Catford Cyphers
2nd XI vs Ashford 2nd XI
Notable performances:
S. Browne 73; J Pym 53, K. Arasaratnam 5/39, A. Benedict 3/18
Welcome back Catford and Cyphers 2nd XI!
A bit more of the determination shown by us last year encapsulated this superb all round performance to register our first league win of the season. Thoroughly enjoyable it was to be part of a team with so much more enthusiasm than preceding weeks. Long may it last!
Another good team batting performance registered what was probably a par score of 250 on this wicket in 48 overs, with Gunders declaring with his pads on and just him left to bat. Selwyn top scored again with a well made 73, with most (but not all!) of the line up contributing. Well done especially to 2nd XI debutants Duncan Holmes and Adrian McCaffrey.
The bowling effort was determined and focussed with everyone concentrating on the job in hand of bowling the opposition out, with no-one moaning about this or that and undermining team spirit. All the bowlers stuck to a good line and length on another good batting track and the consequent building of pressure took the wickets for us. We maybe felt the day was going to go our way straight away as Selwyn took a sharp chance on the second attempt at first slip. This was followed by a good diving effort at short leg by Sasi. Catches really do win matches, and these two were great examples of why. The whole team was then lifted and the taking of the next 8 wickets then became a smidgen more than a formality. Ashford opener J. Pym batted in determined fashion for his 53, but was beaten by an inducker from Anthony B. Indeed Anthony was rewarded for bowling straight with 3 wickets, Karthik with his combination of accurate off-cutters and straighter ones with a fifer, and Adrian contributing well by taking 2 middle order wickets, to take 10 wickets in just over 40 of the 52 overs.
So guys, we’ve started the climb up the table to where I believe we rightfully belong.. at the top! More performances like this, and it won’t be long before we’re knocking on the door at least. Let’s not relax, keep pushing and justify our talent!
Rohit Pratap
23.06.03