Ley Hill vs Fulmer, 22nd June 2003

Will Holman

Paul Green's Sunday outfit was unusually strong, containing a decent number of experienced league players, as well as Green himself.

Fulmer raced away to an excellent start, with openers Randall and Pedley giving the impression that the Fixtures Secretary had made a terrible blunder in matching the sides together. Southpaw Randall in particular showed some very attractive shots, but after seasoned campaigner Jon Lown took his wicket, Ley Hill's attack seriously slowed the visitors' run rate. Kevin Phillips was rather the worse for wear, but he took a series of wickets with some frankly terrible deliveries. Most incredibly, Ian Webb took two excellent and important catches, as Fulmer's score stuttered along to 196 for 8 at tea.

The target was a reasonable ask for openers Keith Strickland (right) and Will Holman to move towards, especially playing on the track nearest the road. The bowling from Patel and Paddon was nothing spectacular, but the openers moved off to a modest start, with just the odd expansive blow moving Hill along. Holman in particular was labouring under an excessive consumption of fondant fancies at tea. Soon wily veteran Strickland found his feet, dispatching a series of crushing blows as he accelerated past the 50 mark. Holman, digestive system now kicking into action, moved on to 35 with some clinical off-side shots, before glancing behind to the keeper. Strickland followed soon after, but the ranks of home supporters need not have worried, with Ian Webb and Paul Humphreys both defying the form guide to post decent contributions.

The asking rate of six-an-over was always within Ley Hill's reach, but there were fears that the lower order would prove to be too weak. Moving into this pressure-cooker situation, star colt Jake Wells made a mockery of the visitors' attack, smashing an excellent 18 in the same time that Jon Lown hit seven. Stuart Clarke also notched six, to show that the Under-14s colts side has several players that are already a match for seniors' cricket. They were certainly a match for Fulmer, guiding the hosts home just in the nick of time.

Fulmer: 196 for 8 (Phillips 4 for 43)
Ley Hill: 198 for 7 (Strickland 60, W Holman 35)
Ley Hill won by 3 wickets

Man of the Match: Keith Strickland's 60 led the way - but it was Jake Wells who guided our boys home.
Clown of the Match: No clowns in a very sound team performance.
 

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