close it was fitting that Dave (who had bowled so well) was able to take the last wicket of the game and round off a great win (finishing his 7 over spell with 2 wickets for 4)!!

Man of the match is shared between Ian R and Dave B. Ian R – For holding his nerve, sticking to the plan and picking up the crucial wickets to break the game open. Dave B – After being held back ready for the time to smash through the lower order resistance and get Lavant over the line for the win.

Champagne moment goes to Matt for not only the multiple grabs but mainly for one which he was able to juggle it, then have the calmness and presence of mind to volley it back up off his thighs before confidently grabbing the rebound! 

Thanks to everyone for a good win and on to the next!