Brentwood CC Victorians Vs South Weald

Brentwood Victorians -v- South Weald 25th May 2014

After some pretty indifferent weather in the days leading up to this match and despite forecast for rain in the morning, the game was started at 13.00 in very pleasant conditions.

The Vic’s skipper surprisingly won the toss and decided to take to the field, opening the bowling with Fernhead and Balroop. Fernhead bowled his usual tight line and was quickly rewarded with the wicket of Oliver who was out for a duck. Balroop bowled with all the zip and movement of a man 20 years his junior but with no joy, ending with figures of 6 overs, 3 maidens for 21 runs. Fernhead chipped in with another to finish with 8 overs, 2 wickets for 30 runs. This brought Markham into the attack who had the Weald opener (Cranvell) smartly caught behind by Alford with another nomination for catch of the season. Markham was brought off after 4 overs having taken 2 wickets, 2 maidens for 9 runs. The return of Terry Smith (Taranjeet) (in for Bob O’Brien who cried off an hour before the game) saw 7 quite unplayable overs from him with figures of 1 maiden, 1 wicket for 10 runs. Beecheno was on next at the request of the skipper to allow Weald to increase their run rate. Ali (Sam) and Hull (Billy) were brought on for the last 10 overs. Ali taking 4 wickets for 18 runs in 5 overs. Hull’s first wicket was fantastically caught at square leg by an acrobatic dive from Sach which made Alford’s earlier catch look relatively tame. Hull then bowled his own father round the legs to end the Weald innings and finish with 4.1 overs, 1 maiden, 2 wickets for 18 runs. Weald were bowled out for 140.

A wonderful lunch was provided by Pat Blyth who is currently serving up a variety of food that any top London restaurant would be proud of.

An ever growing crowd was there to celebrate 25 years of Victorians cricket and saw Surajbally and Pinkney once again open the batting, both getting off to a flying start. Pinkney was finally bowled for 28 and Surajbally, who has had a cracking start to his 2014 season, reached 63 before being stumped. This brought Sach and Balroop to the crease, who together, picked off the final runs with 30 N/O and 21 N/O respectively.

The Victorians won by 10 wickets.