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| v DARTFORD HARRIERS, WED 25 JULY 2012 |
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Wingfield's sprint finish carries Superstars over the line against Harriers |
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Superstars (185-8) beat Dartford Harriers (119 all out) by 66 runs. |
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Jason delivered on his promise to move the gulf stream and Superstars were able to take the field against Dartford Harriers in unusually sunny conditions (after a short delay while Adam turned up with the book!). |
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Paul and Chris opened the batting and the bowlers struggled to adapt to the classic right-hand left-hand combination, with Chris providing some lusty blows (and most of the runs) before being bowled for 23 from 14 balls. Colin quickly followed for a duck as Jason “he plays for both teams” Marchant claimed his first scalp. Paul then also fell to Jason’s zumba ball for 16 before Adam hit one straight to mid off to be caught for 12. Jason then got Vijay for 8 with a sharp catch and point and accounted for Simon, caught at slip, for a golden. Superstars had gone from 46-0 to 77-6 in 10 overs and looked in danger of not batting out the overs. However, Mike was able to see off Jason (who finished with 7-1-23-4)’s hat-trick delivery and he and Barry began rebuilding the innings. |
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But the danger hadn’t been completely averted and when Brumbaugh got Barry caught behind (16) and Mike bowled (13) with two good deliveries there were still 7 overs left for Andy and Roy to bat out with the score at 117-8. Andy quickly got in to his stride, despatching the ball to all parts and Roy also got in to the act with a couple of big hits to the boundary. Roy’s biggest contribution, however, was to come as he advanced down the wicket and engineered a single to allow Andy to face the last two balls. The first of these was smashed on to the roof of the new pavilion and the final ball also went for four, taking Andy to 51 not out, the score to 185-8 and the ninth wicket partnership to a Superstars record unbeaten 68. |
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Tea, as always at Dartford, was an excellent affair and the searing heat had faded a little when Superstars took to the field to try and defend their total against a batting line up boasting two players who had previously made big scores on this ground. Jason opened the batting and riled Simon (4-014-1) further after his golden duck by cutting twice to the boundary for four before Simon eventually bowled him for 10. Roy also bowled a tight opening spell (4-0-8-0) but the key moments came when Harriers’ danger men were accounted for by Vijay pretending not to pay attention in the field, luring the batsmen into a tight single and affecting a run out; and Mike (4-0-21-1) with a spectacular one handed caught and bowled. After Chris (4-0-18-1) accounted for the second opener Superstars were in control with the score at 43-4. Vijay (7-0-26-2) picked up a couple of wickets with a mixture of off- and leg-breaks and Andy applied pressure from the other end (4-2-14-0) with Adam the main beneficiary (3-0-11-2), picking up a couple of quick wickets. The Harriers ‘keeper was providing the bulk of the runs but just after bringing up his 50, Colin “Golden Arm” Davey was introduced and needed just one ball to dismiss him, hit wicket, and wrap up a 66 run victory. |
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The eventual margin of victory didn’t really reflect the pressure that Harriers had exerted and there can be little argument that, with glorious sunshine and a hearty tea, cricket was the real winner! |
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