1st Team - Windhill (A) - 5th May 2007

Esholt met Windhill at Busy Lane in confident mood but were fully aware that anything less than a good performance could lead to disaster (as nearly happened in last year's home fixture). On a gloriously warm summer's day, having lost the toss, captain Richard Whitehurst was surprisingly asked to bat.

 

On a white, flat, hard batting track, a young Windhill attack set about their days work in positive fashion putting the ball in good areas and asking questions of Esholts opening pair, Whitehurst and Carter. It wasn't until the fifth over that a boundary was struck. Despite their slow start, it was clear from early on that Wiggy and PC were determined to make the most of good batting conditions. The pair's patience and determination eventually saw the score beginning to rise at a steady yet consistent pace. An excellent stand of 122 was somewhat surprisingly broken when PC missed one round his legs and was stumped. PC departed for yet another well-made 36. Whitehurst was joined at the wicket by the rotund King.

 

With these two athletes at the wicket, the score continued to rise at a steady pace until the skipper, in sight of his ton, timed one too well and was caught at deep mid wicket. A fantastic innings had come to an end only 5 runs short of what would have been a well deserved century. Ben Platt came and went without worrying the scorers too much. King was joined at the wicket by ‘old man Bashir'. The pair set about a wilting Windhill attack with zest and proceeded to add an entertaining 97 in 14 overs. With the score on 262 - 3, old man Bashir went for one shot too many off the bowling of his old foe ‘brother' Mazza Bhatti. King followed shortly after having taken his old club for 85 well made runs. The scene was now set for the abrasive batting of Noddy Hanif. He plundered a quick fire 27 and was out off the last ball of the innings with the Esholt total at an impressive 325 - 8.

 

Esholt set about the second innings knowing the game was all but won, however with 5 bowling points on offer there was still plenty to play for. On a flat deck and against a resolute Windhill top order, the Esholt bowling attack was made to work extremely hard for every wicket. It became apparent very early on, that Windhills only aim was to earn themselves a batting point or 2. With Sunday's cup game in the back of his mind, Skipper Whitehurst elected to bowl his bowlers in short bursts, even managing to find a few overs for himself. While the score book will show Robin Hill 4 - 41 and Ben Lister 3 - 24 were the most successful of the bowlers, it should not be forgotten that Noddy Hanif 0 - 12 from 7 overs bowled with remarkable discipline and Ben Platt 1 - 38 who found turn and bounce were equally as important on the day. Windhill eventually tottered to an uneventful 131 - 9 thus gaining an all-important batting point.

 

The final word this week goes to the old stager Tony Brassington, who at the age of 117 turned out for the 2nd XI and reaffirmed the saying that “form is temporary, class is permanent!” Tony despite his years, top scored with 75. (The 1st XI beckons!)

 

Thanks to the author of this report who prefers to remain anonymous. Still!!!