Detail: 03-06-2007 -

Result:
v Odiham

Aidan Liddell
Tom Ellen
Alan Porter
Ben Appleton
Steve Metson
Dean Wilson
Nick Clark
Marcus Jansa
Tom Rooke
Tim Clark
Richard Clark

Match Report

The Blues finally hit on a day without rain to play Odiham - a usually keenly contested game and this year was no different! Fielding a strong looking side packed with allrounders Skipper Aidan won the toss and put the Blues in to bat on a hot afternoon for an agreed 40 overs game,feeling that the Blues tend to bat better first up and recover from any hangovers quicker relaxing in the shade of the pavilion.
However when Marcus Jansa was bowled off an inside edge for a duck misgivings appeared.However he need not have worried as Steve "Mr Reliable" Metson started to find the middle of his bat in Patnership with Dean Wilson who was himself showing sublime timing and placement to dispatch the ball effortlessly to the boundaries.Steve departed for 36 useful runs with the score on 71.Dean continued to exude class and was joined by Richard Clark who showed his stickability while feeling his way into the new season.Dean departed to a good catch with the score on 110 having scored an impressive 43.Joining Richie at the crease was Ben Appleton who struggled a bit on a pitch showing variable bounce.
Ben was out caught for 15 and Aidan joined Richie to help push the score along.Richie was out caught chasing runs for an excellent 45 and Aidan hit a quickfire 33 joined by Tom Ellen who scored a fast 26 to push the total towards 250.Nick Clark and Tom Rooke (5 and 2 not out respectively) closed the Innings at 244.Hopes of a higher total were tempered by the slowness of the wicket.
After the excellent tea Tom Rooke (down the hill at some pace) and Tom Ellen (manfully toiling up the hill) provided an excellent opening attack keeping the score down and hopes up.Alan Porter was being sorely tested (literally) by the uneven bounce and some early Blues rustiness in the field.Fortunately some younger legs chased the ball down in a slow outfield to keep things evenly matched.
With the total creeping up Tom Ellen produced an excellent delivery to Bowl one of the openers and Tom Rooke not to be outdone was given an LBW decision to remove the lively looking No 3 bat.The young no.4 however looked to be taking the match beyond the Blues with some powerful hitting prompting the unusual decision to retire of the other opener on 40.Perhaps he thought others would score more quickly but in fact he was a good steadying influence that proved sorely in absence thereafter!The Blues had useful spells from Tim Clark (economical and unlucky - 4 overs for 20) and Nick Clark (pacy with 4 overs for 36). Ben Appleton bowled well at pace in his first spell before being persuaded (not altogether reluctantly) to bowl spin in an attempt to strangle the runs as the score mounted.
Cometh the hour,cometh the man and up stepped Marcus Jansa hitherto known more for his batting than his bowling.Having transformed from an occasional seamer to a very useful left arm spinner with occasional dramatic turn, he bowled Odihams star batsman (on 72)to bring the Blues back into the match.Taking three wickets for 24 runs in 5 great overs he turned the match on its head and put the Blues in a winning position provided they kept their heads in the field.Ben Appleton (8 overs for 60 with 1 wicket)chipped in with a wicket off his spin as Odiham ran out of time to finish on 235 leaving the Blues victorious once again (3 in a row).
A top display from all involved again and more depth of talent found within the Blues ranks!
We are still short for next week so put yourself down if you want to play please - or let Tom or myself (Aidan) know.

[updated 30 Jul 18]