Match Reports 2013

2nd XI Win Again 

M arshfield’s 2nd teams impressive mid season form continued with their 5th win from the last 6 fixtures. For various reasons the squad that arrived at the Swindon venue was very different to the one initially selected the previous Monday but both spirits and hopes were high as the pitch was confirmed to be of a good standard and according to Els “a road”.

Skipper Wayne did his part, won the toss and elected to make first use of said road. The inform Andy Jenkins and “pinch hitter” Finn Weston opened the innings and this combo briskly moved the score into the 30’s before Finn was defeated by a sharp in swinger. 

The long/extra long length of the grass in the outfield was turning 4’s into 2’s and the chattering Marshfield experts sunning themselves beyond the boundary rope confirmed to one another that this would mean a score of 150 should be defendable.

Sadly the home umpire decided to get more involved in the game at this stage and removed Andy Jenkins for 6 with a decision that shocked the home side almost as much as Andy and his team mates. Rob Isles and Callum Burnstone played some nice shots that got tangled in the outfield “cabbage” and their knocks of 4 and 8 respectively were worth more than double that. The inform skipper again batted well and had moved efficiently onto 36 before being given out “Leg Before Fresh Air” by the digit happy home ump.

This left Marshfield in a slightly dodgy looking position of 111-5 with 20 over’s to go and “on paper” quite a long tail. Cue messers Elliot and Smith who batted brilliantly for the 6th wicket, mixing up quick singles with some “jungle avoiding” lusty ariel shots that moved the score well past the defendable target set earlier and thanks to a last ball boundary from Els onto a final score of 202 and maximum batting points.

Nationwide had not used any spinners in their attack and so Wayne took a bit of a gamble by opening the bowling with Gary Hodder but was rewarded for his faith in the youngster when one Nationwide opener was straight back in the “hutch” without scoring and 11 over’s later the home side were in disarray at 23 for 4. Hodder and Cox continued to stifle the batsmen and bowled through their over’s leaving Nationwide needing over 7 runs an over to claim victory.

The “spin twins” of Callum and Rory stepped into the attack and set about mesmerising the home sides batting, taking 5 wickets between them at regular intervals. Charlie Chivers interrupted their performance with a superb piece of fielding to run out Woolston by 21 yards.

Man of the match Andy Elliott took his third catch of the day with the score on 126 to end the home side’s innings and give victory to the men form Broadleys by 76 runs.

A special mention for Mike Threadgill who kindly stepped in at the last minute to complete the team and who gave a very impressive performance in the gulley, saving at least 10 runs with outstanding diving stops and winning the Champagne Moment of the day award for his “flick on assist” that went straight to Matt Cox at point to get rid of the home sides most dangerous batsman.

Gary Hodder

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