Sunday 7th May 2006.
Easebourne CC v Lodsworth CC at Easebourne.
Easebourne CC 112 all out (A Smith 50, Nutting 23: Jon Houghton 9 overs 4 for 30, Matt Hall 8 overs 2 for 21, Paul Phillips 8 overs 2 for 25, John Braithwaite 10 overs 2 for 33).
Lodsworth CC 114 for 9 (Rod Taylor 32, Christian Budd 13: D Smith 11 overs 6 for 36, Fourie 13 overs 2 for 34).
Lodsworth won by 1 wicket.
Upon winning the toss, Easebourne elected to bat on a wicket that proved to be temperamental, creating problems for the batsmen on both teams and ultimately leading to a low scoring game. Lodsworth bowled efficiently and kept the batsmen on a short rein. Jon Houghton returned the best figures with 10 overs 4 wickets for 30 runs, ably assisted by John Braithwaite (10 overs 2 for 35), Matt Hall (8 overs 2 for 21) and Paul Phillips (8 overs 2 for 25). Zimbabwean all-rounder A Smith mastered the bowling and the vicissitudes of the wicket, contributing 50 for Easebourne who finished on 112 all out.
Lodsworth were similarly affected by the unpredictable nature of the wicket and struggled initially. A Smith led the Easebourne attack returning 11 overs 6 for 36 while his compatriot Fourie bowled 13 overs 2 for 24. It seemed that the home team would triumph until Lodsworth’s Rod Taylor arrived at the crease and struck a flamboyant 32 including two mighty 6’s and three 4’s. This, and a high total of byes, effectively swung the game in Lodsworth’s favour though the result went right down to the wire with the last two batsmen at the crease and eight runs required. Miraculously both skipper Bob Powell and John Braithwaite struck 4’s and snatched the game from the predatory ring of fielders.
Lodsworth Man of the Match Rod Taylor
Bob Powell
Skipper
Lodsworth CC
