Long Crendon vs Holton
May 2004
Original report written by John Simpson
Holton Short in Run Chase!
But back to last Sunday, and the last away game, against Long Crendon. After a win last year, we were hoping for a follow-up win this year. News from Long Crendon was that their pavilion had been condemned, and we had to use alternative showerless changing facilities. They expect a new pavilion to have arisen from the ashes of the old one by next season. The pitch itself looked rather rough (their roller had broken) and so on winning the toss we put Long Crendon in to bat.
It’s been a difficult wicket to score on in the past, and Long Crendon started slowly. Very slowly. The two Mikes provided sterling service to Holton once again, with Mike Shorthouse conceding only four runs off his seven overs of toil in the heat and Mike Jackson going for just under two an over for his eight. With twenty overs up Long Crendon were around 33 for 2, and wickets continued to fall as Neil Robinson (3-41) took over from Mike Shorthouse.
Gradually the score started to rise, as (despite the wicket itself) the outfield was fast and – on one side – sloping off rapidly. But our ground fielding was excellent and I don’t remember any catches going down. A flourish by the tail-enders saw the Long Crendon score up over the hundred mark and the final overs (somewhat expensive at least in comparison with the opening spells) brought them to 132 for 8 at 5 o’clock and tea.
Long Crendon 132 for 8 off 38.
Mike Jackson 9 – 1 – 16 – 1
Mike Shorthouse 7 – 5 – 4 – 1
Neil Robinson 12 – 2 – 41 – 3
Phil White 4 – 0 – 19 – 0
Guy Burford 6 – 0 – 32 – 1
2 run outs
No overs’ scores or wicket fall data.
Tea was off down in one of the rooms of the local pub, and after that we tracked back to the game ready to knock off the required. 132 didn’t seem too much for us, after our heroic deeds in Devon. But with 5 on the board I caught a leading edge and offered a half-chance to the bowler, who gratefully took it, bringing Rob McKinney to the wicket. Rob and Alan Banyard then moved into a purple patch, with fours coming with ease for ten minutes or so until, at 43 for 1, Alan was bowled for 14. But we had batting to come, and the chase was on. Simon Switala came out for his second bat of the season, but was soon deprived of Rob’s presence, lbw for 21.
Tighter bowling by Crendon pegged as back slightly here and after putting on 20 with James Race, Simon was caught for 6 (47 for 3). Our unfounded optimism was wavering slightly by now, but with Guy and his swinging bat we could still reach the total. Strangely becalmed, Guy was bowled for a duck, but then Simon Robinson joined James for a productive partnership of 24, with Simon taking 12 and James playing in controlled mode.
By now we needed a blistering thrash, and as James contemplated shifting into overdrive he found himself caught for 30. Opinion was divided at this point as to whether we should batten down the hatches and go for a draw, or keep plugging away for a win. We elected for the latter, and Neil and Simon looked for runs, with the Crendon total coming steadily nearer. Simon fell with the hundred up, and the experience of Mike Shorthouse joined the experience of Neil, and together they put on fourteen as the overs dwindled away, with Neil valiantly caught off the last ball (which he had needed to hit for 18 to win).
So in the end we drew a game where we had manipulated a winning position. Rather disappointing after so recently missing out in the run chase against Sampford Peverell by just eight runs. But next week we have home advantage, and things will doubtless be different….
Holton 115 for 8 off 36 overs
John Simpson c & b 5
Alan Banyard bowled 14
Rob McKinney lbw 21
Simon Switala caught 6
James Race caught 30
Guy Burford bowled 0
Simon Robinson caught 12
Neil Robinson caught 6
Mike Shorthouse not out 9
Extras 12
Did not bat: Mike Jackson, Phil White
Fall 1-5 (1) 2-43 (2) 3-47(3) 4-67 (4) 5-68 (6) 6-92 (5) 7-101 (7)
8-115 (8)
10 overs 31-1; 20 overs 63-3; 30 overs 93-5