Ley Hill v Chesham Bois, 24th May 2003
Nick Lee
Ley Hill were the guests of local rivals Chesham Bois for this Mid Bucks league game. Boasting an old, but experienced side, captain Jon Lown was hopeful of a good result against newly-promoted Bois.
Hill lost the toss and, predictably after a week of rain, were inserted on a greenish wicket. Unfortunately, Bois opener Vanduvenbode was unable to take advantage of the conditions or indeed pitch the ball in the batsman's half and was duly dispatched for 20 runs in his two overs. By contrast, in his first bowl since July 2002, former wicketkeeper Ringsell was the model of economy completing a 12 over spell for just 19 runs. This did not stop Hill openers, Rennard and Lown putting on 76 for the first wicket and Hill no. 3 Curtis from ruing his decision not to open.
On
46 and eyeing another half century, the sight of yet another full toss was too
much for Rennard and he deposited it tamely into the hands of Bois captain
Ashwell at short midwicket. The fall of a wicket and the introduction of
Ashwell's canny off spin put a brake on the Hill scoring rate to the extent that
just 20 runs came from the next 10 overs. In this time, Curtis, Brewer and
Leadbitter fell trying to break the shackles.
However, by now Lown had reached his 50 and, breaking the tradition of creeping on to be not out 65 at the end of the 45 overs, he launched a withering assault on the Bois attack. A series of boundaries came from Lown's scything blade as Hill upped the run rate with Lee carefully rotating the strike to keep his pumped-up skipper on strike. Lown eventually perished for 76, bringing "Jumbo" Stewart to the wicket for the frantic last overs. A combination of lusty blows and sprightly running left Hill on 189 for 5 at the end of the innings and Jumbo in need of oxygen to go with his cakes at tea.
The
Bois innings started disastrously with the top three perishing to some testing
seam bowling by Helm and O'Neill within four overs. Bois consolidated through
Turnham and that man Ringsell, and were well positioned to challenge Hill's
total at 85 for 3. However, the introduction of teenage sensation Ottaway put
an end to Bois' hopes as he dispatched Turnham and star batsman Ashwell in quick
succession. The remaining batsmen were no support for Ringsell, especially as
he was so knackered that he could barely swing the bat. Ottaway and big paceman
Thompson mopped up the tail with 3 and 4 wickets apiece to leave Bois all out
for 120 and deliver 25 points to the Hill cause.
Man of the
Match: Ringsell for single-handedly taking on the Hill
Clown of the
Match: Vanduvenbode for two overs that could have been bowled better by
Clare Short.