Sunday 1 September 2024
Woking & Horsell CC 217-7 (35 overs)
SCCC 174 all out (33 overs)
Woking won by 43 runs
35 over match
Woking won the toss
Scorecard 

Paul Bridges writes:

What a beautiful day for the last game of the season, sun shining, 27 degrees, a gentle breeze and respectable spectator numbers, more than could be said for Lord’s.

A good mix of youth and experience took the field with a couple the strays coming back into the fold with Stu H-S, Andy Rayner, Tom Leonard and Paul Bridges back and ready to go.

But….not for the first or, lets face it, not for the 100th time, skipper for the day Scotty turned up late, missed the toss (which Goss lost) and into the field we went.

Pace bowling from Gibbo and Leonard keep the young lads of Woking in check initially with a thin edge and fine catch behind the stumps by Ware off of Leonard bowling to start the ball rolling 24-1. There followed a period of tidy bowling but steady scoring without troubling the wickets column from Gibbo (5 overs for 31) Goss (7 overs for 42) and Stu H-S (7 overs for 42). Then a run out (Leonard/Ware combo), a significant change in the bowling pace, with wickets in the hutch and the 35 over game meaning bolder shots came to the fore.  Up stepped Andy R (4 overs, 1 for 25) and Bridges (6 overs, 2 for 43), back went the fielders and wickets came – two superb catches from Leonard in the deep and the deadly straight one from Andy bringing in Woking’s tail.

Then the incident packed final over, with the second delivery being hit into the deep and dropping between Stu’s outstretched arms and the boundary rope rolling over for a 4, the fourth ball being smashed very high with Stu seemingly ready underneath then Leonard (who had been on fire) running into to take the catch but failing to use his hands and instead using his eye! On came the medic, ice and retirement to the bar and the final ball was stroked along the ground with call of 2, Scotty with a fantastic pick up, turn and throw to the bowlers end and off went the bails to secure the second run out of the session.

Tea was taken and after many grumbles about how hot it was, out strode Roland and James Grinders to chase 217.

Woking’s bowling was to a very high Sunday standard throughout – strong defence was required so Roland (19) used the edge of his bat with great skill. James G (4) fell victim to a fantastic catch in the slips.  Hugh waddled out, smacked 4,4,2 and glided back, Goss (5) was unlucky to get one that took off like a Starlink rocket and was even more unlucky to be good enough to edge it. Some stability returned when Andy R (30) and Scotty (60) joined forces, both somewhat overlooking the customs Sunday cricket and smashing the 12 year olds in all directions. Karma’s retribution was swift with a quick single resulting in a dodgy hamstring for Andy. Ware (11) bellowed and flashed with great vigour, saving the middle of his bat for 2025 before playing on.

The one eyed Leonard put down his ice pack and bravely donned his pads, I guess the doctor would have been pleased as his one eye lit up with a slow ball and he was caught at mid-on.  His ice pack back on but not alone anymore – he now has the honour of looking after Ricky (duck teddy) for the whole winter. With the run rate now at over 10, Gibbo (2), Stu (2) and Bridges (14no) went in, swung the bat and mostly missed.

A fairly convincing loss but a fine day with all involved.

Winter well everyone.

Scoreboard at Woking 2024
Tom with Ricky at Woking 2024