Match Report by Ben Caine
Morden hosted Chertsey on a fairly overcast day. Yet again Ben lost the toss and the home team were put into bat. Maurice and Neal began well with both beginning to score freely. The partnership was broken with the score on 35 when Maurice was bowled for 12. Steve entered the game coming in at number 3. The scoring began to slow and soon Neal was caught behind on 17. With no Phil, Ben came in at 4 hitting 17 off his first over. Steve was soon bowled without troubling the scorers. The score at this point was 57 for 3. Charles met Ben in the middle. Usually you would expect fireworks with these two batsmen but on this occasion it was to be. Ben was bowled for 31 followed straight after by Charles for 0. This left the Parish with the last two recognised batmen at the crease, John and Alan a lot rested on them to score some runs. Both capable of putting together big innings. But the bowlers got the better of them. John was bowled for 5 and unusually Alan for 0. The Parish were no struggling. Ian and Russ made a valiant effort to score some runs but sadly it was to be. Russ bowled for 3 and Ian for 11. With Chris and Matt in the Parish bowlers were already warming up. Neither troubled the scorers. Matt was bowled leaving Chris with a much deserved not out.
The Parish finished 95 all out. This was not a lot to defend but the Parish bowlers were confident.
Apart from Neal at the top of the order, the rest of the Parish were bowled out. Whether it was the pitch, good bowling or bad batting the Parish bowlers were ready to find out.
With Ben and John opening the bowling things were going well. The runs were hard to find. John, in a good spell of bowling removed the Chertsey opener with a plum LBW. With a few more overs gone John took another wicket. Chertsey’s number 3 was trapped LBW for 11. At this point John was in full flow bowling a very good line and length. Ian replaced John after an eight over spell. This was his first chance this season to bowl. His first over of the season, a double wicket maiden. He removed the number 4 for 1, being caught on the rope at backward square leg by Steve. Then making the number 5 edge a catch to Neal behind the sticks. Charles replaced Ben but didn’t really threaten. Ian however was as dangerous as the 2 opening bowlers. He bowled the number 6. Ben soon replaced Charles and ended up removing the other opener. He was bowled for 42. This however was too little too late. Chertsey winning by 4 wickets.
The Parish bowlers done well only defending 95. This score was never going to be enough and Chertsey ended up worthy winners.