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StAUSCC 189-9 S. Frankland 54 S. Breasley 6-26 Lost to Dollar CC 190-6 C. Smith 56 S. Frankland 5-13 A slightly understrength team headed to Dollar on Sunday and put in a reasonable performance despite being second best in most departments of the game. Batting first on a track which looked true but had some dead patches, Dave and Sean worked very hard for limited reward against Dollar's three quick bowlers. Provided with few loose balls, the batsmen did well to survive but could only progress at 3 an over until some gentler fare became available. Both Dave and Sean passed 20 but could not press on, leaving Stan and Stu to provide some acceleration. Stu's considerable celebration of Baggers' wedding the night before led to the unusual sight of Stan nearly lapping HIM on one occasion! As the last 10 overs approached, a score of 200 looked feasible but Dollar's captain brought himself on to bowl a decisive spell of 6.4-1-26-6, bowling Stan for a well played 54 and then gradually removing the middle and lower order until we were all out in the penultimate over for 186. Tight bowling and a bit of good fortune would be needed to make that total competitive and unfortunately neither Matt nor new recruit Phil Pass could make the desired break through. The Dollar openers hit the ball hard and found gaps successfully, scoring almost exclusively in threes and fours until a ludicrous call from the non-striker led to their best player, Chris Humphreys, being stranded by a throw from Stan at gully. Despite accurate spells from Dave and Patrick and some extravagant turn extracted by Alex, the second wicket partnership prospered with a few sharp chances going to ground. With only around 40 runs needed, Stan's introduction to the attack was immediately successful as he removed the young opener for 56, Sean taking a good catch behind. Stan's good day continued as he sledged the hard hitting #4 into an injudicious hoick which Alex caught very well at cover and followed that with a wicket maiden and then a double wicket haul in his final over. With the Dollar dressing room in disarray (their #7 batsman was obliged to get his pads on gradually as he walked out onto the field) we were nevertheless too short of runs to make the pressure count as the middle order thumped boundaries when faced with less threatening bowling from the other end. Dollar as ever proved challenging but friendly opponents and we look forward to the return match in August.
- Patrick Jess