FPCC v Dorset Wanderers - Over 400 runs scored

Skipper Tom Mitchell reports:

So after a couple of weeks of indifferent results (and indeed weather).  Fonthill welcomed regular visitors Dorset Wanderers to the park yesterday, looking to return to winning ways.  Good opening spells from Jonny Silver and Malick Kudmany were rewarded with a wicket each, but Wanderers were seemingly able to find at least a boundary per over and ran their singles very well.   After 10 overs they already had over 60 on the board and Fonthill were looking at a long afternoon in the field.  

Then Ben Hendy entered the fray with his left-arm spin, he well and truly clawed the run-rate back with the miserly figures of 1 for 21 from his 7 overs; a superb effort!  With Dan Brickell also causing their batsmen problems at the other end,  his excellent 7 overs 0-44 would have been duly rewarded with at least 1 wicket had he managed to hang on to a couple of very hard low caught and bowled chances.  Throughout, their number 4 batsman Webley looked assured and despite bringing the run rate down they had still managed to reach 184-4 before 30 overs was up. Ed Hobbs was summoned to close out the innings (5 overs 1-23) bowling a very tight line and length, and when Malick returned for his final 2 overs with customary fire and spice he dislodged the aforementioned Webley for an excellent 88 and their innings virtually ground to a halt, finishing on 198.  An excellent effort all round and confidence was high for a successful chase given a fast outfield and excellent wicket curated to perfection as ever by MM.

Will Griffin opened the batting with his elegant strokes getting us off to a good start, whilst Tom K-B unfurled some characteristic  'hockey' sweep shots at the other end.  When Tom fell, Howard kept Will company, seeing off the danger of their opening salvo, but Fonthill were somewhat behind the required rate. The captain wasted no time in registering a 🦆 and we were in a spot of bother at 39-3. Dan Brickell joined Will and gradually began to rebuild with a sensible partnership.   

Will registered a well-deserved maiden half-century for the club, but fell immediately after (51 from 59 balls).  Mark Mikurenda strode to the middle and immediately provided some impetus with some 'Zorro-esque' drives to the boundary. When Mark was dismissed (138-5) new recruit James Kent belied the fact he hadn't batted for 17 years and immediately settled into his stride, but alas on 8 ,cut one straight to point where the fielder took a good catch above his head.  

The required rate was up above 7 an over, but there was no panic in the ranks. The Fonthill lower-middle order had a reassuring look about it as the in-form Ed Hobbs made his way to the crease. The inexperienced (and some 'more experienced) Wanderers bowling attack began to come under pressure and the 'extras' tally rose. Hobbs went on the attack hitting the first maximum of the innings and Dan Brickell also passed 50.

The rate was coming down towards a run a ball, only for a good bowling change to induce an edge from Dan (55 off 63).  Jonny Silver helped progress the score to 171-8 but fell forcing Ben Hendy to have to make a match-changing intervention yet again.  Ben and Ed batted sensibly and managed to bring the rate under a run a ball but just as the assembled spectators were starting to breathe a sigh of relief, in the penultimate over Ben was caught, forcing last man Malick to 'save the day'.  He resolutely saw-off the last 3 balls of the over without risk. Leaving a simple equation - 6 required from 6 balls, 1 wicket remaining,  Ed on strike.

It was never in doubt; Ed authoritatively despatched the first ball for 4, before calmly leaving / playing and missing to accompanied gasps from the crowd (delete as you see fit 😉) the 2nd ball!  Either way, the 3rd ball was dispatched over the rope at long-on!  A match winning 34  (from 20 balls) to go with his  unbeaten 78 earlier in the week (a weekly century at least!)

Dorset Wanderers 198-6 (off 35 overs), FPCC 203-9 (off 34.3 overs).

A comfortable win with 3 balls to spare!   A good game of cricket. An excellent all-round team effort. If only it was a bit warmer!