Lucky no.3 Strikes Again

With Park residing in the 'lucky' no.3 changing room, and Skip Fowdy returning, Park's confidence was high once again and with Petts Wood batting first, Dave Robotham and Craig Partridge opened the bowling attack. No early breakthrough was made as the lefthander survived a couple of catching chances, but eventually Dave Robotham got his man as the no.2 pulled to Gannon at square leg who took the catch, 39 for 1. A couple of overs later and Dave was at it again, with the no.3 bat looping one up, again to Gannon who pocketed the chance, 52 for 2. With Craig bowling well but not making the breakthrough, Skip Fowdy came on to bowl. Straightaway the batsman drove the ball to Gannon at midwicket and set off for a run, Gannon returned the ball to keeper Bru, who took the ball well to his left and threw the stumps down to run the no.4 bat out for 1, 54 for 3. A couple of overs later and Darran forced the no.5 bat to sky one into mid wicket where Gannon once again took the catch, 69 for 4. Dave Robotham finished a fine marathon stint and Gannon took over the bowling at that end. After the no.1 bat had hit Gannon for a big six, he tried the trick again but succeeded only in belting the ball back at the bowler who took the catch to dismiss him for 82. Petts Wood on 124 for 5. Terry Shannon now joined in the fun by chasing down a sweep and throwing the stumps down directly from the outfield as the batsmen tried to run a second, 128 for 6. Terry then replaced Darran at the far end and he struck in his 3rd over bowling the no.6 bat round the legs, 139 for 7. Craig came back on at the top end to finish his stint and was immediately successful, bowling the no.8 bat for 3, Petts Wood at 144 for 8. In his next over, Craig struck again, getting an edge through to keeper Bru who pocketed the catch nicely, 157 for 9. Petts Wood finished their allocation on 158 for 9.

Kenny Robotham and Dave Brupacher opened the batting for the Park, and both players started confidently. Ken was soon into his stride, hitting 4 boundarys in sequence and looking in fine fettle. Bru, also looking good, got a good ball and was bowled for 11, Park on 29 for 1, a positive start. Christian O'Mahoney was in at no.3 and after one big boundary, nicked one through to the keeper to depart for 5, Park 39 for 2. Big Jim Flood came in at no.4 and he teamed up well with Ken, and this pair put on 16 for the next wicket. Ken was the next to go, bowled for an excellent 31, and Park were 55 for 3. Skip Fowdy was in at no.5 but he departed quickly for a rare duck as he edged to the keeper, Park now struggling on 57 for 4. Alan Whaley at no.6 joined Jim and these two settled the boat for the next half hour with some good running and a couple of nice boundaries from Jim. Alan eventually fell, caught out for 1 with Park 77 for 5. Craigy Boy Partridge came in at no.7 needing to pick up the run rate if Park were to make a serious effort at the total, and thats exactly what he did, cracking some great boundaries and making Jim do a lot of running. Including one over that went for 23, these two put on 63 for the next wicket and brought Park right back into the game. Craig was enjoying himself and hit a couple of massive sixes but Jim was eventually run out for a classy 41 to put Park close to victory on 140 for 6 with 4 and a bit overs left. Tim Gannon came in at no.8 and edged a couple of singles but couldn't seem to get Craig on strike so went for a hoick himself and whacked the ball straight to mid on where it was held. Gannon out for 2 and Park 153 for 7 with two overs left to get the remaining six runs. Dave Robotham came in at no.9 and got a single to put Craig on strike in the last over. With Craig only needing four for a half century, and only two runs required to win, he needed to get a boundary to achieve both aims. With two balls left he drove the ball back past the bowlers head for a four that won the game for Park and gave him 50 not out. Dave Robotham finished on 1 not out. park winning on 161 for 7.

There's a couple of honourable mentions here. Jim Floods superb 41 really settled the middle order and gave a backbone to the innings. Tim Gannons four outfield catches equalled a club record and Daniel Robotham made his debut for the club and had an excellent game in the field where he chased everything with great enthusiasm and effect and was padded up ready to come in and hit the winning runs if required. But the MOM goes to Craig Partridge for a brilliantly timed and well executed 50. Tour Jug no.1 for Craigy Boy.