1sts back to winning ways, and Kayos is King for a day
Match reports for Sat 7th and Sunday 8th July 2018.
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Preston 1st XI v Totteridge Millhillians 2nd XI, SHCL Div 2A
Preston got straight back to winning ways thanks to a thumping 9 wicket victory over Totteridge Millhillians 2’s in Herts Division 2A.
Not surprisingly Preston were asked to bowl first on another scorching day, and with a good batting surface and a lightning quick outfield they made an excellent start reducing the visitors to 34 for 4 by the 15th over. Veteran seamer Mark Waters (10/4/14/4) proved his class and included the vital dismissal of Aussie run machine Tim Smith second ball of the game. Some excellent ground fielding and catching saw Preston pick up wickets at regular intervals reducing Totteridge to 54 for 7 by the 27th over. However, for the second week running the lower order proved more than useful with the bat adding 37 runs for the 8th , 39 for the 9th and 42 for the 10th wicket. Preston finally dismissed the visitors in the 45th over for a below par 163 all out with slow bowlers Pete Murrell (10/2/16/1) Dave Fleckney (5/0/17/2) and Max Anderson (7.2/0/36/3) picking up the remaining wickets to fall.
Preston set about their run chase in effortless fashion with Lewis Balcombe (27) and James Stevens adding 69 for the 1st wicket. The removal of Balcombe saw Jack Stevens (31*) combine with his twin to take Preston to the brink of victory, adding 86 runs until Jack unfortunately had to retire with an injury. It was left to George Biggs (7*) in combination with James Stevens who batted beautifully for 82* to guide Preston home to a comprehensive victory in the 35th over.
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Preston 2nd XI v Hatfield & Crusaders, SHCL Div 5A
Preston’s Saturday 2nd XI lost at Hatfield & Crusaders by 94 runs. Casey Hughes and Ollie Gallimore took early wickets as Hatfield, on winning the toss, were restricted to 44-2 from the first 17 overs. Gallimore, in particular, bowled with great accuracy, conceding just four singles in a remarkable spell of 10-7-1-4. A third wicket partnership of 132 was enough to set up victory for Hatfield though as opener Kalaskar went on to make 116, with support from Singh (67), and the middle order thrashed some tired bowling in the heat of the afternoon. Casey Walker’s 3-50 deserved better figures and, although more catches were dropped than held, generally the side kept going well in very trying circumstances.
A target of 262 for victory demanded a strong start and Will Mercer (20) and Alf Rehman (41) made good progress, but from 94-2, with Tom Chambers making a calm 28, the middle order lost wickets regularly and it was left to Iain Williamson (35*) to guide the tail toward a couple more bonus points and an eventual total of 167 all out.
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Preston 3rd XI v Old Minchendenians, SHCL Div 9B
Stand-in skipper Swampy won the toss on a baking hot day at Whitwell and barely had the coin hit the concrete-like wicket before he asked the Old Minchendenians to field first. LHS and newly returned John Garnham opened up and it was immediately clear that the outfield was lightening quick. However, the wicket had a bit of uneven bounce as LHS was undone by one that died on him to be bowled. Garnham, after a couple of drops, was soon back to his old self and hit 50, and he found support from first the in-form Callum Blair and then James Skirrow,. Skirrow was caught somehow at short cover by a guy who had spent the last 90 minutes mis-fielding everything and wearing black trainers. Preston were reduced to 135-6 as Garnham was caught behind, Luke Ponder was caught at square-leg and Swampy got a ball which jumped off a length to glove behind. Fortunately some intelligent batting from Bhav (supported by Harper) and some lusty blows from wicketkeeper Pierce achieved a respectable 206-8 off their 50 overs.
Swampy and Bhav opened up but for once, both struggled to find swing and Preston failed to cling on to early chances. The only wicket in the first 20 overs going to Bhav following a well judged catch by Blair. LHS was bought into the attack on and turned the ball square, with balls being called wide having pitched in-line with the stumps. If anything, LHS turned it too much for the edge to ever be found. Skirrow/Poldark then produced an all-or-nothing spell roaring (sometimes literally) down the hill and bowling ten overs on the bounce. He was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 42 and on another day could have taken 5 wickets. Alex Williamson at the other end also bowled tidily. In the end, Preston could only take 5 wickets with the visitors winning in the 45th over.
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Preston Sunday 1st XI v Harrold, Beds League Div 1
A hot day and the fact the skipper was late, the opening batsman were getting some snacks from the co-op and everyone was a bit dusty from the night before, it was a crucial toss to win. Luckily Wilson was there and called correctly, batting first. After chewing down some darts Max opened up with LHS, neither troubling the scorers much, setting the trend for the innings. Cal came and went, before Gambo stepped to the crease for a hatrick ball which he late cut through the 6 slips for 4. Shortly after he was out, along with LHS. Wilson then stepped to the crease, that thing between his ears yet again had a malfunction and the ball before drinks he was caught at mid off trying to hit it to Melbourne: 5/45 at drinks. The vacationers B. Hill and Balco then put on a quick 30, mainly led by Ben’s 22, before he was out blocking it back to the bowler nicely. Then the main attraction of the day waddled onto the pitch, took leg and you could just sense that it was this mans day. David “kayos” Kay was instrumental in yet another big partnership, the legend himself contributed 19 to a 65 run partnership before following in Ben’s footsteps and testing the bowlers catching ability. Kroney then joined Balco for another 30 odd last wicket partnership before being bowled for 0. Balco was left on 78, hitting more sixes than he’s dreamed of on a ground that can only be described as a postage stamp, that extra stone he has put on is really coming in handy. So we were bowled out for 167, with 10 men and sinking a record amount of Coors Lights the night before, we’ll take that.
Now to the hard part, fielding. After some delicious chicken wings at the break the hands were a bit slippery, the one man this shouldn’t effect (the keeper) Will Mercer went on to spill a few early. It didn’t cost us much though as they raced to 120/0 off 16. Special mention to Ben Hill who took the new ball, he’s a good trier I’d say. We finally picked up a wicket thanks to Muz and followed by one for Max but then yet again Kayos just said “jump on my back boys” and bowled their Northants Prem player for 89 and pointed him in the direction of the pavilion before swiftly taking the middle stump of the next man in. They eventually passed us 4 down with a lot of overs to spare. Unfortunately another loss but all there got to witness Kayos have an absolute day out. Long live King Kayos.