Sunday 29th May 2005 vs Arkley C.C.
 
IRON CRAGOE LEADS WASH
 
Arkley C.C. 139
Washington C.C. 141-6
 
By Richard Jones

A ‘Mighty’ 50 from Paul Irons, a good all-round bowling performance and the determined batting of opener Mathew Cragoe lead the ‘Nandoo’s O2 Centre’ Washington Cricket club to a 4 wicket win over Arkley CC. Cragoe 33 not out carried his bat in an inspirational performance to ensure the 140 run target was reached.

Arkley won the toss of Sunday’s match and decided to bat 1st on a challenging wicket. The Washington’s Peter Kloss (1-16) soon claimed the opening wicket in a spell including four impressive maidens. Kloss was supported by both Gary Crooks (0-27) who bowled a treat and the lanky Richard Jones (0-27).

After twenty overs Arkley had move their total onto 1-66, the introduction of the spin twins Eric Stoughton (3-33) and skipper Gurney (2-22) bought immediate results. Stoughton claimed the wicket of Arkley’s top scorer Spellance (41). The Washington’s dominant bowling was reflected in the field, culminating in a run out involving eight fielding players.

As always John Roche maintained a high standard of keeping including a stumping, whilst Brown and Crocks both took a couple of catches. The final rites of the Arkley innings were delivered by Gary Malcolm (3-9), who snared the key wicket of Townsend for 38. Arkley were all out in the 39th over for 139.

Following the tea interval Captain Justin Gurney leading from the front and Cragoe opened the Washington’s reply. Gurney (6) calmly deposited the first ball he faced for six; however this proved to be his only scoring shot as he was then bowled by Bollers. Steven Brown (9) continued the fast scoring tempo, stroking two effortless fours before mistiming a handsome drive and being caught with the score at 26.

This brought Paul Irons (51) to the wicket, who produced an innings full of his usual array of shots. He regularly dispatched the ball to the fence (6 in total), while twice striking two mighty sixes. Cragoe continued all the while to compile his match winning innings, regularly finding the gaps and rotating the strike with Irons.

The fall of Irons’ wicket to Knappett following a 76 run partnership with Cragoe, sent a jitter through the Wash’s batting line up. Jones (1) fell soon afterwards, followed by David Mazza (3), caught and bowled to provide Knappett (2-23) with his second wicket.

The result still in the balance until Roche (7) shared in a 27 run partnership with Cragoe to see the Wash within sight of the winning post. Enter Crocks (4 no) who confidently hit the winning runs. The day belonged to Cragoe backed up by a superb Washington team performance.

Skipper Justin Gurney commenting “Mathew and Paul both produced top notch innings, whilst all of the bowlers performed well”. After Sunday’s result the Washington CC head into June on the back of a good win and with a number of intriguing fixtures ahead.

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Batting
Player Runs How out
Matthew Cragoe 33* 
Justin Gurney 6 Bowled
Steve Brown 9 Caught
Paul Irons 51 Caught
Richard Jones 1 Caught
Dave Mazza 3 Caught
John Roche 7 Bowled
Gary Crooks 4* 
Did Not Bat
Peter Kloss
Gary Malcolm
Eric Stoughton
Partnerships
Wkt Runs Batsmen
1 13 Matthew Cragoe  &  Justin Gurney
2 13 Matthew Cragoe  &  Steve Brown
3 76 Matthew Cragoe  &  Paul Irons
4 3 Matthew Cragoe  &  Richard Jones
5 9 Matthew Cragoe  &  Dave Mazza
6 23 Matthew Cragoe  &  John Roche
7 4 * Matthew Cragoe  &  Gary Crooks



Fielding
Player Cts Wkt Cts Stmps
Steve Brown 2 - -
Gary Crooks 2 - -
John Roche - - 1
Bowling
Player Overs Mdns Runs Wkts
Justin Gurney 8.0 1 22 2
Peter Kloss 8.0 4 16 1
Gary Malcolm 3.0 0 9 3
Eric Stoughton 7.0 0 33 3
Richard Jones 8.0 2 27 0
Gary Crooks 5.0 0 27 0
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