Sunday 9th June

Match Report

The mighty Lavant headed out for a long trek to the beautiful ground at West Meon (which did feel like it was in the middle of nowhere with Sat navs and directions testing the Lavant XI). 

The Lavant skipper won the toss and, as it was a timed game, elected to bowl first to allow for both a win and draw to be on the table for Lavant in the second half of the game (more on that later)…

The team got ready and took to the field a man down as Rob was running late and taking his time to park in front of the only place in the car park which had big signs saying ‘Emergency Exit – Do not park here’

With Tam injured Justin had to fill the large hole left by Lavant’s premier opening bowling and didn’t disappoint. Holding onto a great line and length he remained disciplined throughout his spell fizzing the ball down and keeping the runs down. He picked up a much deserved wicket (clean bowling the opening bat). There was even a moment where he had the keeper up to the stumps which seemed to please the watching crowd. Justin finished with 1-10 off 8 overs.

At the other end Will was, as per normal, doing Will things. Putting the ball on a nagging line and length (and getting the occasional ball to lift) bamboozling the West Meon batsmen and not allowing them anything to hit. Will also picked up a much deserved wicket ending with 1-12 off 8 overs.

As is now becoming customary ‘King’ Richard came on as first change (replacing Justin) and also got quickly into his work. As always he bowled balls consistently in challenging areas and extracting turn and bounce. With the West Meon #4 batsmen looking set and dangerous Richard was able to pick up his wicket at a crucial point of the game (plus also being able to hang on a caught and bowled which was hit back and hit him with venom). The King ended his reign for the day with 2-22 off 8 overs

At the other end James C was having a mixed day. After being subjected to some serious tap from the dangerous #4 batmen (and the Lavant captain looking take him out of the attack) Jame held his nerve to take a good catch from Richard to help dismiss the #4. After this he was able to settle back into his work and pick up wickets and regain control of the game. James finished with 2 wickets (albeit for an expensive 40 runs) from 7 overs.

John, after being missing in action for a few weeks doing his duty for king and country abroad, decided to holster his Walther PPK and return to the fray. After a solid start (and nursing sore palms) endured the tough task of needing to contain the set batsmen who were looking to push the score on in the last half an hour. His first 4 overs returned a wicket for 9 runs but the last two overs got away from the team leaving with John on 1-33 off 6 overs.

At the other end was Lavant’s resident ‘John Mcclane’ who was looking to try and bring down the West Meon partnership. Like John B his opening overs started well but then found it hard to contain the set batters finishing with 29-0 off 5 overs.

With a slightly comical run out (or an act of genius from Jim temping the batsmen to pinch another single) the first innings finished with West Meon getting a decent total of 153 for 8. There was a feeling that Lavant had allowed the good start to slip away. It felt like a good score on a wicket offering plenty for the bowlers and would be a tough chase.

Tea was taken, food was eaten, dogs were cuddled and a foam roller was used. Time for the Lavant chase.

Buoyed by his recent good form in Sunday and T20 the Lavant skipper perhaps got a little carried away (wanting to get the team off to a quick and solid start). After crashing the opening bowler to the extra cover boundary for 4 was outfoxed and missed a straight one being clean bowled for 5. 

Harry joined Justin in the middle and looked to build a solid foundation for the team against some very tight and tidy bowling by the West Meon bowlers. After the other opening bowler was brutally dispatched by Justin and removed from the attack after one over the first change bowler kept things tight and extremely challenging for the first hour’s play. Justin and Harry stuck to their task to keep Lavant in the game and it was an absorbing battle.

Both men should be very proud by doing their job of seeing off the tough bowling (and in gloomy conditions) to keep Lavant in the game but both fell to the West Meon leg spinner.

Will and Chris walked to the middle and knew they had to capitalise on the great work from Harry and Justin and both men got into their work quickly. Running singles and picking up boundaries where possible. Will showing the ‘Gower’ style and grace we have come to enjoy and Chris ‘Captain Boshington’ doing what Chris does (he’s like the Hulk smash of our Lavant Avengers team)!!

Due to the efforts of the top order Lavant were able to move into striking distance of a good win however once Chris and Will were out the tide turned with the Lavant middle order collapsing under the pressure of the West Meon captain / leg spinner. It came down to Rob to survive the last few balls of the penultimate over to perhaps leave a chance for John in the next over to snatch a famous win.

With everyone’s nerves shredded and the gloom of the day getting darker (reflecting the mood of the watching Lavant players) the game moved into the final over with all results still being possible!

The last over required 1 wicket for a West Meon win, 6 runs for an Lavant win or (with the last two Lavant batsmen at the crease) the option to try and hold out for the draw.

John was on strike. 1st ball…..dot! Second ball….DOT!

Third ball…..massive inside edge down to fine leg. Rob scurrying through for a single. 

Fourth ball….John calls Rob through for another single. Two balls to go…4 for a win! 

Fifth ball….DOT!

Last ball of the game…A WIDE! 3 to win. West Meon made sure all fielders who were patrolling the boundary were ready and switched on.

Last ball of the game (take 2)….A DOT!!

An amazing end to the game with Lavant finishing with 151 for 9 with the game ending as a Draw.

A big thank you to West Meon for hosting us. I hope I speak for everyone on the Lavant side that we were made to feel extremely welcomed by not only the West Meon team but all of their loyal followers who were watching from the pavilion. There was a lovely and engaging atmosphere the whole day and it was great to be part of it.

Special mention must go to Mark S for stepping in at the last minute. To travel that distance for the good of the club, work hard in the field and umpire is a credit to the man and someone who will selflessly do what is needed for the good of the club. A huge thank you. 

Man of the match goes to Will for (yet another) amazing display with the ball and a solid effort with the bat to get the team into a winning position.

Champagne moment goes to James C for held on to a fingertip catch from the crucial #4 West Meon batsman who was starting to go through the gears. 

Thank you to everyone.