Boxgrove Match Report

Away to Curdridge                                                                     25^th April 2010

Following some overnight rain, the Boxgrove players waited patiently for the call to say the game was off. However, the call never came, and Boxgrove set off for the furthest away game of the season.

The players assembled in the sunshine at Curdridge (managing to find the ground without driving round half of Hampshire) for the opening fixture of the 2010 season. It was then we realised we only had nine players, and some of them were late. Paul Mant stood in as captain for the toss. We all knew that he was a good tosser, and he won, putting Curdridge in to bat. The wicket and outfield looked in very good condition, but we expected swing and seam off the pitch following the overnight rain. Eventually the remaining players arrived and Pete Courtnage was roped in to make a team of 10.

Mant and Gottesman opened the bowling, and the first run was not scored until the 5^th over. They continue to bowl tightly on a pitch offering swing and seam (although not as much as expected). The fielding was surprisingly good, (notably Vinnicombe and Ockwell), especially considering this was the first game of the season.

A double bowling change brought the first wicket. McGeough replaced Mant and Vinnicombe replaced Gottesman. Vinnicombe’s third ball was edged to McGeough who leapt like a salmon at point. However, salmon can't catch cricket balls either and the chance went begging. Two balls later, another edge and Gottesman took the catch at slip (reputedly to be his 200^th for Boxgrove).

McGeough continued to trundle in at one end, whilst Vinnicombe bowled four overs at the other (the wides and no balls made this seem a lot more). Thorpe replaced Vinnicombe and continued the tight bowling.

Wickets fell at intervals, one to Thorpe (caught by Vinnicombe at cover) and one to McGeough (bowled), as the Curdridge score moved slowly past 100. Curdridge then started to increase the run rate, with a variety of shots, many not found in the text books. The fielding started to become a bit ragged with another couple of dropped catches and missed run outs.

Mant replaced McGeough after 12 overs (so he could get some oxygen) and Gottesman came back to replace Thorpe. With the opening bowlers back again, Curdridge became more desperate in their attempts to increase the run rate. A cool piece of fielding from Gottesman ran out one batsman, and Gottesman then dismissed a couple more. Finally Mant took another wicket with Vinnicombe taking his second catch of the game. Curdridge ended at 164 for 7, with each bowler taking at least one wicket.

After tea, the Boxgrove batsman Thorpe and Gottesman strolled to the crease and proceeded to attack the bowling. Gottesman’s first ball was a flat back flail straight back past the bowler for four. The openers continued to pile on the runs against some fairly average bowling, until Gottesman was bowled for 34. Reed (Rew) joined the fray until he was out for 17 and is now the 3^rd highest scorer for Boxgrove. Thorpe was then bowled for 71 and this left Vinnicombe and Donnovan to see Boxgrove home. With less than 4 per over required in the last 5 overs, it became squeaky bum time, as a maiden over was bowled. Then with 2 overs remaining, a wide went for four (although the scorer put this down as runs for Vinnicombe) and the game was won by 7 wickets.

A good all round performance, with everyone making a contribution ( Wayne's was doing the score book).

Bowling Figures

Gottesman      9 Overs            1 for 13

Mant               10 Overs          1 for 41

McGeough      12 Overs          1 for 32

Vinnicombe     4 Overs            1 for 21

Thorpe             9 Overs            1 for 36

Catches

Vinnicombe     2

Gottesman      1

Batting Figures

Thorpe                    71

Gottesman             34

Reed                      17

Vinnicombe           16 Not Out