Ley Hill 2nds v Cadmore End 2nds, Saturday 3 May 2003

Tom Holman

Chris Jones’ Saturday second eleven began the season in dramatic style with a thrilling one-wicket win over Cadmore End Seconds.  

Cadmore batted first and raced to 110 for 3 thanks to some rusty bowling from the Hill attack. A new slim-line Brian Puddephatt, who earlier in the day had emphasised his allegiance to the Ley Hill cause by spending £85 on some much-needed new cricket kit, then took charge, grabbing 4 for 40 with an excellent display of seam bowling off his usual two pace run-up. Veteran David Viney, off his usual 50 yard run-up, chipped in with 3 for 37 and Paul Green (pictured) added 2 for 35 as Cadmore subsided to 132 all out.

Faced with a dozen overs before tea, Hill lost wicket-keeper Paul Humphreys, who fell to the second ball of the innings and again proved that he is out of his depth at second team level. Skipper Chris Jones followed him back to the hutch, but promising colt Andrew Viney then steadied the ship before tea. Wickets fell in quick succession after Ma Green’s magnificent spread of corned beef sandwiches and Wagon Wheels, but Puddephatt then smashed a rapid 22 and Keith Richardson called on his many years of experience to chip in with 27. But with Hill finding increasingly inventive ways of getting out, the cause looked lost at 97 for 9, especially when number eleven Paul Green strode to the crease. But Green was in no mood to concede defeat, and hung on with his trademark forward defensives and paddles round the corner. Viney contributed 21 not out with some good clean hitting, and he and Green nudged Hill closer to the target. A succession of wides from an unfortunate Cadmore bowler brought the scores level, before Green scampered the winning run to finish on 11 not out. A heroic innings, celebrated in style by Green with a round of Diet Cokes at the bar.
 

Cadmore End: 132 all out (Puddephatt 4 for 40, D Viney 3 for 37, Green 2 for 35)
Ley Hill: 133 for 9 (Richardson 27, Puddephatt 22, D Viney 21*, Green 11*)

Man of the match: Paul Green, for his role in a heroic last wicket stand
Clown of the match: No clowns in this excellent team performance

Click here for the scorecard