|
David Gluckman reporting. This is always one of the most eagerly awaited fixtures in the Wash calendar and Sunday at Rothamsted, with George Hope (209 the day before) playing for the Bush and Pete Grzonka back in the fold, made for a potentially explosive encounter. Great day, lots of WAGS and kids in attendance, and the delightful prospect of a Nick Threlfall curried egg tea at the interval. All set fair for a great day.
Hill won the toss for the Wash, and no doubt wary of the ‘Hope effect’ chose to field. The key strike came in the 5th over with Hope hit on the pad by a full toss, slips and keeper went up in unison and the deadly finger of Grzonka was raised in agreement. Out. There were some rumblings about an inside edge, all graceful and good natured, but the book said ‘lbw Hill’ and thereafter life got tough for the Bush. Wash bowling was tight and the fielding brilliant, with two superb run outs by Wroe and San Jose, the latter a direct hit from 40 yards. Kloss, Hill and Butcher all returned excellent figures and the highlight of the latter part of the Bush innings was a fine spell (2-20) by Russell Pendry. The Bush were saved from an embarrassingly low score by a gritty knock from Peter Barder and some cultured hitting by No. 11, Sam Clarke. But 122 would be tough to defend in 40 overs.
The Bush started in fiery manner with Coco Minnis uprooting Aff Naseem’s middle stump with the score on 2. Pete Demetri and Al Wroe consolidated the position against hostile bowling and took the score to 34 before all hell let loose. Hope bowled Demetri for 18 and Minnis accounted for Davies and Holt in 3 balls leaving the Wash reeling at 35-4. But skipper Hill joined Wroe and they took the score to within 1 of victory through steady batting. Roe managed to get out in pursuit of an average, some said, but with 54 maintained his record of scoring 50 + on all three occasions that he has played for the Wash. Man of the Match: Russell Pendry
|
