Chorleywood Sunday 2nd's
Northwood v Chorleywood
Mappy + Tweaky shine in low-key draw
The most anticipated game of the season fizzled out into an
unfortunate draw. So many match ups were being touted before the game
with ex-Chorleywood bowler Woodward turning out for Northwood plus 6
players all in the same year at the same university squaring up. The
only change to the team was Tweaky Tipping who has impressed with his
bowling this season coming in for Wiley.
Northwood batted first on a scorching day with a rejuvenated
Blackmore leading the way after 2 previous scores in the week. It
looked like his form may continue as he quietly saw off the opening
bowling with Sosman being unlucky bowling a couple of jaffa's which
were too good for anyone. Dixon was quite happy to let Dean take the
attack to us when they passed 50 with Dean scoring 37 of those runs.
When Nigel made his first change he brought Tristan "Tweaky"
into the attack, which proved to be inspired. The change of pace
slowed the scoring down at that end whilst when Junior came on at the
other Blackmore took him apart with 37 runs coming off his 4 overs.
Mappy reached his 50 and Northwood looked set for a big score before
Tweaky clipped Dixon's off-stump and the breakthrough had been made.
However once Dean had passed 50 he then really started to go about the
Chorleywood attack, anything pitched up was driving for 4 or clipped
through midwicket, his 2nd 50 came in around 30 odd balls
and was a joy to watch, in the next over Luigi came in after taking
some stick but in his 3rd over after being driven for 4
consecutive 4's Dean clipped one to Mid wicket where Tonka held a
superb catch, to finish a top innings of 116 off 116 balls.
A vital breakthrough which 'Wood capitalized on, Tweaky bowled
superbly and after he had their skipper caught at square leg by Sosman
first ball and then bowling the next rabbit and then tempting Warren
down the track to have Ruskin whip the bails off. With Danny cleaning
up a couple of ferrets at the other end 'wood had averted a potential
disaster and stifled the batting, the biggest decision of the day was
then taken when their skipper kept us out in the filed until 5.00pm
with over 220 on the board meaning victory for 'wood looked unlikely,
however it did give Tweaky a chance to snaffle the other Warren when
he skied one to Sosman and Northwood finally declared on 228 for 8
What you don't need batting 2nd chasing 228 is to be
15-2 with Woodward still to bowl, which unfortunately we were when
Smoky nicked one to Ash at 1st slip and Swilly steered one
to 2nd slip. This bought in the 2 form men at the moment
Tigger and Luigi. Tigger looked like he was on for a big score with a
couple of lovely pulls and cuts but after crashing Salim the next ball
he was through the shot too early and the bowler took a sharp return
catch. Cue the best match-up of the day when Sosman strode to the
crease and Woodward started warming up. From 60-3 Sosman and Luigi
started playing some superb shots, Sosman taking most of Woodwards
bowling while Luigi took apart the spinner from the other end, with
Northwood's best bowler taken out of the attack when Ash departed
after 5 overs for 24 including a superb square drive by Sosman the
match drifted to a draw, even when Sosman (38) and Luigi (47) were
both out in quick succession with 8 overs remaining and Woodward back
into the attack Rilstone and Ruskin saw 'wood through to a very
honorable draw with some tidy strokes leaving Ash his first 0 for
plenty game of the season.
A disappointing end as an earlier declaration could of made the
game so much more interesting but 'wood can be happy with the
performance and even wonder what would of happened if Dean had fell
early doors. Tweaky bowled superbly with 5-45 off 15 which included
loop, spin and guile and with Dean's superb ton and another few decent
knocks from 'Wood including another Luigi's jug avoidance and some
runs under Sosman's belt hopes are high again in the camp.
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