Catches Nearly Win Matches

Park batted first once again on an overcast day, sending in Dave Robotham and Tim Gannon to open the innings. Dave was bowled in short order playing across the line for 2, to put Park on the back foot at 3 for 1. Brother Kenny came out at no.3 and played positively from the off, hitting several lusty boundaries and calling through some good sharp running to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Gannon meanwhile was being uncharacteristically circumspect and when he decided to get going merely miscued one up to mid off, who took a good overhead catch. Gannon out for 10 then, and Park 29 for 2. Roger the dodger Weston came in at no.4 flush from last weeks success with the ball and looked pretty comfortable before being bowled by one that kept very low, for 7, to leave Park on 43 for 3. Kenny was keeping the flag flying meanwhile with some hoicks across the line punctuated by some high class straight driving to the boundary. Paul Thompson came in next, to help Ken see off the openers but Ken was out bowled for 37 when looking set for a big score to leave Park on 70 for 4. Sean Partridge joined Thommo at the crease and with the change bowlers on, saw a period of quiet consolidation at the crease. Unfortunately, time was ticking by and Park were not looking like getting anything like a competitive total on the board when Thomo strode down the pitch and hit the off cutter for a big four that nearly went all the way. Unfortunately this was not a sign of more to come as Paul was bowled at the other end by a quality change bowler for 9, leaving Park on 73 for 5. Sean soon followed as he tried to force the pace after hitting a lovely 4 through the off he then edged to gully to depart for 10 and Park on 86 for 6. With Simon Ewin and Alan Russell at the crease there was plenty of experience on hand, but runs were still hard to come by. Desperate to get the score moving Alan pushed for a single that wasn't really there and was run out for 2, to leave Park on 104 for 7. Dave 'Captain of the Vice' Partridge joined Simon who was mixing stoic defence with occasional flashes of aggression. Dave hit a few nice shots before being bowled for 8 to leave Park on 117 for 8. John Ling and Simon played out the rest of the overs to end on 122 for 8, with Simon a sterling 20 not out and Lingo 3 not out.

With a small total to defend, and in gloomy conditions, Paul Moss and Dave Partridge opened the attack for Park. The Old Elthamian Batsmen got off to a flying start with the no.1 particularly going for the big shots straight away. However, Simon Ewin took a brilliant running and diving catch low down to get rid of the no.2 bat off the bowling of Dave Partridge. Davey Boy was straight into it again trapping the skipper to a stunning one handed diving catch by Paul Thompson in the covers, to a shot that looked a four all the way. Paul Moss decided to get in on the action by forcing the big hitting no.1 to pop a ball up into mid wicket where Gannon took a tumbling catch. The Park fielders were by now well charged up having got rid of the Old Elthamians danger men in short order. Dave snared his third wicket by clean bowling the no.3 and Park were cock a hoop. Johnny Ling replaced Mossy in the attack and virtually straight away bowled the no.5 bat to a delerious reception from the now packed grass bank of travelling Park supporters. Captain of the Vice partridge still hadny finished though and induced the Old Elth's no.6 to pop one up back down the wicket and Gannon was there again tumbling in 'Fat Gatt' style to take the catch. Back at the other end Lingo proceeded to clean bowl his next victim and the fielders ran in from all corners to congratulate him. The Old Elthamian dressing room was now in a panic, and the no.9 bat confirmed this by hitting his wicket backing away from another Lingo snorter. With Old Elthamians now at 80 for 8 and needing another 40 to win, the Park fielders were positively champing at the bit sensing a most unlikely victory. However, it was not to be, a superb ninth wicket partnership saw Elthamians home for victory on 126 for 8, with Park unable to take any further wickets.

After posting a very modest score, the Park bounced back with a superb bowling and fielding display, and the best series of catching this correspondant has witnessed in a long time (are you watching England ?). The Old Elthamians innings was played out in very dark conditions to a thrilling finish, congratulations to both sides for a great game.

With only Kenny and Simon showing any grit with the bat, it was down to a bowler to try and win this game, and Dave Partridge stepped up to the plate superbly. Dave gets this weeks MOM, not just for his bowling performance but just as much for his captaincy in the field, which I think was one of his best efforts yet.