IPH at Queens Cricket Ground. Phoenix won by 11 runs
“It was a good catch but I must question the wisdom of taking it!” Blimey, it’s not often a bowler tells a fielder off for adding to his wicket tally.
The reason for the rebuke was approaching the wicket: the opening bat who had bludgeoned his way to the retirement threshold in double-quick time and was returning to finish the job. The skipper was relaxed however – and his faith was justified when he caught the said danger man almost straight away, allowing us to get over the line without further alarm.
Another game, another victory: this was one was high-scoring between two teams that both batted deep, and on a big ground with a batsman-friendly pitch.
Gareth won the toss and chose to bat but Jeff suffered a rare setback when he smashed his first ball to a fielder, who held on after a little light juggling.
Gareth and Aidan punished any wayward bowling however and were soon both back in the hutch unbeaten. Adrian perished quickly but that meant we were treated to the sight of a returning Ralph. Still by no means fit – he pretty much batted on one leg and was a shadow of himself in the field – he nevertheless effortlessly notched a not out score.
Bruce clocked up runs too before Damon and Dave ensured we finished with a flourish – 152 was a defendable surely?
The IPH opener thought otherwise as he despatched the ball all over Queen’s before rejoining his team-mates on the sidelines after just five overs. Yikes.
Happily, that left lesser mortals to face our bowling and the other opener was caught behind off the Fixtures Secretary, who then bowled the next man first ball.
Sushant, our GS3s recruit from the home game, was next to go with Aidan pouching a steepler that gave him enough time to contemplate his previous 19 dropped catches, and possibly write a short novel.
A couple of catches, both off Jeff, did go down but the momentum had swung our way and Matt clung on to his second attempt off Jeff.
We knew IPH’s number seven was no tail ender from previous experience though and so it proved as he took control of their innings. Adrian responded with an excellent spell and was rewarded by bowling another useful bat. The IPH tail didn’t wag much once the number seven retired – but that was the problem.
A run out and the catch that Jeff dubbed unwise brought in the opener but Jeff removed him and Matt resumed his role of Dr Death to see us home once again.
Phoenix
G Everson retired not out 28
J Wilson c? b Gewa 0
A Swain retired not out 25
A Foster c? b Sushant 3
R Minter retired not out 27
B Cairnduff lbw Butler 17
D Rainsford not out 21
D Garman not out 10
dnb S Creed, J West, M Dobson
Extras 22
Total: 152-3 from 20 overs
IPH
Penkett c Garman b J West 10
Mihir c Everson b Wilson 25
Sushant c Swain b J West 10
Praveen b J West 0
Adam b Foster 21
Nav c Dobson b Wilson 5
Franklin not out 28
Gewa b Dobson 10
Vin not out 4
Suki run out 2
Rich c J West b Wilson 4
Extras 22
Total: 141-9 from 20 overs
S Creed 4-0-24-0
J West 4-1-26-3
A Foster 4-0-30-1
J Wilson 4-0-28-3
M Dobson 4-0-26-1