Result: Alternatives just fail to cross the line in yet another classico
Score: Headstone St George 188-4
Alternatives 161 all out
Alternatives lost by 27 runs
Alternatives superfans gather at Heathrow to try and persuade Rick from departing to NZ – Don’t go Rick
The teams met on a cold, blustery afternoon at Petworth. The rain had fallen all morning leaving the wicket to be described as a “wet pudding” by the groundsman. The outfield looked slow, chequered with generous clumps of clover. The famous tree within the ground had fallen down, rotten, during the winter leaving its dead stump to become invaded with moss. It was not an inviting sight for Mellowship’s wonderful tan that had been carefully nurtured during his holidays…it noticeably started to fade during the afternoon’s play.
Headstone batted first in this 40 over contest.
Olliff had to battle into the wind but barely offered scraps for the openers to feed off in a tidy, tight first spell. Score managed to get some menace off the dead pitch and often found the edge, but no breakthrough came. The opening partnership started to accelerate and by 20 overs had built a very strong platform.
The Alternatives stuck to the task but could never peg back the batters. A sharp leg-side catch was taken to dismiss an opener but this did not slow the steadily rising run-rate. Although boundaries were tricky across the slow pitch, Headstone cleverly found the gaps and ran singles well, mixed in with occasional big hits.
Thompson took a couple of wickets (2-37) whilst Olliff (0-25) and Score (1-25) shared the best economy rate. However, the innings total for Headstone of 188-4 was very impressive and really worth more in such slow conditions.
So the task had been set and The Alternatives needed a champion to step forth. Did they have such a man in their ranks?
Robertson and Webb set out with resolute grit. Headstone’s bowling offered a fiery young fast bowler who threatened with nasty uneven bounce but the defence was steadfast. However, the chase was always against the run-rate and Robertson (11) was bowled as he tried to advance the attack.
Our glorious leader under the cosh
Webb never looked flustered and was never becalmed. With elegance and surety, he accumulated runs. Rarely did the ball miss the centre of his bat as he progressed through his innings. It became clear to the opposition that his was the vital wicket if they wanted to win the match.
Rick on his way to an outstanding 92, I repeat 92 runs, a new Alts record
Boden joined him at the crease and both set about the task as the innings started to gain momentum. The Headstone skipper sensed a change was needed and returned to the young speedster. The tactic worked as Boden (25) was out, caught to leg gully. The total had reached 100-2 at just short of 30 overs.
Runs were needed at a rate of nearly 8 per over so it was going to be struggle for The Alternatives. But Webb, almost standing alone as he led the charge, gave his team-mates every hope of victory with his cultured, confident stroke-play. Wickets fell at the other end but Webb’s innings gathered speed, finding the boundary in most overs. He approached his century as the spectators slipped closer to the edges of their seats. An improbable victory started to look likely.
And then…it was over. Webb, chasing an extra run to get the side closer to the finish, was run out. He had set a new batting record, 92, for The Alternatives but the challenge and his century proved just too far from his reach.
As the final wickets fell in a flurry there was a sense of disappointment. The match was lost with the final score at 161 all out, but the game had been tense and exciting right to the end.
Recent Comments