Cavaliers Cricket Club, Colchester, Essex, England

Luke 'picks' Half Century at Bentley

28th June 2009

In glorious sunshine the Cavaliers 2nd XI put their heavy defeat at the hands of St. Osyth the week before firmly behind them as they returned to winning ways with a comprehensive return victory away to Great Bentley.

In sweltering conditions the home sides openers took to the field hopeful of avenging their heavy defeat at Mill Road on the first day of the season but were soon put on the back foot with some excellent pace bowling from Robbie (4-1-9-2) and Dale whom having completing their short opening stints had the home side teetering somewhat at 22-2 off 8 overs, Robbie collecting both wickets courtesy of “safe-hands” Steve whose form in the field continues unabated. Maskell and Power proceeded to put on a useful 3rd wicket stand of 35 despite an excellent debut spell from Ben who was unfortunate not to pick up a wicket (5-0-11-0), however, Rasanga finally got the breakthrough in the 16th over dismissing Power (ct. Robbie “bad-hand” Mitchell) for 8. Thereafter the home side struggled to get their inning back on track with another couple of wickets falling relatively cheaply, Rasanga picking up his 2nd of the day (10-1-44-2) thanks to a tidy catch at 1st slip by Luke and Kevin dismissing Copper LBW for 7. At 62-5 the home side seemingly had a rethink as they looked to support the St. Osyth No.3 Maskell and he duly held things together batting sensibly and putting away the bad balls as and when they came along. Unfortunately for Maskell Kevin’s spin bowling on a turning wicket eventually proved too much for the lower order as he proceeded to collect a further three wickets (9-0-39-4), two additional catches for Robbie and following on from last week another excellent stumping by Dan. Maskell deservedly brought up his half century before finally being dismissed for 63, run out in rather farcical fashion by his tail-end partner. No other Bentley player managed to get into double figures, Dale (7.3-0-24-1) returning for his second spell picking up the final wicket trapping the blazing Clayton leg-before for 9. Yet again however the Cavaliers were guilty of conceding far too many extras in the field contributing 29 to the home sides total of 140 all out (35.3 overs) and in essence making what should have been a poor total into one that was relatively competitive.

With 54 overs to chase down 141 the usual opening pair of Peter and Paul walked out with the knowledge they could be sensible and take no undue risks and thus a slow measured start ensued before Paul played around a straight one in the 5th over with the score only 5.

Paul’s dismissal brought Alex to the crease and he and Peter accumulated runs steadily before Peter (15) finally succumbed to a low catch at short cover with the score on 29. Luke’s introduction at No.4 seemed to spark Alex into overdrive who having took his time to settle in quickly reverted to his more customary attacking style collecting boundaries with unerring regularity and in great style. Luke in trying to keep up with his brother returned to form hitting some nice boundaries himself and it soon became apparent to both sides that Bentley would struggle to restrict the visitors to 140. As is often the case post drinks break a slight lapse in concentration let the home side back into the game as Alex (42) skied a top edge to midwicket bringing another fine innings and indeed a good partnership to an end with the pair having put on 49 in under 9 overs. With good support from Steve, Luke was able to continue batting as before hitting the home side spinner for consecutive boundaries including a nice six over deep square and more positive hitting saw him bring up his fifty at better than a run a ball. Having put on 49 (jinx?) for the 4th wicket Steve (8) fell leg before with the score on 127. Needing only 14 more to win Rasanga came to the crease and helped Luke (53*) preserve his average rattling off three consecutive boundaries with the final winning runs coming from 4 leg byes, the visitors completing their run chase in just 25.4 overs.

Another good victory in Div 5 in preparation for the big game with Stebbing in a fortnights time, however, a crushing victory for St. Osyth against Cressing means the Cavaliers cannot afford any slip ups if they wish to be in contention for an immediate return to Div 4...