“For the second time in a week Boxgrove travelled to Singleton to meet their old foes in a limited over contest, this time keen to get revenge for their midweek defeat that saw the holders knocked out of the Downland Cup. In terms of team news the exact same eleven was named despite suggestions that we seem to play better with 9 or 10 men. 

Singleton won the toss and chose to bat but they were possibly soon regretting that decision as Boxgrove’s opening bowlers tore into their opponents. After a hostile first over from Ben Gottesman it was Kevin “The Prof” McGeough who struck first to get Steve Doel caught by the statuesque Wayne Barrett for a duck. Gottesman continued to charge in and it was an absolute beauty that did for Martin Davies who was bowled leg stump for just 5. At this stage Boxgrove tails were up as the hosts wobbled on 12 for 2 off of 9 overs with Gottesman having figures of 1 for 3 off of 5 overs. Then came the key moment of the game as Gottesman’s slower ball deceived Singleton skipper Tim Robinson but the huge LBW shout was turned down. Boxgrove heads then seemed to drop and Robinson took full advantage lacing in to the attack en route to a quick ire fifty.

It was all change with the bowling attack as Thorpe turned to Rew Auto Services pair Rewby and Clubber and it was the latter who struck a double blow for the visitors. First Langton enticed Glenn Stanford (25) into a skied drive that Rew Reed defied logic to chase at full tilt around the boundary to pull off a stunning catch and then he clean bowled his bunny Tim Robinson for exactly 50 (two dismissals of the Singleton skipper in a week isn’t half bad!). If the spectators thought that Boxgrove would run through their hosts they were much mistaken however as Symonds and Baker rolled back the years with an excellent partnership that rescued Singleton. It took a good ball from Paul Mant to remove Baker caught by Holl for 31 and then “Fruit” followed up by removed Stuckey aka Bollywood for a duck. Still Symonds piled onwards and hitting some towering sixes he passed fifty as Singleton went through the 200 barrier. Symonds was eventually out for an excellent 74 caught behind off of Thorpe who makes a habit out of getting Symo but it was a job well done for the Singleton stalwart (rumours that he later failed a drug test are true but it has been covered up by the Singleton management). There was still time for Mant to pick up his third wicket, that of Ward (2) caught smartly by Reed as the Singleton innings ended on 213-8.

Trying to put what might have been to the back of their minds, and no doubt grateful that they missed Kevin’s master class on how to hold a bat, openers Thorpe and Reed went about trying to secure Boxgrove’s first Sunday win at Singleton for 11 years. It was tough going though and at 10 overs the score was 21 for no loss. The plan to get to 20 overs without casualty was working however until Reed was out caught miraculously by Baker in the deep off Ward for 12. That brought in form Tom Vinnicombe to the wicket as the scoreboard showed 62 for 1 off of 20 overs.

The fifty partnership was brought up as Thorpe opened up and took on the Singleton bowlers with an array of shots. In so doing he passed 12,000 runs for the club but just when Boxgrove started to look like they might be on course after all he hit a rising shot straight to Williams and was out for an impressive 91. Holl joined Vinnicombe knowing that the pressure was well and truly on but after seeing Vinnicome hit a monster six Boxgrove then lost three wickets with the score on 131. First Vinnicombe was run out for 18, then Holl was bowled for 5 going for the big one and then Abbott went for a duck superbly caught by Hall. All the time the run rate was rising but with Ben Gottesman striding out next all was not lost.

Gottesman looked in form but fell to Davies caught by Doel for 7 and the writing was on the wall for Boxgrove at Singleton yet again. Langton soon followed back to the pavilion after being bowled for 0 and it was then left to Barrett (14 not out) and Ockwell (2 not out) to see out the remaining overs as Boxgrove ended up 59 runs short. Chris Perry (8-1-43-4), Davis (5-1-7-1) and Williams (6-5-4-0) were the pick of the Singleton bowlers.

Singleton 213 for 8 off of 40 overs (Mant 3-35, Langton 2-32, Gottesman 1-16, McGeough 1-28, Thorpe 1-43)

Boxgrove 154 for 7 off of 40 overs (Thorpe 91, Vinnicombe 18, Barrett 14 not out)”