Brentwood CC Victorians Vs Great Baddow

Brentwood Victorians V Great Baddow 11th May 2014

Despite an horrendous weather forecast, the Vic’s managed to get a full game in even though the day was cold and overcast.

True to form, the Vic’s skipper once again lost the toss and was requested to field first.

The bowling was opened with J. Fearnehead and R. Hull with Fearnhead making immediate inroads into the Gt Baddow batting having the opener Nuttall smartly caught behind for a golden duck. Even though Fearnhead and R. Hull bowled good line and length balls D. Smith, the Gt Baddow skipper, coming in at number three, settled in for what was going to be a long innings. Tyjas (one of two debutants for the Vic’s) was brought on to bowl and trapped Poltam LBW for 32 just as he was looking to achieve a big score. Fearnhead then had the Gt Baddow number four caught by Markham (the second debutant) for a duck and finished his spell with figures of 8 overs, 2 wickets for 34 runs. An array of bowlers were then used to try and dismiss Smith who after a relatively slow 100 accelerated and quickly reached 150. Catches were being dropped all around the filed including a simple chance behind the stumps by the usually impressive Alford. Something needed to be done about Smith who was looking like scoring 200+. After an on field discussion between I Hull and the skipper, it was decided that, in the absence of O’Brien, some pies were needed. This had an immediate effect with Smith being superbly caught on the boundary by, much to everyone’s surprise, Tijo. Hilliard and R. Hull took a wicket a piece but Smith had scored 160 and further scores in the 20’s and 30’s from the next three batsmen saw the Vic’s staring at a mammoth 301 to chase.

A cracking tea of sausage and chips was followed by the opening partnership of Surajbally and Beecheno. Surajbally quickly got into his stride playing shots all over the ground. However, Beecheno (2) was unable to stay with him. This brought Dawes to the crease with a hope from the skipper that he could follow on from his 63 the previous week. Dawes, who had fuelled himself with 9 sausages at tea, didn’t disappoint! Once again barely bothering with running, he smashed the ball for 4’s and 6’s with impressive consistency (mostly on the leg side). A second-wicket partnership of 170 put the Vic’s on course for a close run chase. Surajbally finally succumbed for a well earned 68. Number four was Tijo who had begged the skipper for a chance to bat up the order and despite the skippers faith in him, he promptly run himself out for 0. Hilliard, Markham and Tyjas fared no better, only managing 10 runs between them. Dawes was next out for a crowd pleasing 165 (what would he have got if he had 12 sausages at tea?). From what had been looking a promising position, the Vic’s were back in deep trouble. The skippers earlier statement of “we bat really deep today” was justified with the arrival at the crease of R. Hull (28) and I Hull (1) who saw the Vic’s home with one and a half overs to spare.

The Victorians won by 4 wickets.