Snday 2nd June

Match Report

On a bright and sunny day the mighty Lavant travelled to the lovely ground at Ferring CC. After many of the Lavant players were caught out by traffic there was a definite village feel to the start of proceedings. After a LOT of rain in the previous weeks the Ferring track looked like a beauty and gave the captains a headache at the toss as it could be a high scoring game.

After losing the toss the decision fell to the opposition captain who decided to ask Lavant to bat. GAME ON!

Lavant knew they had to try and build a commanding total to give them every chance of defending during the run chase. 

The two Lavant openers got stuck into their work quickly and were able to find the boundaries and rotate the strike passing 70 runs for no loss of wicket at a decent rate. The Lavant captain (carrying on his good Sunday and T20 form) picked up his first 50 of the season (even though the stand-in scores only clapped it when he reached 60)

At the other end Justin was keeping things steady selflessly trying score when possible and getting the skipper back on strike as much as possible and was able to contribute to building a commanding opening partnership with the captain being out with 62 off 49 balls (strike rate of 126) and Justin 36 off 33 (strike rate of 109) it was just what the was needed.

Following the openers was Richard who was able to cash in on his rhythm and form from the previous week and didn’t take long to get into his stride by moving through the gears and looking build on the solid foundation set up by the openers. Although he fell 2 short of his Lavant maiden 50 he scored quickly and made sure the scoring did not stagnate. 

At the other end (after tragically Steve got out chasing a wide ball after smashing his first ball for 4) was Lloyd who, after being new to the club and cricket, was able to not only score his first run for the club but also his first boundary, his first 2 digit score and a not out! He may be new to the game but has already got down the idea of batting for his average ;O)

I think the team took great pleasure in seeing Lloyd doing so well (as we all remember how hard it was starting out and having to learn how to play during games) and when he hit his first 4 it evoked the biggest cheer of the day! 

With the score nearing 200…..well we think it was as the Lavant captain had taken a 5 min crash course in scoring (come back soon please Shelia)….. Phil and Tam took to the middle looking to push hard for the final few overs with Tam finishing with a blazing 15 taking the Lavant total to 209 for 5 off 35 overs.

The Lavant players returned to the changing room pleased with their efforts but cautious that on such a good track and outfield that the chase couldn’t be taken lightly.

Tea was eaten, batting stories were exchanged, a massage gun was used and Lavant returned to the field looking to defend their total.

Looking to keep things tight for the start didn’t quite go to plan. I wouldn’t say Tam and Justin bowled that badly but it started to become clear quickly that pace on was playing right into the hands of the Ferring opening batters as any willow on leather was racing away to the boundary rope. which gave the opposition a solid start and a sinking feeling started to spread around the Lavant side. 

After 6 overs Lavant quickly changed gears and started to look to their slower bowlers to take pace off the ball and wrestle back control of the game before the scoreboard and run rate started to get out of control.

As has been customary this season the team looked to ‘King’ Richard in their hour of need and yet again he delivered bowling dot ball after dot ball and frustrating the Ferring batsmen who suddenly found it much harder to score. After his crusade Richard ended his spell with figures of 1 for 20 runs off 7 overs.

At the other end the skipper turned to ‘Super’ Stevie Brooker who after getting his bowling eye in by playing in the pouring rain on Thrusday night (an act of genius from the T20 skipper) took on the tough task of holding up the other end. Even though Stevie was nursing a debilitating dose of ‘gardener’s groin’ found a way of keeping his lines tight and ended with figures of 1 for 30 runs of his 7 overs.

With the game in the balance the Lavant skipper had to make a tough choice to continue the pace off plan and turned to Phil and Mark S. At such a crucial part of the game there was a feeling that this could be the turning point and it was not lost on the Lavant team the task ahead and pressure the two men would be under to try and continue the good work.

Phil and Mark both bowled beautifully. With plenty of boundary riders both men bowled to the plan with flight and guile hanging the ball outside the off stump and looking to frustrate the Ferring batters as much as possible. They say stats don’t lie but Phil bowled 4 overs for 18 runs and Mark 4 overs for 19 runs which, given the state of the game, was a brilliant effort. Well done both.

With the game coming to the close (and the run rate climbing) Lavant now turned back to Tam and Justin to see the team home and both were able to capitalise on the hard efforts of the team and tear into the batting order. 

With the game nearly done the Ferring youth player came out to bat so the Lavant skipper stood down the opening bowlers and asked Phil to take the last over as the team this week was missing James ‘The Child Slayer’ Cartman.

With the final over bowled Lavant were able to restrict Ferring to 166 for 6 off their 35 overs and take a very hard fought win!

Everyone in the field put in a real shift considering the changing of fielding positions to try and restrict the Ferring batsmen and keep the boundaries out. It was a real team effort in the field by everyone with bodies being put on the line to stop runs wherever possible! 

A very special mention must go out to Damien, Rob and James A who were not able to bat or bowl due to the nature of how the game unfolded but all three put in very crucial yards in the field and were extremely important cogs in the Lavant machine to get the win over the line and kept up with the team spirit throughout the day. A big thank you.

Man of the match goes to ‘King’ Richard for his 48 runs (to build upon the solid start) and his tremendous bowling performance to wrestle back the initiative for the side.

Champagne moment goes to Lloyd when he got away his first boundary. After a couple of chats and bits of advice I felt like a proud father when it happened and hoping there is plenty more to come.

All in all a great victory by the team. To get such a big first innings score was a great effort but the defence of the total from the team, when under pressure, was the most pleasing aspect. There were some tired and sore bodies in the changing room but a great atmosphere.

On to the next!