Detail: 20-05-2007 -


Result:
Slinfold - 20th May

Aidan Liddell
Mick Berry
Guy Freeman
Rob Baldwin
Nat Baldwin
Tom Rooke
Michael Corcoran
Chris Toomey
Ed Thomas + 1
An Other

Slinfold 188. The Blues 189/5. Won by 5 wickets

The Blues welcomed new Talent with Johnny Burt and Chris Toomey
joining the squad at Slinfold where eventually a strong looking team took to
the field and indeed 9 Bowlers were used in an excellent fielding display of
power cricket by the Blues.Mitch Corcoran assumed the role of Keeper as if
born to the job using his considerable vocal skills to great effect to keep
the Blues on their toes generally and the growing audience entertained in
the Pavilion(the arrival of El Presidente Royston Smith,former playing
legend Chris Weeks,John Hastings who kindly brought former Club Captain
Peter Hastings for a rare visit, adding weight to the numbers).

Ed Thomas opened the bowling down the fairly steep slope leaving
Tom Rooke to battle uphill from the other end.Tom Rooke motivated by having
locked out his girlfriend by pocketing both sets of house keys and needing
an early finish tore up the slope generating considerable pace taking 3
early wickets in typically ruthless fashion.Slinfold fielded 7 yougsters who
looked talented but not quite up to the early ferocity of a truly motivated
Tom Rooke bowling yards faster than anyone can remember!

Ed Thomas was steaming down the slope in his first match of the
season and eventually trapped their no 5 LBW to male it 4 for 46 and Tom
likely to save his relationship.However the older hands at Slinfold steadied
the ship as the total crept higher before new signing Johnny Burt with his
medium-fast swing bowled the dogged opener to keep the Blues in control.He
followed this with another key wicket with a second LBW (a rare event these
days).

Slinfold then steadied their ship as the Blues rotated the bowling
via an impressive spell from Guy Freeman who bowled an accurate pace up the
hill as did Mick Berry.Some rusty looking bowlers (Aidan and Alex Beales)
also failed to take wickets.Only a run out to confirm the Blues excellence
in the field helping the cause.

Slinfold somehow had got to 150 for 7, so if in doubt who better to
turn to than the Baldwins - Rob and son Nat - to finish off the
opposition.First Nat powered down the slope at pace clean bowling their no
7. Then the much underrated bowling of Rob Baldwin came on to polish off the
last 2 wickets with an excellent spell as Slinfold were all out for 188.

After an excellent tea Tom Rooke and Guy Freeman opened the batting
against some young fast bowlers who learned a hard lesson at the hands of
the mighty Freeman at his best.Hitting the ball extremely hard with superb
timing to all points the score rattled along while Tom Rooke was for once
outpaced. Blues openers achieved the first century opening partnership of
the season before Guy was caught literally on the boundary by one of the
youngsters one-handed falling over backwards.It was such a remarkable catch
no one was that bothered about the fact ha had probably fallen over the line
in the process! Guy had scored 89 of the 101 runs!! This was all achieved in
only 12 overs!

With such a start the pressure was off and useful contributions were
made by Tom Rooke (24), Mick Berry (19), and an excellent 32 not out from
the promising bat Chris Toomey.Cameos by Alex Beales (6) and Ed Thomas (9)
and Nat Baldwin (6 not out) finished off Slinfold as the Blues cruised to an
excellent 5 wicket win in some style with plenty of batting in reserve!

[updated 30 Jul 18]