Match Report: Chiddingfold - 3rd August

Chiddingfold CC v Southwell Ramblers CC – Sunday 3rd August 2014
Result: Ramblers lost by 29 runs
 
“There is no better lesson than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time.” - Malcolm X

There were a number of new faces in the Ramblers line up for Chiddingfold this year and it was a pleasure to welcome Olie, Ed, Lee and Jorge to the Ramblers fold.

On a stunning summers’ day and with Macca leading the team for the first time, he promptly lost the toss and we were in the field, with 9, in the sweltering heat. Cheers Skip.

After a strong opening spell from Lawson (down the hill) and Bosomworth (up the hill), Dave had the elder of their two openers caught behind by Leacho for 10 and we were sitting pretty. That’s about where it ended for around 20 overs…

Macca and Lee both fought hard but with nine in the field (we got to 10 in the end), short boundaries and a very fast outfield, both their number 1 and 3 raced to unbeaten centuries in fairly quick time. The positive here was their teammates subsequently making both retire, good news for us, if a little too late to help. After an excellent middle spell from Ed (down the hill) and Dave (still up the hill) we picked up a couple more wickets leaving them four down and us chasing 278 to win off 35 overs. As Mr X confirmed, it is in adversity that you find your true self and in usual Ramblers spirit Ali reminded us it was a high scoring ground and we had it all to play for… no problem then.

Ali and Leacho opened the batting and got us off to a great start, we were up near the 100 mark before Leacho fell for 41, another excellent showing with a batting average that is getting better all the time. Stanners came in at 3 and continued the momentum, putting on another 50 partnership with Ali, and suddenly we dared to believe. Drinks came and went and Stanners followed shortly after, bowled for 48 leaving the middle order to take on the charge. Jorge, Lee and Dave all played a flurry of attacking shots to keep things moving but when Dave was run out taking a quick one to their ever-improving 14 year-old keeper, Ali found himself with it all to do. A host of stunning straight drives, cut shots and hooks, with Macca supporting willingly at the other end, it was with just a few overs to go that Ali finally missed the middle and was caught in the deep on 90, putting the team and result before personal glory and self-satisfaction, as is always his way. Finishing on a very respectable 250 for 7 off 35 overs, on another day, who knows what would have been.

Another great day on the pitch, forgetting the result, and leaving the team desperate for bigger and better heading into Tour 2014.

Team in batting order:

Ali Turner, Ben Leach, Tim Stansbury, Jorge Neves, Lee Spink, Dave Bosomsworth, Ali Macleod-Smith, Olie Lawson, Dean Gales, Ed James

Toss: Won by Chiddingfold
Yellow: Ali Turner