3rdTeam - Meanwood - 5th May 2007
Two wins out of two…many people (probably about 6) were starting to take note of the Esholt juggernaut. However, the good start to the season would mean nothing if they couldn't beat a Meanwood side that had also started the season with two wins. This task was also going to prove even more difficult given that the bowling attack was depleted due to the absences of Taffy and Andy Barker.
Coops made it 3 out of 3 with the toss and decided to field, a decision that was supported by the increased points opportunity and a pitch that with a bit of luck, could prove a tester for the Meanwood batsmen. Coops opened up the match with a solid first over then Dipper bowled a strange second over. In an over that included a no ball beamer, a four, a six, Dipper then managed to bowl out John Wayne after he attempted a third cross bat slog in a row.
Meanwood then put on 34 for the second wicket with their no.3 looking particularly handy. Then two wickets in quick succession swung the match back into Esholt's favour. Callum took the first with a whispered appeal that the Umpire took pity upon and gave their lad out LBW. Coops followed this up by dismissing their no. 3 who after looking initially quite settled and dangerous was becoming frustrated and got himself out flashing and the catch was taken on the boundary by Ben Holden.
Little partnerships here and there and a good knock of 57 by a lad who enjoyed talking us through his cowboy innings whilst he was batting, helped Meanwood to 148-5 at drinks. This is when the spin twins of messrs Newbury and Burnham ‘turned' the screw after an inspired bowling change from skipper Coops. In an excellent combined spell, Meanwood were all out for 177, Newbury taken 3-13 and Burnham 2-14. Esholt also had the luxury of taking 15 of their overs so the state of play was 178 to win for Esholt off 60 overs.
Things didn't go immediately to plan for Esholt, losing Callum early as he attempted to drive a straight one which made a mess of his stumps. Shortly afterward following a couple of decent shots, Dipper followed Callum back to the pavilion/container. Then some decent batting from Rick Morton (31) and Ben Bryan (28), batting together again after their run out mishap the week before helped steady the ship.
This took the score to around 110-3, plenty of overs left with only 68 needed to win. Buckers was batting nicely until he nicked one to the keeper. The only person in the ground who didn't hear it was the umpire who turned down the blood curdling appeals of the Blazin Squad…sorry, Meanwood fielders. In a truly sporting gesture, Buckers then purposefully left a straight one and it was game back on. Burnie came and went leaving Ben Holden and John McDonough to nudge and nurdle their way closer to the total.
Meanwood were watching the game slip away from them and started giving it plenty of chelp. One lad with a tartan cap and his socks tucked in referred to ‘everyone from Esholt are inbreds'. Hmmm, perhaps one should be looking at ones self in the mirror…
Anyway, back to the action and a flurry of boundaries near the end of the match including a superb cover drive to seal the win from Ben Holden meant that Esholt maintained their 100% record. Onto New Farnley next week…who knows what this team can do this season if they can play so well with a depleted bowling attack.