1sts Bounce Back But Lose Out To Rain

Wimborne & Colehill 213 for 9 vs. Ferndown Wayfarers 40 for 1 – Match Abandoned Rain

The forecasted rain ended up winning the contest after a topsy turvy encounter at Dolmans Farm. The hosts won the toss and inserted the Minstermen on a green topped wicket that had certainly suffered from the overnight rain. Last week’s centurion Colin Randall (19) immediately looked at ease capitalising on the bad ball and hit a succession of boundaries prior to finding a leading edge from the Wayfarers opening bowler Sellers (4 for 32 off 10 overs) that was gleefully pouched at gulley. Opening bat Ben Bridgen & number 3 Andy Harms looked to progress the score as the total reached 32 prior to the loss of 3 quick wickets without adding to the score. Bridgen (2) was the 2nd wicket to fall after holing out to Sellars, Harms (11) then snicked off to Stammas (1 for 57 off 10 overs), with the recently recovered Guest (0) the 4th wicket to fall to leave the Minstermen teetering at 32 for 4. Dorset u.17 star Francis Kerins (28) and Bryanston Old Boy Ollie Bertrand looked to consolidate and put on a further 29 runs prior to Bertrand (19) somewhat unluckily feathering a leg side catch to the wicketkeeper. Stand in skipper Rob Hatchard then joined Kerins as the score slowly progressed to 90 prior to Hatchard (9) falling to a vicious unplayable delivery from off spinner Sexton (2 for 25 off 10 overs). Number 8 Ben Ratcliffe making his debut appearance of the season then put on a vital 41 run partnership until Kerins was adjudged caught behind off left armer Raftery (1 for 22 off 4 overs). Kerins knock of 28 off 109 balls belied his tender years and certainly was pivotal in holding together an indifferent batting performance. Ratcliffe was showing his quality as he pounced on anything loose and sent it to the fence however as Pamp Hill heart throb James Miller (7) was stumped off Sexton Ratcliffe was fast running out of partners and ended up holing out for a vital innings of 29 off 56 balls. With the score at 148 for 9 things looked bleak for the Minstermen as Tom Heyes & Gavin Will looked to give Wimborne a chance of totalling a defendable score. The last pair had 5 overs to hold out and they certainly didn’t hold back as they both proceeded to smash the ball all around the park! With Heyes batting sensibly and displaying a fine cover drive, Will’s muscle was clearing the fence and before Wayfarers had the chance to blink the score rocketed to 213 for 9 off the 50 overs. Heyes ended up 15 not out off only 12 balls however it was Will’s experience that dominated the 65 run last wicket partnership as he smashed 4 sixes and 2 fours to end up with a game changing 43 not out off a meagre 29 balls. 

A swift tea was taken with the weather closing in and with great credit to the umpires and both sets of players the match restarted after the interval as Ferndown’s opening bats Stanton & Sexton negotiated a difficult opening spell. A short break for rain produced a revised target of 206 from 46 overs and they progressed the score to 39 despite surviving a couple of chances prior to wicket-keeper Miller taking a fine catch off quick bowler Tom Heyes (1 for 11 off 4 overs). Will (0 for 14 off 6 overs) and Hatchard (0 for 13 off 3 overs) ensured that the hosts never kept up with the run rate and as the score progressed to 40 for 1 off 13 overs heavy rain and thunder & lightning ended any hopes of a result from the match.

In summary a great team performance from the Minstermen as the middle & lower order ensured maximum batting points of 200 were met. Gav Will & Tom Heyes totally shocked the opposition as they put on a massive partnership for the final wicket whilst there were also vital contributions from Francis Kerins & Ben Ratcliffe. With the ball Tom Heyes bowled a terrific hostile spell in gloomy conditions whilst Will & Hatchard ensured the runs were kept to a minimum. It was left to Minstermen star man David Guest to summarise after the match: ”there is nothing more satisfying than seeing the tail enders contribute with the bat, and boy did they contribute today. Our batting order has got some serious length to it and I can personally tell you that length in your batting order is vital during a long hard season.”  Sue Ridgepipe echos Guesty’s sentiments and looks forward to reporting on their home match with Broadstone next Saturday.

Sue Ridgepipe 

Category: 1sts