Bladon vs Holton & Wheatley
Sunday 26 April 2009
Original Report by Neil Robinson
slightly edited.
The last Sunday in April is normally the day we start our season and it is usually marked by cold, winds and rain. The weather lulled us into a false sense of security initially, but reverted to form as the day progressed.
This week, we welcomed a new South African all rounder based in Wheately, Gerrie Fourie. We also had the services of Dave Williams on loan from Richard Denner XI.
Gerrie Fourie, about to drive his first boundary for Holton through mid off.
This was Guy Burford’s baptism of captaincy, marked by Bladon winning the toss, and deciding to bat in a 35 overs game. Early batting was steady without being spectacular, but the arrival of the number six bat, Hambridge the younger, changed all this, and he proved he could hit just about anything he desired, going on to make 94 not out, with Bladon’s total a respectable 235 after 35 overs.
The best bowling figures were achieved by debutant Gerrie Fourie with 7 overs 1 maiden, 3 for 35. Mark Deacon, Neil Robinson and Alan Banyard each took a wicket.
H&WCC’s innings never looked like getting near this total, although we were ahead of the Bladon run rate for the first half dozen overs, and we were all out for 135 after 34 overs. Several batsmen got going, notably John Simpson 39, Dave Williams 22, Mark Deacon 20, and Gerrie Fourie 15.
Chairman's summary
It's been a tough start to the season with some players absent, however we have two promising new players in Gerrie Fourie who played today and Mark Fenn who performed well against Horspath last week. If we can get them both in the side, plus another new player we've been speaking to, we expect to get back into winning ways very soon.
