Match Report

First XI vs Malpas

“Are we there yet?” Are we there yet?” Are we there yet?” Eventually we were.

The journey, unlike Molly’s trousers, was not short. However, arriving in Malpas, which is a glorious part of the world in any one’s money, to sunshine and a fine straw coloured wicket helped ease the travel sickness and the onset of deep vein thrombosis.

Malpas won the toss and unsurprisingly elected to have first poke on what looked a batter's dream. Malpas had embarrassed the Barns’ in a the reverse fixture. A very young team, missing Molloy and Saddington, took the field keen to avenge the earlier defeat.

Dirk Dunley took the new cherry along with Mike “the Berksonator” Berks. Dunley removed Fernando for a first baller with the score on 5 in the first over. Both bowlers kept things tight to begin with and Dunley got his second reward as he got the hapless Coates to finally nick one behind the sticks to Dan Atkinson on debut.  8 for 2. John Lennon sang about instant Karma, however, it was Dunley who got Suckley first as his polls were flattened first ball. There was no point hanging around this time. 8 for 3.

The dangerous Ricketts had hung about for a while without managing to convince. A rush of blood resulted in him throwing his hands through the ball and Grandpa Wood managed to creak down to snaffle a sharp chance at wide mid off. 19 for 4 and Malpas were on the ropes.

There was no let up from either Berks or Dunley who bowled a number of skin tight overs. However, a determined Barlow along with Hunt, who had put Barns to the sword at home, started out on a patch up job.

However, it took a great catch by Dan “Atko” Atkinson – Hunt had managed to middle it whilst shouldering arms – off Dunley for his fifth for Barns to reassert themselves. 46 for 5. Stubbs lasted a matter of minutes, surviving a big shout first ball, padding up to a straight one. Younger was bowled by another Dunley jaffer to leave Malpas in absolute tatters at 50 for 7 – the boy Nannes with 7 wickets (29^th of the season) and a shot at all 10.

The newly introduced Murphy – replacing Berks – got straight into a decent rhythm – and managed to end Barlow’s (30) doughty resistance nipping one through the gate in his 5^th over.

Dunley was spent and was replaced by Berks, who picked up a deserved wicket (22^nd of the season) when he induced a little snick from Majulagama which was pouched again by the impressive Atkinson.  When Murphy trapped Mason dead in front, Malpas were all out for just 72 runs.

Dunley bowled superbly and took 7 for 48 from 16 overs. In truth, he was well supported by Berks (1 for 18 from 11 overs) and Murphy who returned excellent figures of 2 for 3 from 6.1 overs.

The teams turned round and, as per usual, Barns’ did not make the task of chasing down a small total easy at all.

Filson and Cooper opened up and it wasn’t long before Filson was back in the hutch holing out on the cover boundary to Hunt’s dibbles and dobbles. 9 for 1. Cooper was joined by Warner and the former looked in decent nick, working the ball around. Warner however nicked one behind from the lively Goldsmith and when Stubbs was carelessly stumped by Ricketts, the Barns were jittering. Shortly after, Cooper was pinned in front by an excellent in nipper from Goldsmith. At 24 for 4, the swarm of wasps which had been engulfing the changing rooms were seemingly replaced by vultures. Iqbal was then run out for 5 leaving Barns further in the mire at 35 for 5.

This brought Jordan “Officer Hightower” Collins to the wicket. Once again he got his head down along with his captain as they set about picking off the runs on what remained a very good pitch. They moved the score on to 62 with few scares and it was a complete surprise when slow left armer Mason snuck one through Collins’ defences. A vital knock of 12 in a partnership of 27.

It was left to Wood (17 not out) and Dunley (6 not out) to knock off the remaining runs without alarm and pick up the 25 points.

This was a fantastic result by a very young side. Dunley was superb and was ably supported by Berks and Murphy. Atkinson looked good behind the stumps. The fielding was generally sharp and energetic. There will be some tough selection decisions on Monday!

Highlights:

Dunley: 16-4-48-7

Berks: 11-4-18-1

Murphy: 6.1-4-3-2

Wood 17*

Cooper 14

Collins 12