With Captain Walker riding his bike down a
mountain in Scotland, last week's bowling hero, Scott Kinman-Pearmain
was elected Captain for the day. His first decision, heads or tails, was
correct and put Hardwicke in on a hard dry wicket.
The home team's openers started well with J. Rouse
racking up early runs, while the visitors bowlers struggled to find a
rhythm in the blustery conditions. T. Vincent was the first to fall,
caught by the juggling Uzzell at point. Pierce and Jellyman went cheaply
to the accurate Nash, Pierce to an excellent catch by the skipper. Burt
scored a spirited 17 before he became Nash's fourth victim. Nash
finishing with 4 for 54.Chapple bludgeoned 21, ably supported by
Hutchings (35) and with B. Rouse run out for 17 the tail-enders took the
score on to 159 all out in the 40th over. B. J. Fry finished with
figures of 8-0-23-3 for the visitors.
After tea, The Stanley openers of Groves and Fry
set about the Hardwicke bowlers, Hutchings and Vincent. Groves fell
first for 13 and Fry for 14 with the score at 53 from 10 overs. Gabb
(23) and Uzzell (19) tried to keep the scoring rate going but were
undone by the introduction of Kiwi, B. Rouse, who after disposing of the
skipper, found no other Stanley batsman a serious problem and finished
the innings at 134 all out in the 33rd over, with the impressive figures
of 10.5-3-28-5. Tyrone Vincent also finished with respectable figures of
6-0-19-2.
So Leonard Stanley were brought back down to earth
this week after beating the league champs the week before. Although this
was a weakened side, it was still felt that there was enough experienced
batsmen to surmount the Hardwicke total.
Thanks must go to the two League appointed Umpires
who, just by being there, make the day so much more enjoyable for the
two sides who don't have to do it themselves.
Paul Gabb
