LITTLE MARLOW
1STS v BINFIELD 1STS
Saturday 28th
July 2007
Little Marlow 1sts were, to put it bluntly, completely thrashed last Saturday – outplayed in all departments of the game.
Visitors Binfield, having elected to bat first, lost their openers with 36 runs on the board before an outstanding third wicket partnership established a stranglehold that was never released. No bowler was spared as Massey and Edgington went on the rampage. They added 188 together prior to Edgington, who’d been particularly destructive in the arc between midwicket and long on, departing for 79.
Massey, his strong bottom hand and beautiful timing having carried him to an excellent 125, was stumped by Anwar Mahmood 7 runs later. Tony Boad then had time for an undefeated 33 as Binfield made their way to 289 for 5 declared from 46 overs.
Dave Glennerster and Oliver Rigby posted 30 for Little Marlow’s first wicket, but after that a sorry procession to and from the pavilion was broken only by a sixth wicket alliance of 35 between Arfan Sharif and Charlie Rodger. The latter’s 24 was his team’s highest individual contribution before they folded for a wholly inadequate 109.
ENGLEFIELD 2NDS v
LITTLE MARLOW 2NDS
Saturday 28th
July 2007
Rodger’s elder brother, Harry, starred in Little Marlow 2nds thrilling win at Englefield.
The hosts won
the toss and put their opponents in to bat in this key bottom-of-the-table
clash. Les Ryan fell with the score on 29 and then Brian Robinson (27) and
Danny Finlay joined Rodger at the crease and the pair proceeded to rebuild, taking the total to 139 before the former was dismissed for 39. Finlay went on to celebrate the eve of his eighteenth birthday by notching 34 and, with support from Andy Findlay and Quentin Falk; take his team to 183 before they were bowled out in 50 overs. Bentley took 5 for 43.
The match swung in the balance throughout Englefield’s reply. Fine bowling from Potter and Robinson backed up Dave Steer’s two early wickets, but several useful performances kept Englefield in the hunt. Klopper, batting at number 9, made the top score of 40 but was caught by Piet Kruger to set up a nail-biting finale.
The last wicket
pair had 10 overs from which to score 7 runs, but the pressure told and Longley
was run out as they attempted a suicidal second to
Englefield were all out for 178 to leave Little Marlow victorious by 5 runs.
LITTLE MARLOW v
BOYNE HILL 2NDS
Sunday 29th
July 2007
Little Marlow’s Sunday team lost a vital toss and were inserted on a wet Bradish Ellames Recreation Ground pitch by visitors Boyne Hill 2nds.
Fifteen-year-old James Pauffley’s exemplary opening spell took full advantage of the helpful conditions. His removal of the host’s top 3 included a beauty to dismiss danger man Dave Glennerster. Having swung in, it jagged away to find the outside edge on its way through to wicketkeeper Rob Morgan.
Wickets continued to fall cheaply but Roy McMillan, playing his first game for 7 weeks, showed great resolve at number 4. Perfect shot selection enabled him to survive the difficult deliveries whilst latching on to anything loose.
At 52 for 6 he finally he finally found some prolonged support. Brian Robinson helped him double the score and reach a well deserved half-century as batting became easier after Pauffley came off and the sun took effect on the playing surface. However, just as it seemed as though Little Marlow might be able to attain a competitive total, McMillan miscued John King’s first delivery and top edged a skyer to Minhas at square leg. King then trapped Robinson leg before in his second over and the last two wickets soon followed as the hosts were dismissed for 108.
With the pitch having dried considerably Little Marlow knew they had to bowl well in order to stand an outside chance. This they did, with tall seamer Harry Rodger (2 for 14) being particularly impressive, but there were simply not enough runs in the bank. 20 from Josh Leedale and an undefeated 40 by Tom Oldershaw followed opener Morgan’s 32 as the Hill completed a 5 wickets victory.