Match Report  

After Ashling couldn’t raise a team the mighty Lavant had a change in fixtures that seemed to spook many a team member who lost their availability and left the Lavant captain (not for the first time this season) scrambling to find a team.

Leaving it until the final hour an 11 was assembled and the team travelled to Fittleworth.

The Lavant captain lost the toss and the home side elected to bowl first.

Fittleworth looked hungry and with Keir and Steve B opening the bowling they were faced with opening batters who didn’t take long to get into their stride, and if they were not smashing boundaries through gaps they were gifted runs through fielders, and were also able to push easy ones to the creaking Lavant fielding unit.

However Steve and Keir stuck to their tasks as best they could. Steve finished his 7 over spell 0 for 41 and Keir finished his 7 over spell also 0 for 41.

Peter and Tam gave it their all and were able to contain the Fittleworth batters for a period. Peter finished his 4 overs 0 for 23 and Tam completed his 3 overs 0 for 17.

Will T was brought into the attack to try and halt the batting onslaught and yet again was able to pick up a wicket in his first over, forcing the Fittleworth #1 to chip one up in the air to be caught at mid-on.

After being rested Will returned to complete his 7 overs and finished 1 for 28.

Justin also entered the fray and was able to pick up a wicket of the #3 but also took some tap from a charging Fittleworth batting unit completing his 7 over spell 1 for 59.

With a run out (executed superbly by Steve Cox who had kindly taken the gloves behind the stumps) it was starting to become clear it was a complete mismatch in teams. 

Fittleworth finished 232 from their 35 overs and Lavant left the field of play looking like soldiers returning from the front line.

Tea was taken and opportunities were given to people to have a bat.

Jim and Rob started for Lavant and stood up well to the bowling but Jim was out caught for 1 and Rob out plum LBW for 9.

Next was Harry who did his very best to get going, dispatching some nice shots through the covers but was undone, clipping the ball up in the air being out caught for 17.

Steve B walked to the middle and looked to get going but also fell being bowled for 9.

Steve C was next and was out caught for 6.

Will T came and went being out caught and bowled for 1.

Peter entered and tried his best but was also out bowled for 3.

At 7 down in the 23rd over and only 71 scored, Keir walked to the middle and showed great character. Standing up to the opposition’s bowling and the onslaught of chat Keir was able to dispatch some lusty blows to the boundary. On a day of little positives Keir’s batting was one that stood out and was appreciated by his team mates. 

Tragically Keir was left stranded with the top score of 18 with Justin out LBW for 17, Tam out bowled for 7 and the Lavant skipper picking up a golden duck.

Lavant were all out in the 29th over for 105.

It was a frustrating day all round and evidently a complete mismatch of teams in terms of age, mobility and ability. However we must remember to remain humble in defeat and congratulate Fittleworth for their  victory. 

On to the next!

Man of the match

For sticking to his task well with the ball and standing up with the bat (and top scoring) man of the match goes to Keir (he probably would have won it just for biffing the ball to the long barrier so hard it smashed into a fence panel with a massive bang)! 

Champagne moment

On a day of not many highlights one moment stood out when Steve Cox had to chase down the ball to the boundary and retrieve it from a water sprinkler. Manfully he just dived in to retrieve the ball like a dog! It offered some light relief on a difficult day. 

Peter and Tam gave it their and were able to contain the Fittleworth batters for a period. Peter finished his 4 overs 0 for 23 and Tam completed his 3 overs 0 for 17.

Will T was brought into the attack to try and halt the batting onslaught and yet again was able to pick up a wicket in his first over forcing the Fittleworth #1 to chip one up in the air to be caught at mid-on.

After being rested Will returned to complete his 7 overs and finished 1 for 28.

Justin also entered the fray and was able to pick up a wicket of the #3 but also took some tap from a charging Fittleworth batting unit completing his 7 over spell 1 for 59.

With a run out (executed superbly by Steve Cox who had kindly taken the gloves behind the stumps) it was starting to become clear it was a complete mismatch in teams. 

Fittleworth finished 232 from their 35 overs and Lavant left the field of play looking like soldiers returning from the front line.

Tea was taken and opportunities were given to people to have a bat.

Jim and Rob started for Lavant and stood up well to the bowling but Jim was out caught 1 and Rob out plumb LBW for 9.

Next was Harry who did his very best to get going, dispatching some nice shots through the covers but was undone, clipping the ball up in the air being out caught for 17.

Steve B walked to the middle and looked to get going but also fell being bowled for 9.

Steve C was next and was out caught for 6.

Will T came and went being out caught and bowled for 1.

Peter entered and tried his best but was also out bowled for 3.

At 7 down in the 23rd over and only 71 scored, Keir walked to the middle and showed great character. Standing up to the opposition’s bowling and the onslaught of chat Keir was able to dispatch some lusty blows to the boundary. On a day of little positives Keir batting was one that stood out and was appreciated by his team mates. 

Tragically Keir was left stranded with the top score of 18 with Justin out LBW for 17, Tam out bowled for 7 and the Lavant skipper picking up a golden duck.

Lavant were all out in the 29th over for 105.

It was a frustrating day all round and evident a complete miss match of teams in terms of age, mobility and ability. However we must remember to remain humble in defeat and congratulate Fittleworth for their  victory. On to the next

Man of the match

For sticking to his task well with the ball standing up with the bat (and top scoring) man of the match goes to Keir (he probably would have won it just for biffing the ball to the long barrier so hard it smashed into a fence panel with a massive bang)! 

Champagne moment

On a day of not many highlights one moment stood out when Steve Cox had to chase down the ball to the boundary and retrieve it from a water sprinkler. Manfully he just dived in to retrieve the ball like a dog! It offered some light relief on a difficult day.