On a warm summer's day the Academy travelled the short distance to Whitley Hall for a vital relegation showdown.
New Pavilion looking good. Rail positioned just at eye level not ideal for spectating but otherwise a credit to all those who have worked so hard to ensure it was built.
Toss won. Decided to bat on what proved to be a lively wicket. Credit then to Ben and Elliott Callis for negotiating the new ball. 26 for the first wicket. Tom Lister shot to 11 before a loose drive resulted in a controversial claim for a catch in the backward point region being given.
Josh and Simmo also made double figures but both perished caught playing attacking shots.
81 for 4 wasn't a bad position.
Ben fell stumped Tidy bowled Sanderson. I suspect that mode of dismissal has catered for many a batsmen over the years. This was an excellent effort opening the innings for the first time this season in difficult conditions.
We crawled to 120 for 8. Not our finest display.
We didn't graft hard enough (Ben excepted) and we didn't form any partnerships of note. Perhaps if we had concentrated on the cricket rather than talking about anything but cricket during our innings we might have done better. Lord knows what the batsmen talk about out in the middle! I certainly wouldn't have talked about some of those topics in front of my teacher. Mr Davey having to work overtime there on his day off to keep order.
We have not applied ourselves consistently with the bat and have failed on too many occasions to build partnerships. Watching the game when you are waiting to bat and forming a game plan in your own mind is something we need to work on. The appreciation of what is a good score on a particular wicket is a difficult art to master but the batsmen have to adapt to the circumstances of the match, wicket conditions etc. Without the experience of Hamps and Priesters we have struggled at times.
Good warm up by the bowlers followed by riot act from Skipper and what followed was an exceptional performance in the field.
Wicket third ball. 46 for 2 became 56 for 5 as Picko deciding that his usual accuracy alone was not enough took three wickets with his worst three balls. He will bowl a lot better and end up wicketless. Three excellent catches from Dobby, Josh and the pick from Shawsy, diving full length to his right.
Tazzyman stood firm for Whitley (take note boys) and grafted 20 odd match winning runs but not before Ben Fielding chipped in with three for. The first was down to a good chirp from the optician and a fine catch from Picko.
The last two wickets came at 115 and the hat trick ball resulted in a very difficult catch going down before Whitley crept home.
Lots of intensity in the field. Accurate bowling and excellent catching.
Twenty more runs would have done the trick. Relegation battle very much on.