A win and tie against Waldron in blazing May

Ed Hobbs reports on a stunning victory at the Park on Friday evening (9 May) as a dominant all round display from the home side saw FPCC draw first blood in the weekend’s double header against touring side Waldron. After winning the toss and electing to bat first (which by his own admission was genuinely Hobbs' only contribution in the match…) on a glorious sunny evening, openers Ewen Moore and Tim Mockridge put on a show for the spectators with a sensational century opening stand, on what was a very good wicket (well done Mark!). Tim made a valiant 30 and Ewen played a series of superb shots in a high class knock, and moving through the gears looked destined for a century before falling for 92 off only 51 balls! Henry Smith and Rich Green knocked it about in the final couple of overs to get us to a strong score of 177-2 off 20 overs.

Given the wicket was good the outfield fast we knew we needed a strong display in the field to defend this, and Waldron had a bunch of decent batters (watch out tomorrow!), but a canny opening spell from Bexi Harris yielded the crucial wicket of the Waldron skipper in the 4th over. After the breakthrough we witnessed a breathtaking spell of 8 overs which turned the match. 4 overs each of hostile pace and bounce from Jonny Belk and Rich Green in tandem - Waldron couldn’t handle us. Jonny picked up 3 big wickets and there were two run-outs after some excellent energy in the field , and very sharp keeping by Tom Pickford. In the fading light and with Waldron still over a hundred short of the target, it was left for the lesser-spotted Tim Jones to amble in for a couple of tidy overs to seal a very accomplished and well-deserved victory. Thanks to everyone for turning out and making it a great evening, in particular to Howard for running the bar.

Dan Brickell was skipper for the longer format contest the following day. He writes: After the previous night's rather one-sided 20/20 game the foolhardy Fonthill skipper one the toss and invited Waldron to bat first. Despite a tight opening spell from Malik Kudmany and Ben Allen, Malik bowling 5 overs for only 5 runs, wickets proved hard to come by. Moore and Catrinella came into the attack and again things were kept tight. The drinks break meant a change in tactics with Harris and Prior coming on to take the pace off the ball. The first breakthrough went to Prior and at that stage the score was 100 off 20 overs but the arrival of the Waldron number 3 completely changed the game. He proceeded to carve the Fonthill attack to all parts scoring 83 off only 39 balls. At this point I think it’s best to skip over the captains bowling figures. It was a chastening last 15 overs with the visitors eventually finishing on a huge 257. A hot and tired Fonthill team dragged themselves off the field for tea.

Tea proved rejuvenating with tactics and a strong top order providing some belief. Simon Prior and ex Waldonian Will Scott-Masson opened up and played gloriously for an opening stand on 78. Job 1 done - get a good start. Scott Masson departed with the score on 105. Cue a partnership of 132 for Moore and Brickell. Waldron were happy too see the back of Ewen as he blasted them into submission. When he fell stumped for 87 (from 51 balls) the score was 237 off 30 overs, with 21 more needed off 4.4 overs. Now things really started to get tight. Jones departed second ball. Then entered Peter Catarinella. Thing looked good and then Brickell panicked and chanced a single that was never there. Howard Smith entered the fray only to blast the first ball straight to cover (yes you have read this correctly). Next in was Malik to see out the 34th over leaving 9 required from the last over. Fonthill were desperate for a boundary from somewhere. Dot ball to start and then a pull across the line out to cow corner produced a mis-field. 4 required from 4. Singles from the next 3 were all we could manage. Malik was on strike for the last ball and produced a reverse sweep which the fielder cut off keeping it to a single.

And so after all that… 514 runs in the glorious Fonthill sun shine, the game was a tie. Thanks go to Leigh, Karen and Tobias for helping out. MM - the track was a belter. Tim requesting that you keep the outfield a little longer. A great game of cricket, enjoyed by all and will be remembered for a long time

Ed Hobbs and Dan Brickell

Pictures by Leigh Godfrey and Tom Mitchell