Much to everyone’s surprise given the monsoon the previous day, the Buccaneers completed a full 40 over match on 23 July at West Chiltington & Thakeham CC, and came up just short in a high-scoring thriller.
Buccs lost the toss and found themselves fielding on a pitch offering good pace and bounce and an outfield on the slow side after Saturday’s rain. Unperturbed, the WCTCC openers got off to a flyer, B. Van Noort in particular punishing anything slightly off length. The introduction of Stephen Moules and Archie Marsh saw wickets begin to fall, but Buccs struggled for control in the face of some big hitting, and did not aid their own cause by dropping nine catches in the process. Special mention must go to Warwick Okines who bowled his leg spin with guile and was unlucky not to pick up a couple of wickets. WCTCC finished their allotted 40 overs on 251 for 6.
Following an excellent tea, Berry and Marsh, J. made a steady start to our chase and were beginning to go through the gears when Angus was superbly caught at long off attempting a lofted drive and James was grabbed on the deep long-on boundary. Ludo Milne joined the party and struck the ball cleanly on his way to 52, before he too was very well caught in the deep. As Sutton and Milne snr departed in quick succession – the latter “googled” for the first time in his career by Davies, who extracted significant turn both ways – much depended on messrs Moules (58) and Rydon (38). Stephen and Rob kept us very much in the game with some lusty blows and speedy running between the wickets, but both eventually fell to yet more good West Chilts catching. The Buccs late-innings wobble left us needing 11 from the final over and five from the last ball – which alas proved to be just too many.
A brilliant day out at a wonderful ground and we very much look forward to returning next year.
Innings of WC&TCC
B. Van Noort b. S. Moules 74
O. Holden b. S. Moules 26
A. Tatchell ct. M. Sutton b. A. Marsh 3
C. Davies c&b L. Milne 65
N. Kuchhadia LBW A. Marsh 7
H. Gillespie+ ct. M. Sutton b. L. Milne 52
S. Collyer Not out 10
N. North Not out 9
J. Hodgson* did not bat
P. Rawlins did not bat
T. Beeks did not bat
Extras 6
251 – 6 (40 overs)
Buccaneers bowling
R. Rydon 6. -. 24. –
L. Milne 8. -. 24. 2
S. Moules 8. 1. 36. 2
A. Marsh 8. -. 58. 2
J. Marsh 4. -. 43 –
W. Okines 6. -. 45. –
Innings of Buccaneers
A. Berry ct. [Unknown] b. Rawlins 31
J. Marsh ct. N Kuchhadia b. Beeks 40
L. Milne ct. [Unknown] b. Van Noort 52
M. Sutton ct. [Unknown] b. Beeks 4
S. Moules ct. [Unknown] b. North 58
J. Milne b. Davies 2
R. Rydon ct. [Unknown] b. North 38
A. Marsh ct. [Unknown] b. Rawlins 9
R. Hobbs st. H. Gillespie b. Van Noort 6
W. Okines Not out 0
T. Fletcher*+ Not out 0
Extras 7
247 – 9 (40 Overs)
Buccaneers lost by four runs