Match Report

After another dazzling week of sunshine the mighty Lavant (after a last minute fixture change) were on the road to Amberley (who we thank for hosting us and allowing us to have a fixture this weekend). The ground was bathed in glorious early May sunshine and warmth allowing the club’s lucky mascot (Foster) to make the most of the weather by basking in the sun rays like a Lizard (only moving by hopping from one foot to the other).

For the second weeking running the Lavant skipper lost the toss (obviously showing he needed to take winter tossing training more seriously) and was asked to bat.

Thankfully the skippers’ lack of winter tossing training to focus on batting paid off…

The Lavant skipper walked to the middle with Justin (who is in the form of his life) looking to capitalise on Justin’s current purple patch and hoped to get a good opening start on the board for the team. Form is a trickey mistress and not to be trifled with! 

After a watchful start from Justin and a slightly fidgety start from the skipper suddenly the innings burst into life in the 3rd over with the Lavant skipper’s nerves settling (and blowing away the batting cobwebs) to unleash shots through the cover region to the fence. In the distance from over the hills there was what appeared to be a sound of a bugle and a shout of ‘charge’ and from that moment both openers shifted into top gear and what followed was brutal. 

With the two great mates riffing off each other  (even having matching bats and helmets) the shots deployed from both openers became a spectacle with a mixture of class and brutal hitting from both men and the scoreboard was motoring. A highlight was a huge shot from each batsman sailing high and far but (due to local rules) they were downgraded to 4’s as they hit trees on the way out of the ground. Probably two of the biggest 4’s I think I’ve ever seen!

The Lavant skipper was able to bring up his first 50 of the season with a classy cover drive and at the halfway stage drinks were taken with the score at 122 for no loss. Looking to push on after drinks (and Justin able to register yet another 50 shortly after the restart) both men continued where they left off knowing so much more batting was left in the hutch.

With the Amberley field spread all around both openers were pushing for every run possible but finally the opening partnership ended when Justin didn’t quite catch a shot and was caught out for 72 ending a quite incredible opening stand of 177!

With Joe being padded up and waiting like a caged animal he was finally unleashed into the middle and delivered immediately, dispatching the ball to the fence and (much to the delight of the exhausted Lavant skipper) pushing hard for 1’s and 2’s. It was a sight to behold witnessing Joe’s effortless flicks just flying off his bat to the fence! 

At the 28th over mark (with heavy breathing and his power clearly fading) the Lavant skipper finally was out caught chipping a very tired shot in the air and walking off with 80.

In the next over Joe’s onslaught also came to an end but delivered the perfect (and selfless) innings for the team (out for 48) showing a mixture of class, hard running and brutal hitting.

With 235 on the board ‘super’ Steve Brooker walked to the middle with Will T looking to push hard and get as many as they could from the final 6 overs of the game. It’s never easy having to come in and start scoring quickly when there isn’t much time left in the game but both men did an incredible job by continuing the flow of the runs and not letting the innings stall. 

It was a cricketing 101 on how to finish out an innings with both men looking to score off everything, running hard and hitting boundaries whenever possible. It was a joy to watch such free flowing batting and both were able to walk off 29 no out and able to push the final first innings score to a massive 280 – 3.

Tea was taken, sweaty clothes were changed, LOTS of water, Lucozade and bananas were consumed and Lavant returned to the field of play buoyed and confident they could defend with the ball.

Lavant were happy to welcome back Chris ‘John’ Maclean back into the side for the first time this season with the Lavant adonis tasked with opening the bowling with Tam ‘Jean Claude van Tram’. Due to such a big first innings total it was clear that Amberley were going to come hard if they were to have any chance of chasing the total down and both Chris and Tam came under early pressure.  However both openers stuck to their task and worked hard for the team trying to keep things as tight as possible. 

The opening partnership led to early success with Tam cleaning bowling one of the Amberley openers in his 3rd over. Keen to retain their services for later in the game both opening bowlers were taken out of the attack ready for a second spell further down the line.

The Amberley #1 and #3 batsmen seem to be getting into their groove and with the scoreboard moving quickly and the run rate climbing the Lavant skipper shuffled his pack and deployed James and Justin hoping to control the worrying increase of runs being scored.

James started strong but found it tough going with the Amberley batsmen going hard at his bowling but in amongst the onslaught held his nerve and (with much relief) finally broke through the defences of the Amberley #3 finishing with 1-34 from his 7 over spell.

Similarly at the other end Justin was looking to keep things as tight as possible in an attempt to halt the free flowing scoring. With a air of concern starting to manifest around the Lavant skipper Justin was able to extract a devilish delivery by hitting a length hard at full power and extracting 1cm of bounce which flummoxed the Amberley #1 and slipped under his bat to clean bowl him finishing with 1-15 from his 4 over spell. Classic length pearoller. Textbook.

Shuffling his attacking options once more the Lavant skipper turned to ‘Chairman’ Mark and ‘King’ Richard looking to keep the game in check. The spin twins (with many a man stationed on the boundary fence) stuck to the plan and bowled to the set field. Even though both men received some tap from the Amberley batters (who in fairness were not giving up). Mark was able to clean bowl the set Amberley skipper (who was looking set for a big score) and also had another very smartly caught in the deep by Justin. Mark S finished with a very solid 2-32 from his 5 over spell.

At the other end the King was serving up tempter after tempter and was rewarded for his efforts picking up 3 wickets (all caught brillitantly in the deep by Justin and Joe) breaking the resolve of the Amberley batting unit ending with 3-43 from his 5 over spell.

With the game near to the end (and many a dark cloud looming on the horizon) the Lavant skipper returned to his openers to see the game home and both stuck to their jobs with Chris finishing his 7 over spell with 0-47 and Tam 1-34.

Amberley, after 35 overs, were only able to post 234 giving the win to Lavant and good thing too as no sooner had the teams shaken hands and arrived in the changing rooms the heavens opened up. With the rain thundering the finish had arrived just in time for a result. 

Lavant certainly didn’t have their greatest day bowling but it was understandable as (with such a high total posted) it meant the Amberley batters had to tee off from the start. What was pleasing was how much the side stuck together in the field and supported the bowlers as much as possible (understanding it wasn’t an easy gig being asked to bowl). Special mention goes to Nathan who put his body on the line for the team injuring himself early on but still stayed on the field working his socks off (with only being able to use one arm). We all hope that the injury isn’t too bad and he gets back into the fold asap.

It goes without saying the Lavant batting unit’s performance was a real highlight of the day and where the game was won. Not many teams could have chased down such an imposing total. 

Man of the match goes to Justin for a tremendous all round performance. Scoring big runs (again) and being part of a huge opening partnership that set up the game, standing up to be counted when bowling and displacing the set opener and being outstanding in the field taking a collection of terrific catches. 

Champagne moment also goes to Justin for taking an unbelievable one handed catch in the deep. With the ball seemingly soaring over the boundary fence Justin was able to take a couple of steps back, jump and throw out a big paw up to snaffle the ball one handed and stay within the boundary line. It was a stunning catch.

As always well done everyone, the mighty Lavant moves onto the next!