“Due to the unfortunate incident with our pavilion being broken into (what is the point of having Inspector Wigham aka Detective Sergeant Ockwell on our books if he doesn’t prevent or solve things like that?!) we were unable to play at home against West Sussex Wanderers but our kind neighbours, Singleton, were good enough to let us use their ground so the game went ahead. We were doubly lucky as the sun shone and there was a real feeling that summer had arrived. With the weather and the setting in our favour the game was bond to be an enjoyable one, whatever the outcome.
The toss was won by Boxgrove and skipper James Thorpe invited West Sussex Wanderers to bat, not doubt mindful that they played out for a draw the last time the two sides met. The pitch looked good and true which was thanks to the efforts that the hardworking Francis Ward had put in before the game. In terms of team news for Boxgrove, we once again managed to field a full eleven (this is getting to be a habit!) and there were recalls for Liam Glasspool and Aiden Mant while Francis Ward came into the side to add considerable weight to the bowling attack.
The Boxgrove bowlers started well and Paul Mant had a huge shout for what looked a plumb LBW turned down in the first over. Kevin McGeough beat the bat time and time again but eventually the West Sussex Wanderers openers started to get on top. Some nice shots from Jon Cooper and the riding of some good fortune by Swales had Boxgrove looking nervously at the scoreboard. The in form Matt Langton was then called into the attack but the Wanderers openers responded by bringing up the 50 partnership. James Thorpe, also in form with the ball, brought himself on and was rewarded almost immediately by bowling Swales with a ball that cut and took the top off middle stump. The big hitting Ledward was then snared beautifully by Langton (2-31) who followed that up by having Howard caught by Barrett at mid off for 2. The stage after that belonged to Thorpe as he ripped through the West Sussex Wanderers middle order taking a caught and bowled, bowling Barker for a duck and then having Guiel stumped by Holl also for 0. The hat-trick ball was just about negotiated before Thorpe then wrapped up his third 5 wicket haul for the club by pulling off a terrific caught and bowled to remove Doyle without scoring thus earning him career best bowling figures of 6-2-10-5.
All this time Cooper was going about his job of holding the West Sussex Wanderers innings together and duly brought up what was an impressive half century with a lovely cover driven boundary. Ward replaced Langton and Ockwell replaced Thorpe and whilst the former bowled with little luck, the latter had Stanford caught behind for nought and then showed a hunger to take a catch off his own bowling to finish with career best figures of 2-25. The last wicket partnership was an effective one for Wanderers however, helped by some shoddy fielding, and a frustrating time ensued for Boxgrove as they strove to wrap up the innings. The returning McGeough (1-22) eventually did the trick by having the impressive Cooper caught smartly by Barrett at extra cover for an excellent 60. And so, the West Sussex Wanderers innings finished on 125 all out on the stroke of tea leaving an interesting run chase for Boxgrove upon the resumption.
In response the opening partnership of James Thorpe and Lewis Donnovan struggled to get going against tight bowling and the situation deteriorated as Donnovan backed off towards Midhurst to one that kept straight and was bowled for a duck. Wayne Barrett was next up and looked solid from the off but Thorpe rode his luck when dropped at point as the game entered a tense phase. Eventually the Boxgrove batters got on top but it was slow going until Thorpe decided enough was enough and cut loose to take 12 off of one of Issitt’s overs thus bringing up what had been a very important fifty partnership. Barrett had been continuing his recent good showings with the bat but had a sudden rush of blood to the head, perhaps trying to emulate his skippers efforts from the previous over, and skied one that was duly taken by the keeper thus seeing ‘Shane’ on his way for a good 16. That dismissal brought Mark Holl to the wicket for the 400th time in his Boxgrove career and together with Thorpe he took Boxgrove nearer to the target for victory. The fifty partnership landmark was passed and then Thorpe duly brought up what was his 70th fifty for the club. He then started to up the tempo to try and wrap up the win but after hitting a nice 6 was then out attempting a similar shot, bowled by Cooper for 73. With just 9 to win McGeough (3 not out thus passing 200 runs for the club) came out to keep Holl (28 not out) company as the win by 7 wickets with 4 overs in hand was achieved with some lusty blows.
So Boxgrove secured a fourth win in seven attempts (two draws) to maintain a good start to the season but it only gets harder from here on in with a head to head cup and Sunday game coming up against their rivals, Singleton, both at Singleton (at least we can’t say we haven’t had a practice on their wicket!!).
West Sussex Wanderers 125 all out (Thorpe 5-10, Ockwell 2-25, Langton 2-31, McGeough 1-22)
Boxgrove 126-3 (Thorpe 73, Holl 28 not out, Barrett 16)
Boxgrove won by 7 wickets”
