Match Report - Bures vs. Long Melford 10/08/03

Long Melford 139 for 9 (35 overs)

Bures 140 for 8 (35 overs)

Bures won by 2 wickets.

(With thanks to The Skipper for the match report)

Fantastic friendly, blisteringly hot weather. Skipper Chambers agreed 35 overs but lost the toss and so we were sent to the desert. They got a good start, 30 off 4 and then McKenna & Chambers found their line and slowed the pace of the game. Si dropped a sitter in over 3 off CJC and Bugbee misjudged a catch in the same over. Then J. Lee and C. Ayers took good catches returning two frontline batters to the pavilion. McKenna produced a powerful throw with rifle accuracy from deep extra cover dismissing another with a direct hit of the stumps (must have thought he was reaching for the condoms - Ed). The afternoon was getting hotter and so was our enthusiasm.  Some intelligent bowling from Lee Norton who demonstrated his ability to bowl line and length and not rely on speed which was sadly not the case with James Lee and Joe Bugner, the latter however taking a wicket and celebrating with his characteristic air punch! Their good humoured innings closed at 139 for 9 and Bures were game on.

Delicious guest appearance tea by Theresa and Carol who bowled a googly with deep chocolate brownies. The home side were red hot from the field and drank greedily on their tea and squash and invited Melford to feast on their cakes. Unlike Bures, Melford had not noticed the subtle reverse swing as two plates of chocolate brownies went to their table. Ben Cropper & James Lee opened the proceedings, both aggressively and we had 45 after only 6 overs. Both batted well, Ben with great style. A rush of blood saw Ben caught at slip and James followed shortly afterwards to an identical shot, 18 & 28 respectively. Enter Chris Ayers who swatted 54 quickly and ran The Skipper out hitting the ball straight to a fielder and calling one. Needless to say The Skip. was back in the pavilion. Enter Messrs. Sills, hearty 12, Mitch stodgy but useful 4, useless McKenna, and penultimate but no means anti-penultimate, Buggerbee. Needless to say, Skipper Chambers' rear end was beginning to twitch, Bures were on the verge of defeat, only 10 required off 4 overs. Hooray, Buggerbee 10 not out and Dutton still padded up in the pavilion! Victory and dehydration for Bures!

Great cricket and we drank at the pace of a potato irrigation pump until the absent Mr. Slow's credit in The Bells & The Swan was exhausted. And I gather that takes a bit of doing.................

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