Snitterfield
On a warm spring afternoon, Norton Lindsey Sunday 1st XI faced off against Snitterfield CC in an entertaining preseason friendly, played on an early-season pitch offering some inconsistent bounce throughout the day. These conditions were very contrasting to the day before, with signs of early sunshine and reasonably warm temperatures operating throughout the day.
Skipper, J. Rushton lost the toss and Snitterfield elected to bat first .
M. Hall and O. Watson set the tone early on with disciplined spells, this was evident as M. Hall started with a wicket maiden, after constantly troubling the batsmen through the opening over & O. Watson getting a wicket in his final over with a ball staying slightly lower than the batsmen expected.
S. Prout-Richardson and M. Ashley who bowled very well, with tight lines and disciplined bowling leading to the Middle order being very restricted in the scoring options. Richardson was able to find a very consistent line and length, with great variation causing the batsmen to miss the ball and clattering the stumps of the Snitterfield batsmen. This was shortly followed by a miss-timed shot from the batsmen, causing a leading edge to square leg, J. Watson. Richardson finished with 4-1-4-2 . Ashley was able to find good lengths too, finishing with 8-1-21-0.
With T. White taking his turn & finding a yorker-length that the batsmen had no choice apart from blocking out & J. Rushton's variation in speed allowed him to get a wicket, with S. Prout-Richardson managing to whip off the bales in time. J. Rushton finished with 4-0-24-1 and T. White 5-1-24-0.
A. Dellow opted for spin & was joined by R. Roberts. Who both bowled good lines, until A. Dellow got hit for 6 over the garage, despite a good ball. This was then followed up with a quicker ball, which the bowler missed. Falling agonisingly short of his 50, Dellow then struck again, trapping the batsmen LBW, in front of the stumps. Roberts was able to bowl a batsman for 16 and then got the danger man out for 11 after creaming an arial shot & Dellow made no mistake in catching the ball.
The innings was finished by J. Watson & Snitterfield finished on 156-9 (40).
Then came tea, which was always going to be a treat, with the tea ladies pulling off all the stops for an incredible spread.
Norton opened with S. Prout-Richardson and J. Mann. The opening over consisted of short wide bowling, which S. Prout-Richardson capitalised on cutting the ball through the off-side for 3 consecutive 4s. After a partnership of 23, J. Mann was bowled.
A. Dellow to the crease, who yet again started by dispatching a few balls for 4. But he was unable to get going & went for (19). Followed by Richardson (21). O. Watson was joined by M. Ashley. This was short-lived as O. Watson was given out LBW for 4. Ashley now needed a partnership, which was accepted by T. White. This proved to be a key partnership in the running, which lightened the hopes of Norton. White took on the main aggressor role, as he played the balls on their merit whilst dispatching the bad balls, with good running and excellent stroke play, offering virtually no chances. He played a man of the match innings of 54* which included numerous 4s and a 6. The clubs first 50 of the season.
But alas it was not quite enough & Norton fell 15 runs short.
