Sunday 14th May 2006 vs North Middlesex IV C.C.
 
Washington wobble, but come out on top
 
North Middlesex IV C.C. 85
Washington C.C. 87-5
 

Peter Kloss reporting.

Washington CC, taking their name from the Washington pub in Belsize Park, beat North Middlesex 4ths on Sunday. No one was quite sure who was the home side, Washington having booked the pitch, but playing against the usual home team, a replacement for the intended opponents who were unable to field a side.

 

North Midds batted first on a difficult early season pitch. The bounce was low on the soft wicket and the ball did not come on to the bat at all – front foot play was highly recommended.

 

Despite the conditions North Midds started well, racing to 41 for 1 from the first 10 overs against bowlers Kloss (2-18), Jones (2-12) and Tidey R (0-20). However then Bock (0-9) and Hill put the brakes on the scoring which slowed to a trickle and wickets fell as a result of the pressure. Pace man Hill bowled particularly well. He was forced to cut his speed due to the slippery footholes, but this proved to be advantageous. He was able to bowl at the stumps more often with the ball rising less than usual. Hill gave a superb exhibition of seam bowling, beating the bat on numerous occasions and ending with excellent figures of 7 overs, 3 maidens, 5 runs and 3 wickets.

 

At the other end skipper Gurney was toiling away with his leg spin and once he found his length had significant success ending with 2-16. North Midds did well to use all the 35 overs, the final wicket falling on the last ball; they ended at 85 all out

 

Following a sumptuous tea, the Washington batsmen took the crease. However, any thought that this was going to be a formality quickly disappeared as Irons (1), Campbell (6), Nasseem (6) and Tidey R (3) all departed quickly against some very accurate North Midds bowling. One under 15 youngster, Barnard was particularly impressive turning in figures of 4-17 with his seam bowling. At 38 for 4 Washington looked to be in some difficulty.

 

However as the wickets had fallen, Harris (43) remained resolute at the other end. He demonstrated that getting on the front foot and striking through the line of the ball was the way to play. It was a shame that he couldn’t turn his form into a well-deserved half century. Harris was out bowled with the score on 66, and then Hitchcock (15) and Hill (10) batted confidently for 4 overs to see Washington home with 15 overs to spare. Washington had wobbled briefly but to their credit had stabilised to win comfortably.

 

Washington captain Gurney said after the game “A good win for us. Harris showed how to bat sensibly on that strip, and it was really good to see Hill grab a few wickets. I hope to see some other strong individual performances in the coming weeks”.

 

Man of Match: Hill for an excellent spell of accurate seam bowling

 

Packing the Kit: Irons for being promoted up the order only to fail second ball

 

Washington: Campbell, Irons, Harris, Nasseem, Tidey R, Hitchcock (+), Hill, Gurney(c), Bock, Kloss, Jones

top   back
Batting
Player Runs How out
Donald Campbell 6 Caught
Paul Irons 1 Bowled
Tony Harris 43 Bowled
Aff Naseem 6 Bowled
Robert Tidey 3 Caught
Brad Hitchcock 15* 
Shawn Hill 10* 
Did Not Bat
Justin Gurney
Marty Bock
Peter Kloss
Richard Jones
Partnerships
Wkt Runs Batsmen
1 2 Donald Campbell  &  Paul Irons
2 8 Donald Campbell  &  Tony Harris
3 21 Tony Harris  &  Aff Naseem
4 13 Tony Harris  &  Robert Tidey
5 32 Tony Harris  &  Brad Hitchcock
6 8 * Brad Hitchcock  &  Shawn Hill



Fielding
Player Cts Wkt Cts Stmps
Marty Bock 1 - -
Brad Hitchcock - 1 1
Richard Jones 1 - -
Bowling
Player Overs Mdns Runs Wkts
Justin Gurney 7.0 2 16 2
Marty Bock 5.0 0 9 0
Robert Tidey 3.0 0 20 0
Peter Kloss 7.0 1 18 2
Richard Jones 6.0 3 12 2
Shawn Hill 7.0 3 5 3
Top