Morning all Juggernaught's out there. Juggernaught FM back on the airwaves. On a mix weather day up in Burgess Hill, and across Sussex, we had another set of challenges presented to the 4th's. The track looked helpful if you put the ball in the right areas but ok to bat on too for people who applied themselves. After winning the toss we followed our usual plan and inserted the opposition. We found out first hand that all the oppositions batters were very willing to apply themselves and wait for the bad ball. At this level we were always going to bowl bad balls so the bowling and fielding became an afternoon of attrition. We plugged away for little reward. St. Andrews opener had set his stall out to bat through it seemed so we had to change tack and go for run limitation. with 15 overs to go and only 2 wickets down we expected a real onslaught of runs form the opposition to really make us rue putting them in. This onslaught never came and their innings stayed on paced all through. In the chase to dislodge a couple we even tried the Rob Cool effect and gave him the penultimate over. He bowled really well and only went for 6 singles. They declared on 225 for 2. I thought this was light in the fact we had to chase down whatever was set as we had no points. Adam and Jamie opened the bowling well as did Nick, Jack Dunn. Jack found plenty of turn and flight. A few wickets were deserved but it was one of those days.
After another hearty tea we set about the chase. Lloyd and Aaron gave us a solid start before we lost 3 very quick wickets which took us back a bit. Robbie Anderson's welcome return gave us a solid base in which to rebuild and with BC we began to chip away at the score. After getting a good nut Robbie had to depart and went with glowing comments from the opposition umpire as to his patience whilst batting, just what was needed. That brought Rob Cool to the crease to bat with his ripple old man. This led to some physical runs being run and before long we had knocked a whole in the target and also in my oxygen supplies!! they ringed the boundary to me so every knock into the outfield was resulting in two's. We stayed alert and pick up some over throws also. This gave us the momentum we needed to get close. One big over with some great shots from Rob took us close enough to take some pressure off. Unfortunately for poor Rob he got given out LBW when within site of the finish line. Matt Payne came in and ticked off the remaining runs to give us the 20 points we needed.
This was a tough game and taught us some lessons as to staying positive and also changing a game plan during a game. We had to realise we werent going to take 10 wickets so we had to keep the runs down. When chasing we knew we had to keep wickets in hand going into the last 20 overs and after a little blip at the start we went in to the last 20 only 3 down which proved vital. We also learnt that we HAVE to stay as a team all day long. We ARE going to have days like this in the field and we will only claw things back if we are positive and confident. Even the opposition were forced, at times, to be critical of each other. In order for us to progress this can't happen. As said on every week, a player can influence a game but only a TEAM can win a league or division. We have a really fun team to be around.
Scorecard
No comments:
Post a Comment