Park Lose the Abbey Habit

Skipper Gannon lost the toss and so Prospect Park were asked to bowl first in scorching conditions at the lovely Milton Abbas ground. Bill Partridge and Dave Robotham opened the Park attack against Minor Counties star 'Q' and Ross. Q got off to a great start hitting Bill for a big six into the car park but Ross was soon out, with Dave Robotham juggling a caught and bowled for several minutes before eventually diving onto the floor to claim the catch. Dewlish 28 for 1. Q was joined by his younger brother and these two put a good partnership together which was ended 48 runs later by Dave Robotham once again, this time clean bowling Q as he attempted to whip Robo off his legs. Dewlish 76 for 2. Alan Russell and Skipper Gannon came into the attack and in his third over Gannon claimed the wicket of Kellaway, to an excellent stumping by wicketkeeper Dave Brupacher. Dewlish 100 for 3. Again Dewlish consolidated and put on another 54 before Thompson, replacing Russell, had Miller stumped by Bru in his first over. Dewlish 154 for 4. Only 8 runs later and Bru was in stumping action again, this time dismissing Crab. Dewlish 162 for 5 with ten overs to go. Thomo was denied a second wicket later on when Gannon put down a sharp catch at cover. Sean Pritchard replaced Gannon in the bowling attack and was rewarded for an excellent spell towards the end of the game with his first wicket for the club, having Smith smartly caught by Bru behind the stumps. Dewlish 226 for 6. The last ball of the innings saw a running mix up and Pritchard swooped to complete the run out, leaving Dewlish 227 for 7 off their 40 overs. Although a formidable target on this big pitch, the Prospect Park fielders thought they'd done well to keep the score down as Dewlish had threatened to run away with the game at several points.

Christian O'Mahoney and Dave Hearn opened the batting for Park after the usual splendid Dewlish tea. With Q opening the bowling for Dewlish it was always likely to be a tough call keeping up the 5.7 runs per over required rate but the lads got us off to a good start with 15 off the first 3 overs. A double strike from the openers had us reeling when Hearnie was caught and bowled for 12 (Park 20 for 1), and then his replacement Kenny Robotham was bowled for 1 in the next over (Park 21 for 2). This brought Dave Weston to the crease early doors, and he watched as Christian hit a massive six over mid off to claim his free drinks all night prize that Craig had offered earlier! Only 14 more runs were added before Christian was bowled for a good looking 20 (Park 35 for 3). Sean Pritchard came in at no.5 and steadied the ship with Big Dave, again putting on 14 for the next wicket, Dave weston bowled by Q for 8 when looking well set. Park 49 for 4 and a lot of work required from the middle and lower order to achieve victory. Dave Brupacher was up at no.6 and he and Sean put a great partnership together, with lots of running and the occasional boundary. Once again a Park batsman was out just as he looked like he was well in when Sean was bowled for a very tidy 14 and Park were reduced to 87 for 5 (partnership of 38). Paul Thompson came in at no.7 in the unenviable position of looking for his first run on tour. This he got very quickly but he was soon trudging back to the pavillion with just that single as a shooter caught him LBW. Park 90 for 6 and the pitch seeming to deteriorate with every over now with virtually every ball from Dusty Miller shooting through at ankle or below height. Skipper Gannon came in at no.8 with a lot of work to do and he and Bru set about running for everything. This kept the score ticking over but at nothing like the 9+ an over now required. Twenty nine runs later and Gannon was out caught for 10 and Park almost out for the count at 119 for 7. However, Bill Partridge, batting at no.9 and Dave were not so easily put off and set about a madcap partnership that often saw both players collapsed at their respective ends after another quick run. These two put on the best (and most entertaining) partnership of the innings, adding a priceless 44 before Bru was caught out for a super 51 runs to crown a brilliant all round display. Park 163 for 8. Bill was out immediately afterwards bowled for a terrific knock of 18. Park 163 for 9. Alan Russell and Dave Robotham were the last pair at the crease but they couldn't seem to find any rythmn and Dave Robo was soon run out (not again !!) for 3, to leave Alan king of the not outs on 5. Park finished with a respectable 171 all out, but never seriously threatened the Dewlish score.

This was always going to be a difficult game for Park, fielding first and with Dewlish bringing back the big guns after the last years defeat but they stuck to the task well in the heat, but ultimately could not restrict the free scoring Dewlish bats and coudln't hit enough boundaries on the large playing surface.

Dave Brupacher's performance behind the stumps and batting clearly marks him out as todays MOM, but special mention should also go to Sean Pritchard who took his first wicket for the club.

Rounding up the tour in the pub after the game, Alan Horton was crowned the winner of the Silly Shirt competition (nobody else even came close!). Fines for poor T-shirt efforts went to Craig, Kenny (sporting a silly hat rather than a silly t-shirt), Dave Weston and Dave Brupacher. Dave Fletcher unveiled a lovely shield that he and his family had made in honour of Carol Whaley, which was presented to Craig Partridge as the Player of the Tour. All that remains to be said is that a good time was had by all and the tour goes from strength to strength with good relationships being built up by the players with the opposition now after several years of games behind us. Thanks should go to Mr. Dave Weston and everyone else who made the tour possible and we look forward to next year when we have to finally record a win over the elusive Pimperne !