Champions Parley Ran to The Wire

Parley 212 for 5 beat Wimborne & Colehill 205 for 8 by 7 runs (43 overs a side due to delayed start)

Wimborne & Colehill 1st XI were involved in another close fought match on Saturday as defending Dorset Premier League champions Parley were more than matched by the Minstermen.

After a heavy downpour an hour prior to the scheduled start time the match eventually got underway 50 minutes late and that meant a reduced overs match of 43 per side. Skipper Andy Hayward won the toss and inserted Parley as the Minstermen looked to extract any moisture from the track. Veteran seamer Gavin Will picked up the first wicket as he tempted Parley overseas player Baker (12) to snick behind to keeper Miller with the score on 26. Change bowler David Guest (1 for 40 off 7 overs) then picked up the wicket of the dangerous Jacques (6) in his first over as he was well caught by Joe Weld at short mid-wicket. With Gav Will (1 for 14 off 9 overs) bowling a well disciplined line and length from one end, that included 3 maidens for his opening 4 overs, Parley professional Raj Naik (9) got frustrated as the run rate was only at 3.5 an over and ran himself out after a mix up with opening bat Collins. With Parley 69 for 3 off 19 overs the Minstermen were extremely happy with their start, especially with Naik, who is normally so prolific, back in the hutch. In came skipper Roshan Embalagama and the left hander immediately looked to up the rate, posting a stylish and attacking 33 off 26 balls prior to holding out to a fine running catch by Randall off seamer Bridgen (1 for 9 off 1 over). During that over it was clear that Bridgen was struggling with his bowling shoulder so for the midlander to battle through to complete his over and pick up a vital wicket was great credit to him. With Parley at 121 for 4 off 28 overs, they were well placed to post a total over 200, however the Minstermen knew that a couple more quick wickets would seriously test the depth of their batting. Off-spinner Ollie Bertrand (0 for 35 off 9 overs) bowled a great set of overs that gave little away and was unlucky not to gain a reward of a wicket or two. Opening bat Sam Collins (52), who was dropped early on, reached a well constructed anchored half century prior to the returning Hatchard (1 for 59 off 9 overs) deceiving him with a slower ball and knocking back his timbers to leave the score at 139 for 5 with 10 overs left to play. Parley’s 6th wicket partnership of Gunn (52*) and Stickland (29*) really upped the ante with some clever running between the wickets and some calculated risks that ensured that the defending champions posted 212 for 5 from their allotted 43 overs.

Wimborne & Colehill lost opening bat Randall (10) early on in their response however Ben Bridgen joined skipper Hayward and they carefully saw out the sometimes hostile new ball spell from teenagers Barber & Nippard. With Hayward watchfully dropping anchor and Bridgen despatching the loose deliveries on offer the pair ensured the Minstermen reached 100 off 21 overs. Parley’s spinners Naik (0 for 30 off 9 overs) & Stickland (0 for 31 off 9 overs) tied Hayward & Bridgen down with the former especially struggling to find the gaps in the field as only 7 runs were added from the next 4 overs caused a terrible call from Hayward that left Bridgen (40) scampering back short of his ground. With the score at 107 for 2 off 25 overs the Minstermen were still very well placed as the in form Guest joined Hayward at the crease. With the title challenges Parley realising they were in more than a match things were going up a gear or two in the middle as Guest immediately showed his classical drives to get the scoreboard ticking again. Hayward was gradually running out of steam as he continually hit the field and was eventually run out for 58 off 116 balls. With the score at 160 for 3 off 36 overs 7.5 runs an over from the last 7 overs were required to pull off a fantastic run chase. With Guest at the crease and looking in dominant form the Minstermen knew they had a great chance however disaster struck next over as Guest (31) was adjudged run out to leave the Minstermen on 166 for 4. The promoted Weld (3) and Bertrand (3) were both dismissed looking to up the ante in difficult circumstances and Francis Kerins (12) played a useful run a ball knock prior to being bowled by Hicks (3 for 32 off 5 overs) to leave the score at 186 for 7 with 16 balls remaining. 27 runs to win from 16 balls was a big ask for the Minstermen however with big hitters James Miller & Gav Will at the crease anything could still happen. With some hard hitting from Miller, 16 were needed from the last 6 balls, which was probably just a little too much. The first ball was crashed to the boundary by Miller to leave Wimborne needing 12 from 5, however Hicks held his nerve as Wimborne & Colehill closed 7 runs short on 205 for 8 as Miller was bowled off the last ball for a fine cameo of 20 off only 16 balls.

A fantastic contest that champions Parley probably didn’t expect to be in at the start of the match or even at the tea interval. Wimborne & Colehill players can hold their heads high that they almost caused an upset, however you have to acknowledge that it was another match that Wimborne were in a match winning position only to miss out at the final furlong. It was left to skipper Hayward to sum up afterwards: “we felt that 212 off 43 overs was gettable even though it was challenging and the key moment of the match was my bad call that ran out Ben and then my failure to move up the gears which left us with a bigger ask than we really wanted, however against weaker sides than Parley I’d expect us to easily chase 7.5 runs an over from the last 7 overs. The lads can hold their heads high though that we more than matched a team that has won the league the last 2 seasons. We are not far away from being a very good side.”

Wimborne & Colehill host Stalbridge next Saturday (1.30pm).

Category: 1sts