BackSat 21 Jul 2018
VI-KingsGraveney CC
190/7
108
Suranjan stars as VI-Kings extend winning streak
Antony Ireland23 Jul 2018 - 10:06
By Chris Hudson
On yet another glorious Saturday so far this summer, the VI-Kings kept up their momentum by doing a job on local rivals Graveney. This was a good team performance and marked the debut win for Mark Waine as skipper. All part of the ‘leadership development’ strategy being rolled out by the usual Captain Chris Hudson.
The selection process was kind this week- a nice change after two consecutive weeks of make do and mend earlier in the month. Some of the new talent in the club (specifically Morgan Stannard and Sam Parker) were available and raised their hands for the chance to play at Mynthurst. Furthermore, Tom Mason returned after a year’s hiatus and picked up where he left off. Adding to that, a couple of refugees from the 5s and the side were well placed to be very competitive.
The skipper won the toss and did not hesitate to bat first. Geoff ‘Caveman’ Chay and James ‘Barnacle’ Wilson had the honours of opening up and established an acceptable scoring rate over the first 10 overs. One of the Graveney bowlers will rue dropping Geoff early (a real sitter too) who went on the make a tidy 26. The bloke at the other end took his chance when Wilson (15) uncharacteristically sotted a drive straight back to him and it stuck. Sadly for the oppo, Reigate’s numbers 3 & 4 (Sam Parker and Suranjan) were the danger men in the order and proceeded to build a 75 run partnership that effectively ended any hopes of bowling the VI-Kings out cheaply. Typically, the drinks break was the undoing of them both as Parker (41) spooned one to midwicket and Suranjan (40) misjudged a swinging ball which hit him in front. Next up were Parker Sr. (Jon) and Tom Mackrell, the latter announcing that he wasn’t much of a ‘hanger arounder’ (who is on the VI-Kings?).
What was missing in terms of strategic shot selection was found in enthusiasm by these two and the runs kept accumulating. ‘Snapper’ Waine was unable to trouble the scorer this time which brought George ‘Sparky’ Ellis to the crease. The development of his confidence over the last few weeks has been impressive and his second shot was a one bounce four that he charged down that wicket to reach. Nice one bruv.
Unfortunately, Sparky’s athleticism is not easily found in the rest of the team and his wonderful hit for 12 (not out) came at the price of a couple of run outs as he tried to find one more each time. Note to young players (and Jon)- if you don’t fancy it, shout “NO!” when your partner is too keen. Morgan Stannard had the dubious pleasure of being run out without facing a ball (sorry mate, we’ll put you up the order next time). Only Matt ‘six or out’ Weekes missed out on the chance to bat but he would still have a profound impact on the game.
The Graveney innings started badly and went downhill from there. ‘Monster’ Weekes was on fire and convinced one of their openers to guide a ball into the hands of gully in the first over. A careful number three bat was not able to get any momentum going and soon Weekes had his second wicket. With Stannard bowling a bewitching left arm slower-than-it-looks from the other end the end of 10 overs saw the oppo on 2-17 and pinned down. Enter first change bowlers Suranjan and Tom Mason. After taking a wicket with his first ball, Suranjan was clearly establish intent. He would go on to spin his way to 4-25 in his 5 over spell- and he doesn’t even like bowling! Tom Mason (1-17) was looking good at the other end and created chance after chance, dropping two difficult c&b opportunites in the process.
Graveney did manage to build a small partnership of about 40 when their main sluggers started to have a go, but they were both worn down as the shrewd field placements of the debutant VI-Kings skipper allowed them to run ones and twos and get rather puffed out in the heat as a result. Tired batsmen make mistakes and thus the partnership was broken. The tail offered little resistance afterwards with the part-time bowlers Mackrell (2-27) and Waine (1-11) finding success from what might otherwise be described as ‘net bowling’. It was all over bar the shouting by 6.30 pm and everyone was delighted to grab a cool drink at the Plough afterwards. Not a bad efforts lads. Man of the match Mahesh ‘Suranjan’ Yapahugedara with 40 runs, 4-25 and a catch.
Ultra posse nemo obligatur
The selection process was kind this week- a nice change after two consecutive weeks of make do and mend earlier in the month. Some of the new talent in the club (specifically Morgan Stannard and Sam Parker) were available and raised their hands for the chance to play at Mynthurst. Furthermore, Tom Mason returned after a year’s hiatus and picked up where he left off. Adding to that, a couple of refugees from the 5s and the side were well placed to be very competitive.
The skipper won the toss and did not hesitate to bat first. Geoff ‘Caveman’ Chay and James ‘Barnacle’ Wilson had the honours of opening up and established an acceptable scoring rate over the first 10 overs. One of the Graveney bowlers will rue dropping Geoff early (a real sitter too) who went on the make a tidy 26. The bloke at the other end took his chance when Wilson (15) uncharacteristically sotted a drive straight back to him and it stuck. Sadly for the oppo, Reigate’s numbers 3 & 4 (Sam Parker and Suranjan) were the danger men in the order and proceeded to build a 75 run partnership that effectively ended any hopes of bowling the VI-Kings out cheaply. Typically, the drinks break was the undoing of them both as Parker (41) spooned one to midwicket and Suranjan (40) misjudged a swinging ball which hit him in front. Next up were Parker Sr. (Jon) and Tom Mackrell, the latter announcing that he wasn’t much of a ‘hanger arounder’ (who is on the VI-Kings?).
What was missing in terms of strategic shot selection was found in enthusiasm by these two and the runs kept accumulating. ‘Snapper’ Waine was unable to trouble the scorer this time which brought George ‘Sparky’ Ellis to the crease. The development of his confidence over the last few weeks has been impressive and his second shot was a one bounce four that he charged down that wicket to reach. Nice one bruv.
Unfortunately, Sparky’s athleticism is not easily found in the rest of the team and his wonderful hit for 12 (not out) came at the price of a couple of run outs as he tried to find one more each time. Note to young players (and Jon)- if you don’t fancy it, shout “NO!” when your partner is too keen. Morgan Stannard had the dubious pleasure of being run out without facing a ball (sorry mate, we’ll put you up the order next time). Only Matt ‘six or out’ Weekes missed out on the chance to bat but he would still have a profound impact on the game.
The Graveney innings started badly and went downhill from there. ‘Monster’ Weekes was on fire and convinced one of their openers to guide a ball into the hands of gully in the first over. A careful number three bat was not able to get any momentum going and soon Weekes had his second wicket. With Stannard bowling a bewitching left arm slower-than-it-looks from the other end the end of 10 overs saw the oppo on 2-17 and pinned down. Enter first change bowlers Suranjan and Tom Mason. After taking a wicket with his first ball, Suranjan was clearly establish intent. He would go on to spin his way to 4-25 in his 5 over spell- and he doesn’t even like bowling! Tom Mason (1-17) was looking good at the other end and created chance after chance, dropping two difficult c&b opportunites in the process.
Graveney did manage to build a small partnership of about 40 when their main sluggers started to have a go, but they were both worn down as the shrewd field placements of the debutant VI-Kings skipper allowed them to run ones and twos and get rather puffed out in the heat as a result. Tired batsmen make mistakes and thus the partnership was broken. The tail offered little resistance afterwards with the part-time bowlers Mackrell (2-27) and Waine (1-11) finding success from what might otherwise be described as ‘net bowling’. It was all over bar the shouting by 6.30 pm and everyone was delighted to grab a cool drink at the Plough afterwards. Not a bad efforts lads. Man of the match Mahesh ‘Suranjan’ Yapahugedara with 40 runs, 4-25 and a catch.
Ultra posse nemo obligatur
Further reading