Game 1 v Harlestone II

St Michael's Cricket Club

Opponent	:	Harlestone II
Date	:	26 April 2008
Venue	:	Harlestone
Result	:	Lost by 55 runs

Innings of: Harlestone II

1	R Toone	LBW	b Lambert	33	Bowling	O	M	R	W
2	M Brooks		b Baker	6	M Baker	12	2	51	2
3	M Maule		b Swann	42	M Lowe	9	1	42	0
4	P Sharma	ct Lambert	b Geddes	69	I Geddes	10	0	41	1
5	M Harrison	ct Lambert	b Baker	13	G Lambert	11	1	46	1
6	G Slinn		not out	22	M Swann	3	0	13	1
7	J Marsh		run out (Geddes)	0
8	M Anglin		not out	0
	Overs	45	Extras	14
	Wickets	6	Total	200

Innings of: St Michael's

1	S Tinant	ct Toone	b Harrison	18	Bowling	O	M	R	W
2	D Harrison	ct Maule	b G Slinn	0	G Slinn	11	2	24	3
3	G Mayes	ct Toone	b G Slinn	27	P Sharma	13	1	30	1
4	A Bartley		b E Slinn	25	M Harrison	11	2	50	4
5	M Collier		b Harrison	0	E Slinn	8.2	1	30	2
6	G Lambert	ct Toone	b Harrison	0
7	I Geddes	ct Harrison	b Sharma	6
8	M Swann		b G Slinn	11
9	M Lowe	ct Sharma	b E Slinn	18
10	B Ahearn		b Harrison	20
11	M Baker		not out	0
	Overs	43.2	Extras	20
	Wickets	10	Total	145

Match report, by a respected observer of the game of cricket

St Michaels opening match of the 2008 campaign ended in a disappointing 55 run defeat to Harlestone 2s.

The expectation was high on arrival at sunny and picturesque Harlsestone. A series of fielding drills and rabid cricket conversation sent the players into a testosterone laden frenzy before stand in skipper Ian 'Steve Sidwell' Geddes lost the toss and informed the troops we were in the field.

Martin Baker, fresh after completing the Boston Marathon a few days previously, opened the season with an impressive opening spell accounting for Brooks all ends up in the 11th over. At the other end Kolpak signing Mick Du Lowe, bowling up the hill, had trouble with the crease and over stepped on a few occasions. That said St Michael's kept it tight early on, and the introduction of the iconic messiah that is Geoff Lambert with Ian Geddes expected results. However the breakthrough was hard to come by as Harlestone went about their business in setting a testing total. Although Lambert, Geddes, Swann and Baker again picked up wickets the games defining moment was in the last 8 overs when the return of the new ball bowlers saw the Harlestone batters tuck into a boundary laden buffet. Firstly Mick 'Pica' Lowe had to watch as Sharma mullered him over the fence and into the next village. But worse was to follow as Premier bowler Baker was hit into next week not once but twice in the same over. Air traffic control were on a state of alert for a while, but Lambert's diving catch off the bowling of the returning Sidwell put an end to the carnage. But the 45 runs in 5 overs would prove to be crucial at the final outcome.

In response, Michael's never really got going, Weenyhead Harrison gave gully some catching practice. Simeon Tinant, after a bright start, was caught behind and Graham Mayes on his return to the side was likewise caught behind when being well set. Worse was to follow as Kitty Collier got cleaned up first up and Rambo Lambo went gung ho first ball and spooned it up to cover. Evergreen Al Bartley tried to repair the damage, first with Geddes, and then veteran 72 year old left armer Malc Swann. But when they departed it was left to Micky Lowe and gloveman Brian Ahearn to make the score respectable. They put on a stand of 41 with a combination of lightning quick singles, deft late cuts, and technically brilliant stroke play belying their batting positions before first 'Bertie' Ahearn was cleaned up and then next ball 'Swing' Lowe holed out to leave underrated batsmen 'Gilly' Baker at the other end.

A sociable drink was taken at the Fox and Hounds and the football card sold, with Simeon the winner of �20 large. With spirits still high we move to next week.....