Washington Cricket Club - 40th Anniversary Year

A swashbuckling debut innings of 58 from Shawn Hill and a beautifully crafted 39 from opener Rob Tidey provided the foundation for a straightforward Washington victory on Sunday.

“We’re off to a flyer” said skipper Justin Gurney,

Washington took the field with three debutants and a new sponsor:  this year Washington’s shirts will bear Nando’s crest, the South African-based company a good match for Washington’s multi-national profile.

But it was the young Englishman, Tidey, who impressed in the early stages.  Still two weeks shy of his 15^th birthday, he overcame a difficult pitch, stroking the ball confidently into the covers and murdering anything hittable on the leg-side.

Tidey held the innings together as Wash lost early wickets: Matthew Cragoe (2), Paul Irons (9) and Taran Persaud (0) all succumbing.  With half the side out for 102, and Ludlow bowlers Pittwell (2-28) and Gayle (3-14) bowling well, the game was in the balance.

However, the appearance of Hill soon put a different complexion on matters. 

The ‘big missile’ has more to his game than simply smashing the ball over the boundary ropes – intelligent and well-run singles are always there in the mix – but it is the distinctive ‘crack’ his bat makes as he launches a ball into orbit that Washington hope to hear much more of this summer.

Gurney got in the act too, hitting some glorious shots as he raced to 32; and John Roche (2), Marty Bock (7), Richard Jones (6 not out) and Tom Allott (0 not out ) all chipped in to see Washington to 183-8 after 35 overs.

Ludlow’s reply began well, but good line and length bowling from Jones and Bock gradually strangled the home side’s run chase.  Bock picked up two wickets, as did Allott, courtesy of two fine catches by Gary Croft.

It all added to a good opening day for Washington.

Washington:  Gurney (c), Roche (+), Cragoe, Tidey, Irons, Persaud, Hill, Gurney, Bock, Jones, Allott, Crooks.

Nando’s Man of the Match:  Rob Tidey