Match Report by Ben Caine
On a very overcast day Morden Parish visited Cuddington Casuals at Raynes Park Sports Ground. Cuddington play limited overs cricket and as usual Ben lost the toss. The home team elected to bat first.
Phil and John opened the bowling. Phil was bowling well with a good line and length with John supporting him. Even so, Cuddington got of to a good start. John bowled his 8 overs all the way through with not much success. Phil was taken off after just 4 overs with the idea he would be able to bowl at the death. Peter Smith replaced him bowling very well. He began to roll back a few of the years with the number 1 batsman, on 8 trying to pull a ball but mistiming it, getting a top edge to Neal behind the stumps. The Cuddington number 3 began slowly, playing himself in. John had finished his spell and Alan took up the attack. Alan and Peter bowled very well using the pitch for all it was worth. The Cuddington batsmen were finding it hard to score against the spinners but the Parish bowlers couldn’t make the breakthrough. When Peter finished his brilliant spell Ben was bought on. He made the breakthrough in his first over dismissing the other opener, caught at backward square leg, for 67. The number 4 came and went fairly quickly, being run out for 6. Alan continued to bowl well, very economical. Sadly Ben couldn’t do the same giving away far too many runs. Phil came on to replace Alan with good effect. He had number 5 caught at mid on by Karl. He didn’t trouble the scorers. Then number 6 had his leg stump up ended for one. Cuddington finished their innings on 174 for 5 after their 4 overs.
The tea interval ensued with a lovely spread from Cuddington.
The weather began to get a little colder when Parish batmen went out to bat. Once again Maurice and Neal would open together. They raced on to 15 in quick time before Neal was bowled for 4. Ben went in at 3 to try and pick up the scoring rate but this backfired when he tried to drive a ball and edged to the keeper. With Phil in good all round form he went, as usual, at number 4. His first scoring shot when over the midwicket rope for 6. This was a taster of what was to come. Maurice was next to go, scoring 13, the keeper taking his second catch. Jim was next to the crease but he was heading back within minutes scoring just 1 with their keeper again coming into play. Alan was in next. Meanwhile Phil was scoring freely. He was clubbing the Cuddington bowlers all over the ground. This soon bought up his 50. Phil and Alan were moving the scoring on at a rapid rate. Phil was on 92, the nervous nineties before being caught in 2 minds trying to play a shot, he was again caught by the keeper. Alan was met by Steve in the middle. They score well between them and taking us to victory with Alan finishing on 37 not out and Steve with 12 not out. The Parish had reached their target in only 26 overs with the damage done by Phil with 92.
A good win for the Parish.