12th July 2009
A day to forget for the Cavaliers’ 2nd’s on Sunday with a comprehensive defeat at the hands of unbeaten Stebbing.
Taking to the field a man down against a strong opponent was always likely to prove difficult - just how difficult proved to be something of an eye opener. The Stebbing openers having been watchful for the first few overs against Deji and in particular Dale went on the offensive and soon wrestled the initiative away from the home side with no bowler able to contain them, the pair bringing up their hundred opening stand coming up in very short time. Hopes that they may tire in the sun faded as both brought of up effortless half centuries. In an attempt to break up the pattern of play bowling changes were made regularly however no change in pace nor rhythm could stem the steady flow of runs as Little & Sargent brought up their double century stand despatching both good and bad balls to the boundary with ease. Little (120) was the first to bring up his well deserved century soon followed by Sargent (118*) however the former finally fell to Deji as he attacked a well placed delivery outside off stump and skied the ball to mid off where Luke took a comfortable catch. The introduction of the Stebbing skipper Law (41*) at 3 did little to slow the run rate and despite valiant efforts with the ball from all the bowlers the Stebbing side duly brought up the 300 with a few balls to spare finally closing on 308-1 off 45 overs. Needless to say that in the face of such good batting all bowlers suffered a little with only Dale going at less than a run-a-ball (9-0-49-0).
As so often happens when chasing such a large target and having been tired in the field the batting reply suffered significantly in response. In a slight change to the normal batting order given his required early departure Kevin (4*) moved up to open with Pete, however, despite their best efforts to start positively the Stebbing openers and in particular Winter ensured that runs were at a premium and when Martin having replaced the now retired Kevin fell to Winter the Cavaliers were struggling somewhat at 18-1. Paul having accommodated Kevin’s move up the order entered proceedings at No.4 but fell LBW without scoring and when Pete’s stubborn resistance was then ended for a well earned 16 it became more a question of when as opposed to how many. Pete’s departure brought Luke to the crease to join his brother but any hopes of a repeat of their efforts at Great Bentley were soon dashed as Alex (2) was caught on the leg side. Dan (0), Jason (2) & Deji (4) all did their best to hold up one end thereby enabling Luke to attack Law from the other end which he duly did hitting the spinner for a couple of maximums over the short leg side boundary. Dale at No.10 put in a tremendous effort to keep out the accurate Stebbing bowling but Luke was the last man to fall playing one shot too many bringing the Cavaliers inning to an end with a mere 69 runs on the board.
All credit to Stebbing who are, based on the four or five players that took part, without question the strongest side in the division.
Undoubtedly one to wipe from the memory banks for the Cavaliers and as per the game at St. Osyth the club will be looking for a positive response from the 2nd’s in their next league fixture away to Wickham Bishops in a fortnights time.
Cavaliers 69 vs Stebbing 308-1
Lost by 239 runs
PDQ Cars NECL Division 5
