Saturday XI – Matfield Green (H)
Scorecard
Matfield Green visited the Old County Ground on Saturday for a timed game, and elected to bat first after winning the toss.
An early wicket for Ben Ramsay didn’t stem the flow of runs as Matfield were scoring at 7 an over, with the ten men of TMCC struggling. Simon Uttridge was brought on to take pace of the ball, with the right handed batsmen having to hit to the strategically placed long leg side boundary. Bill Calvert also bowled with good control from the other end.
After two batsmen retired with a hundred and a fifty, we began to tightening up the scoring and the latter half of the innings saw three wickets for Malcolm and a wicket for debutant Liam Smith. Matfield finished on 216-6 at tea.
With a high target to chase, TMCC started off the innings in explosive fashion scoring at 10 runs per over, before Richard Sims skied one to mid off for 16 from 11 balls. Liam Smith batted with the same intent and was dismissed in almost identical fashion for 12. After losing Andy Turner and Howard Alexander cheaply, Simon Uttridge continued to play his shots and was particularly strong playing over the top for his 37.
With 6 wickets down and 11 overs to go, TMCC needed 79 for victory. Al Ramsay looked steady, while Ben Ramsay was very keen to play aggressively. The target of 217 was out of reach after some tight bowling, but they both saw the game out with 40* and 32* respectively.
A creditable draw considering we were a man short and were chasing the ball a lot in near 35 degree heat.
Sunday XI
Details to follow…
Sunday Development XI – Bells Yew Green (A)
Scorecard
A very successful game made it 2 wins from 2 games this season for the development Sunday Friendly XI.
The game begun with first time captain, Bill Calvert, tentatively deciding to field first on a very hot day; after correctly calling tails at the toss. Things started well with opening bowlers, Al Ramsay and Alex Stone, restricting the flow of runs. The change bowlers then came on and made our first two breakthroughs: Ben Ramsay bouncing out their number two, who looped the ball to Owen Jenner at square leg; then Owen followed the catch up with a caught and bowled in the very next over. After this the batting team rebuilt and were going along nicely until the spin duo, Bill Calvert and Simon Uttridge, came on and both took a wicket a piece to stall Bells Yew Green’s batting effort. The innings continued at a steady pace after this and they posted a respectable 192-5 in their 35 overs; the only other wicket to fall being a skilful direct hit run out from Thomas Lenham in one of the closing overs.
Unusually all 11 TMCC players had a bowl, the very hot afternoon sun necessitating lots of bowling changes; which likely cased the scores to curse the novice TMCC captain! This was made possible because keepers Josh Ramsay and Toby Armstrong were behind the stumps for half the innings each. Other than the two keepers (at 10 and 11 in the batting order) everyone contributed with the bat as well as the ball.
The TMCC run chase began well, with a solid start from openers Simon Uttridge and Ben Armstrong. Unfortunately they departed in quick succession; meaning our number 4, Thomas Lenham, walked out to the crease. Tom steadied the ship and then, with the help of good contributions from all other batsmen around him, drove it home full speed ahead with a superb 96*; taking us to a great win with 2 and a half overs (and 3 wickets) to spare.
This game showed that TMCC should be in great shape going forward with such talented and successful young players waiting in the wings. One of whom (our undoubted man of the match) must surely end up being the best value fantasy pick of the season! Overall an excellent game with both teams playing in a great spirit.