Match Report - Woodcutters, 14th June 2009

StAUSCC (299 for 6, S. Frankland 125, R. Vohra 2/50) beat Woodcutters 232 (a.o., D. Scott 144, S. Frankland 2/4) by 67 runs

We splashed through to the Quarter Finals with a fine batting performance which proved sufficient to defeat our friendly opponents despite a lone stand of 144 n.o. from their wicketkeeper.

An initial shower of rain had almost cleared by the start of our innings but had made the wicket rather slick - one of the many reasons Manu gave for his being run out for a Diamond Duck in the first over. After that rather shaky start, Stan and Dave began to play the opening attack with relative ease, scoring at 4 an over until Dave was undone by the first change bowler. Debutant Dan Davies strode in at #4 and put together a splendid 55 run partnership with Stan who was looking very confident despite there being few children in the attack. Dan then decided that it was polite to defer to his elders, unluckily top edging the 70-year-old R. Glynn to fine leg for 27 with the score 93/3 in the 16th over. Fears of the traditional middle order collapse were cast aside at Stan and Dom put together an aggressive 133 run partnership, taking advantage of some tired and wayward bowlers unused to the longer form of the game. Dom reached his maiden half century an over prior to Stan's ton and made his way to 57 in the 37th over before perishing whilst hitting out to advance the rate. Stan only lasted a further 3 overs but had moved onto a Club record 125 and the score to 254, leaving Prasanna, Chetan and then Matt to hit out lustily for the final 5 overs, collecting 45 runs in the process with Prasanna's huge 6 over long on a real highlight.

The Woodcutters had tried manfully but tired visibly in the field after 25 overs, dropping a couple of catches and failing to take advantage of some comedy calling and running between the wickets.

Rain fell heavily during an extended tea break and we restarted in persistent drizzle, making the bowling creases treacherous - tricky for all concerned. Phil Pass made light of the conditions, however, swinging a beauty into off stump which cart-wheeled away with the Woodcutters 1 for 1 in the first over. Neither Matt nor Dan could control the ball over the wicket, allowing the Woodcutters to get off to a dangerously rapid start. Dan finally settled into a hostile round the wicket spell, routinely discomfiting the batsmen (and keeper!). Phil stuck to his task and snared the second wicket to fall, courtesy of Dave's good catch of a rapid chance, making up for a dodgy drop of a dolly the ball before. All the while D. Scott was crashing boundaries, being particularly uncompromising against full tosses which were bowled in excess by most bowlers, uncertain of footing and struggling with a damp ball. The key to victory would be keeping Scott under control and chipping away at the other end, a period of attritional cricket lightened by Patrick's Mud Man impression and an intervention by the Groundsman who helpfully drove his car up to the boundary to remonstrate with us for messing up his lovely lawn. I mean cricket pitch.

Dave switched the bowling around in search of control but it was the return of Dan and Phil which killed the run rate and opened up the middle order, Dan's two wicket over bringing in the shotless Glynn whose crease occupation starved Scott of the strike as the run rate mounted. Alex finally sneaked one through the gate and with the tail fully exposed, Stan and Manu combined to snap up the final 4 wickets with relatively little fuss, Dom taking his first catch as keeper for the Club to finish the game.

The margin of victory was a relief since up to half way the Woodcutters were on top of the run rate, courtesy of D. Scott's impressive 144 n.o. In general our fielding held up okay despite inclement conditions, with Dan, Matt and Manu putting in worthy service on the boundaries and Dom giving away a solitary leg bye. The Woodcutters were a sociable bunch of blokes and we would look forward to reacquainting ourselves with them in a friendly some point in the future. The sterner test of Rossie Priory awaits in next week's quarter final!

- Patrick Jess