Today's Summers Past Feature takes us back to West Witney CC on Sunday 18th July 2010.
As an added bonus, I've even found the original match report that was published on the old Tigers blogsite. Here we go ...
Tigers XI v Richard Denner XI
Sunday 18th July 2010
This was a match where bowlers from both sides toiled hard but the batsmen won the day.
After winning the toss, Richard Denner opted to put his side into bat.
The Richard Denner XI openers nudged and prodded their way through a hostile first ten overs as Steve Brackley and Stewart Towell sought early wickets. But, despite keeping the run count very low, neither opening bowler took the first valuable wicket and it was first change Ash Kolamkar who struck first. A good length ball found the edge of Horgan’s bat and keeper Mick Donegan took a superb one-handed catch to send the batsman on the lonely walk.
At the other end, John Grain – in his first game back from his serious injury in May – succeeded in removing the other opener as Lowe tried driving through mid-wicket. His drive found the safe hands of Nic Yeoman and the Richard Denner XI looked as if they might be in trouble. Nobody in the Richard Denner XI was breaking a sweat – they had Arthur Robinson, after all.
The Goliath-like Robinson strode out to the crease and made his intentions clear by getting of the mark with a huge six over long-on. His onslaught continued and in just 24 balls he was raising his bat for his half-century.
Meanwhile, Saverimuttu was quietly improving his own average as the Tigers bowling faltered. As the Richard Denner XI innings moved into its third quarter however, some tight bowling and sharp fielding stemmed the haemorrhaging of runs. Then, with Robinson on 92, a combination of Nic Yeoman and Steve Brackley succeeded in removing him from the batting attack. Driving a full-length ball off his toes, Robinson’s shot found the safe hands of Steve Brackley at square leg and suddenly the game was in the balance again.
As the visitor’s innings drew to a close, Brackley had a hand in the last Richard Denner XI wicket to fall. A smart throw in from deep left keeper Mick Donegan little to do but remove the bails to end the stoic innings of Saverimuttu. An excellent 52 from the number 3 batsman.
The final overs were seen out by our friend, Dave Williams - injured but still more than capable – and the more senior of the King family in the field today.
The Richard Denner XI innings finished on 205. A very good total and one that on many days at our level might prove match winning.
The Tigers were off like a shot as Ash Kolamkar cut and drove his way through the opening overs. Fellow opener Tim Portlock fell to a neat catch by Ben King off the bowling of Saverimuttu.
With Portlock departed Chris Grain took to the crease and, in the overs that followed, the pair elegantly but aggressively carved out a partnership that would ultimately prove to be a match winner. But, at this point, the game was far from over. Robinson finally despatched our Ash for 82 having him caught behind by a very happy Wyatt.
The incoming batsman Floyd did little to trouble the scorer. Another wrong choice of agricultural shot and King senior sent him on his way with his off stump swinging in the air for just five.
Which brings the Grain brothers together to effectively finish the innings. With the light fading fast and the aggressive Robinson and King looking to finish the Tigers’ chances of a victory, the brothers Grain picked their shots to steer the Tigers close to the target of 206 needed for a win.
But, on a day when no side ever looked assured of running away with the win, the Richard Denner XI still managed to add a final twist. With the target in sight, Chris Grain played through an excellent delivery from Smith. The Tigers captain departed on 66 with a handful of runs needed for victory.
John & Chris Grain
Building on Ash Kolamkar's 82 to steer the Tigers to victory
John Grain and Geoff Hoare saw the game through to completion, knocking up the final runs to secure a second Sunday victory of the season.
But what a game. Played in a wonderful spirit by two friendly but competitive teams through to a very close-run conclusion. Win or lose we would have enjoyed this one and we very much hope to have a return fixture next season.
So there we have it. A Tigers victory over a side that hadn't been beaten for two years ... sometimes life's good lads, eh?
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