2013 Match Report: Bramley CC

Strong Pyestock Core Too Much

For Beleaguered Bramley!

 

Bramley CC Vs Pyestock CC

Sunday 28th April 2013

Weather Conditions: Overcast, Breezy, Cold.

Pitch Conditions: Wicket: Dry, Outfield: Green, slow.

A new era in the history of Pyestock Cricket Club began with a comprehensive victory over Bramley CC this weekend.

Beginning life away from Cody Sports and Social Club, the (now permanent) visitors cruised to an 8 wicket win over their hosts to record a fine opening day win. Fielding first on a bitterly cold afternoon, which resulted in stricken vice captain, watching while wrapped up like granny smith on a nearby bench, Pyestock got off to a dream start with Chris Heath forcing the shaky looking David Ribero lofting into orbit, only finding Neil Butler at mid-on who held on at the second attempt.The captain himself then struck with the very next ball with a booming in-swinger removing new batsmen Henry Turner for a golden duck.

With the scoreboard showing 1 for 2, Bramley were in desperate need for stabilisation, and found it in the form of Edward Turner, who batted cautiously and sensibly, seeing off the threat of the Pyestock opening duo on a lively wicket. In fact, it wasn’t until the 11^th over, with the score on 22, did the visitors strike again, Neil Butler finding the edge of remaining opener Graham Maynard’s bat, safely into the hands of first slip Vaughan Newcombe.

Vaughan incidentally started the match as wicket keeper, before a recurrence of an earlier football injury forced him into the slip cordon. Pyestock’s injury concerns, didn’t stop there however, as in the next of Neil Butler’s overs,  the skipper pulled up with a back complaint that forced the final few balls to be bowled from a standing start.

Although, hastily replaced by Jack Bromley, it was Chris who struck again, clean bowling Chris Dalby, who was looking to move the score along. With the score looking a healthy 42 for 4 by the end of the 18^th over, Pyestock introduced spin to the attack and in the form of Dan Heath, immediately found their 5^th wicket, Alistair Knowles, who looked a threat with some powerful drives, copied his team mate in finding the grateful hands of Vaughan, for his second catch of the game.

Pyestock from this point were in complete control, however as the experience and doggedness of the Turner and new batsmen Brian Green, the hosts managed to temporarily halt the wicket gala and put their own stamp on the game.

Pyestock did begin to lose their way as the cold day began to take its toll; Jack Bromley struggled throughout his spell with no-balls as Bramley with a spell that yielded 25 runs in just 5 overs. It looked like it could be more, however a blind stroke of luck fell Pyestocks way in Jacks final over as Tuner pushed the ball into the offside and started off on a run. Green failed to respond and by the time Chris Heath had picked the ball up, both batsmen met up at the non-strikers end, gifting the easiest of run-outs.

This rattled the home side as immediately, the surviving member of the run-out catastrophe turned a delightful ball from Dan, again into the hands of Vaughan Newcombe, for a hat-trick of catches

Bramley had imploded, turning a promising looking recover into a nightmare score of 72 for 7.Neil reacted by introducing Pyestock’s very own pink lady into the attack, ironically on the ground that staged the very first women’s cricket match back in 1745. Taylor Newcombe set about writing her own special story by bowling steadily and ably supported Dan in finishing off the Bramley tail. Firstly, Taylor claimed her first wicket by bowling Scott O’Brien before Dan repeated the trick removing James Knewstrubb. The last pairing added seemingly valuable runs and survived another run out scare before Taylor doubled her wicket tally, trapping number 11 Jerome Hagen LBW for 6.

After a golden delicious tea, which was well received by all, Pyestock set about obtaining the 98 runs needed to clinch the first victory of the season and opened their innings with the regular pairing of Jon Ford and Glenn Taylor. Bowling for the visitors was Scott O’Brien who was impressive with the ball throughout, and kept Jon quiet, however Robertson struggled to contain Glenn who almost singlehandedly moved Pyestock to 22 without loss within the first 4 overs. Robertson did however have the last laugh as Glenn mistimed his shot into the grateful hands of Brian Green to set the hosts on the wicket trail.

Colin Butler joined Jon at the crease and this allowed the opener more freedom having previously supported the jazz of Glenn’s stroke-play. Steadily they progressed the innings without taking too many risks, forcing Bramley to remove the expensive Robertson from the attack replacing him with Jerome Hagen.

The away side’s main issue though, remained O’Brien, who was performing admirably with his dogged line and persistent in-swing. He finally got his reward in the 13^th over as the faintest of edges through to wicket-keeper Chris Dalby doubled the host’s wicket tally and ended Colin’s afternoon.

Pyestock were still in the ascendency though and with Dan Heath now at the crease allowed O’Brien to continue his impressive spell while scoring from both Hagen and his replacement Knewstrubb. By the 26^th over Pyestock had achieved their target, a single pushed through by Jon Ford confirming the victory in comfortable style. Win number 1 of the season was in the bag, new friends found in Bramley CC, who we hope to cross paths with again next season and into the future.

 

Bramley CC 97 all out

Pyestock CC 98 for 2

Pyestock CC win by 8 wickets

Pyestockcricketclub.co.uk Man Of The Match: Dan Heath