“A warm and sunny day awaited Boxgrove as they made the short trip to Lavant for what promised to be a tough game.

The toss was won by Boxgrove stand in skipper Mark Holl who duly inserted Lavant on what looked like a very green pitch. Indeed upon asking the Lavant skipper how the pitch had playing so far this season his response was a guarded “it’s a typical Lavant pitch” which did not bode too well. In terms of team news for Boxgrove, there was the luxury of eleven men fit and true (well OK we had a full side but there were doubts on the fitness and the truth side of things) and although there were notable absentees in the form of Simon Hall, Ninja Williams and skipper Ben Gottesman the team did welcome back JC from his fitness conditioning training in New Zealand (we won’t be sending him there again!) and Jake Bugden from his drinking training at college (he needs it if last year’s tour is anything to go by!).

The Boxgrove bowlers started well and the Paul Mant had the Lavant openers in trouble as he extracted lots of movement from the pitch. Meanwhile Kevin McGeough was his usual reliable self keeping things tight and gaining lots of respect from the opposition batters. However Boxgrove lacked that little bit of luck and as a result Lavant eased to 30 for no loss. However just when it was looking like a change of bowling might be needed in the heat, Paul Mant (1-18) struck to dismiss Ian Rawnsley for 17 via a catch by Jez Abbott. The bowling changes were duly made, mainly because Manty and Kev looked like they might drop dead at any moment although to be honest to most people they looked the same as usual. Rew Reed immediately made an impression by getting some lift of the pitch and therefore hurrying the opposition into some evasive action and when new batter and Lavant danger man Steve Brooker edged behind off Rew to Mark Holl for 6 and Matt Langton then accounted for Dale LBW for 21, with a ball that held its line, Boxgrove began to scent that it might just be their day. That said, we all thought that Rew’s celebration was a bit much as he ran to the away fans but instead of sliding on his knees with arms aloft it turned out he was just getting something from his bag! 

The fall of Dale brought local cricket rent boy Will “Lovage” Banks to the wicket (note: when I say rent boy it is because he is a hired gun wheeled out to play Boxgrove and not because of well you know what although there was that time on tour….). Anyway, Banks was determined to start well after his controversial dismissal against Boxgrove the week before but he was up against the in form Langton. The first ball was played to safety but Boxgrove were soon celebrating as Langton (2-20) bowled Banks middle stump for a duck. At this stage Lavant were in trouble but assured innings’ from Elphick and Stevens rescued them. There was a particularly good battle between Reed and Elphick and it was just about honours even as Reed (1-31) took a well earned rest. A double change was made with Jake Bugden taking over at the wedding venue end and Jez Abbott at the other. Bugden made an immediate impression by producing a wonder ball that swung, cut and seamed before clean bowling the dangerous Elphick for 21. After a few mixed deliveries he then accounted for Dave Banks for 15 this time courtesy of a wonderful catch from Abbott as cover point.

The skipper asked the now mostly recovered McGeough for another effort and he responded in excellent fashion with a lovely closing spell (the tide must have been out!) that accounted for Skinner for 1 and he ended with figures of 11-5-22-1. Meanwhile James Thorpe (1-13) was continuing his fine form with the ball and in keeping things tight ensured that Lavant finished on 153 for 8.

In response James Thorpe set about the Lavant bowlers from the off but Boxgrove were checked as he was caught at gully for 8 off of the bowling of Stevens. Rew Reed and Jez Abbott then put on 34 for the second wicket but good Lavant bowling restricted progress. When Abbott was caught behind for 10 it brought Holl to the wicket. Rew Reed started to get on top of the bowlers with some nice shots but when he perished caught in the deep for 21 Boxgrove were under pressure especially as the bowling was so tight. Holl then took his score up to 14 and Barrett was beginning to looking assured but then Boxgrove suffered a double blow. Firstly Barrett was clean bowled by Dave Banks for 5 then Holl followed caught at backwards point going for a ridiculous sweep shot. Still, that meant that the crowd got what they came for as the returning JC took guard. After calming the situation with a number of solid if unspectacular overs, supported ably by his younger partner Lewis Donnovan, Chamberlain suddenly cut loose and displayed an impressive array of shots that had his team mates wondering whether he might just lead the team to what had been looking an increasingly unlikely victory. Donnovan was doing well but he was caught and bowled for 7, however the way that Wardley celebrated should keep Donnovan warm at night as he obviously saw it as a vital wicket (either than or Wardley was mightily relieved not to drop the ball!).

Matt Langton strode purposefully to the wicket knowing that a few lusty blows might secure a memorable win but he was soon on his way back having been bowled by Wardley for 0 and Bugden soon followed also for a duck as he was given out plumb LBW. Suddenly Boxgrove, having just passed 100, looked extremely vulnerable and when JC was bowled around his legs for an impressive 28 Lavant knew that they only needed one more wicket for victory with McGeough and Mant at the wicket and 10 balls in which to do it. Hearts were in mouths at this stage and as Banks ran in to Mant it looked to be all over as he edged it behind to the keeper first ball but he fumbled and what seemed a simple chance was gone as the ball rolled to the boundary for 4. More entertainment was to come as Mant’s second ball was a Chinese cut just past the stumps for 4. That was more than McGeough could stand as he marched down the wicket to deliver a lecture on the art of defence according to the Prof. It seemed to work as Mant played an impeccable forward defensive shot next up but on the last ball of the over he threw caution to the wind and went for the big one. It cleared the infield but despite McGeough’s plea to stay where he was Manty was having none of it as he ran the first and then there seemed a lifelong hesitation before the second was taken to try and get McGeough on strike. The throw came in and it was a close call on the run out but the pair survived meaning there was just one over to go. McGeough (0 not out) saw out the last over with minimum fuss as he and Manty (10 not out) secured what was a nervy but ultimately well earned draw.

Lavant 153-8 (Bugden 2-19, Langton 2-20, Thorpe 1-13, Mant 1-18, McGeough 1-22, Reed 1-31)

Boxgrove 119-9 (Chamberlain 28, Reed 21, Holl 14, Mant 10 not out)

Match drawn”