Mean bowling, sharp fielding and unnamed dog combine to dismiss Chilmark

Tom Mitchell reports, with apologies for the lateness of the report, due to the demands of the agrarian calendar.

On a sunny August Sunday Fonthill took on local rivals Chilmark for the third thime this season looking to complete 'the treble'.  Unsurprisingly Chilmark elected to bat first and Freddie Power was soon charging up the hill from the Beckford end and chuntering all the way back to his mark in true 'Power' fashion about the inconvenience of having to bowl solely at the left-hander and other such woes!  At the other end Henry Smith was going quietly about his work with metronomic McGrath-esque control of line and length, soon inducing a classical edge which perfectly bisected Comyn and Hobbs at 1st slip and ran away for a rare boundary. Once Freddie eventually got to face the right hander, he wasted no time in rearranging his stumps: 7 overs 1-23.

With Henry bowling tightly (0-15 from 5), Chilmark were going nowhere fast but had wickets in hand. Ben Hendy entered the fray with his accurate left arm spin; as batsmen looked to accelerate he pinned them back - parsimonious figures of 7 overs 2-24.   But their 'gun' batsman was still there and Fonthill were wary; the scars of seasons past still fresh in the memory.  Never fear; double M was perusing  the amphitheatre from the shade of 'the log' when he cunningly allowed his 4 legged companion to wander onto 'his' outfield behind the bowler’s run-up to accompanying 'tut-tuts'  from the Fonthill fielders.  This break in play clearly distracted the aforementioned batsman and the very next ball Ed Hobbs produced a snorter which lifted from a length outside off-stump, caught the edge and was dutifully snaffled by Comyn behind the stumps.  Hobbs finished with the remarkable figures of 6 overs 3 maidens 1-5 as the Chilmark batsmen could hardly lay bat to ball.  Ashley Major was unplayable in his  3 overs 1-7 and Henry Smith made up for being foiled in the wickets column by effecting 3 run-outs in an all-round excellent fielding display by Fonthill.  The skipper had to bring himself on to bowl to help push the Chilmark total over 3 figures and Peter Catarinella, bowling at the end of the innings, finished with 2-29 from 5 as Chilmark managed a remarkably stodgy 119-9 from their 35 overs.

After a fine tea (which was more than a match for Chilmark’s offering I'm sure 😉) featuring bountiful scones from Alison Smith and a contender for 'cake of the season' from the Hobbs household (passionfruit and coconut in case you're wondering), Fonthill were itching to set about their chase of a moderate target, but as we know, one can never judge how good a first innings total is until both teams have batted.   

Chilmark had one choice and that was to go on all-out attack!   Comyn has been in a rich vein of form of late but this time was the recipient of 'a platinum duck' - cue a scramble for pads and such paraphernalia amongst the Fonthill batsman.  Leigh Godfrey resolutely resisted the pace barrage directed at him and Sam Whiting attacked admirably when the ball allowed.  Meanwhile the extras column was racking up as the Chilmark keeper succumbed to the salvo more than the Fonthill batsmen.  That said, Fonthill were still 44-3 when Ewen Moore strode to the crease and someway from the target.   Ewen immediately looked at ease stroking 3 boundaries, but assured himself he was far enough forwards to allow the vagaries of the Fonthill slope to save him when struck in front, but alas Umpire Peter is a member of the bowlers’  Union and rightly sent him on his way at 56-4.  Ben Hendy dug in as did Ashley Major who followed him, whilst at the other end, Fonthill’s 'Mr Reliable' was going about his work with steady accumulation whilst Dad snoozed in the shade on the boundary edge.  Before we realised it Henry had 47 to his name; (a 4 rather than a single to win the game would've given him another half century I might add).  But the game was won inside 22overs, leaving plenty of time to celebrate a clean sweep of Chilmark this season. 

A game played in extremely good nature throughout, aided possibly by the generous Chilmark umpiring! Many thanks to all those who contributed to the ground, bar and teas etc.   A very happy captain, Tom was presented with a fine birthday cake by Mrs Mitchell after the game to celebrate his 40th birthday and his win over the local rivals.

Chilmark 119-9 (35 overs) FPCC 120-5 (21.2 overs)