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Tanfield v Masham

MatchDivision 1Start 18:30Finish 21:00
When PlayedWednesday 6 July 2011Sheet sent in byMASHAM
ResultTanfield win
Innings of TanfieldPoints gained 4
Batsman's NameHow OutBowlerRuns
AbleBowledBroadley (jnr)3
HodgekinsonRetired (Not Out)53
AbleRetired (Not Out)50
FarronCaught & BowledSmart4
AitkinBowledSmart0
WilkinsonNot Out6
HodgesonBowledSmart0
StainthorpeNot Out3
Clarke
Luty
Extras8
TOTAL127
Innings of MashamPoints gained 0
Batsman's NameHow OutBowlerRuns
FalshawCaughtLuty0
BuchananaCaughtClarke23
SmartBowledClarke41
CoombesStumpedClarke1
Jones (jnr)CaughtClarke13
McCourt (jnr)StumpedClarke3
Broadley (jnr)CaughtLuty5
MetcalfeNot Out6
Gill (jnr)CaughtHodgekinson0
ChristianNot Out1
McCourt
Extras6
TOTAL99
Tanfield Bowling Analysis
BowlerOMRW
Luty51111
Hodgeson40200
Clarke50235
Hodgekinson60421
Masham Bowling Analysis
BowlerOMRW
Broadley61211
Gill50380
Buchananan10120
Christian20280
Smart40113
Jones20140

Match Report/Information

An all-star Masham team was assembled for the lower table clash at the Slenningford Oval against Tanfield. Cock-a-hoop with last week's victory, Masham took the field after skipper Hodgeson elected to bat on a damp track. Sticking to the pre-season game plan Masham's junior bowling attack set to. Broadley was miserly, Gill a little short. Even so, it was hardly a disasterous opening spell. James Able must be fed-up seeing Broadley opening the bowling although he managed to exist 3 balls longer in this match than when the two adversaries previously met. Hodgkinson and Sam Able accelerated against the change bowling of an out of form Buchanan and Christian whose occasional delivery troubed the Tanfield batsmen. Unfortunately, Masham's confidence had blurred into complacency, concentration waned as up-beat banter turned to silliness, catches were dropped, hands were in pockets, chins went down. Veteran McCourt showed-up some of his younger team mates with fielding of the highest standard, yet the clowning around continued. Coco and Grimaldi never made it as cricketers. A reluctant Smart bowled four overs to stem the tide but it isn't what Wednesdays are about. Tanfield finished on an achieveable 127 with half-centurions Hodgkinson and Able given a couple of lives and a handful of extra runs each.

At the change-over, Smart asked his team for an improved second half. Slightly more than a run-a-ball was the required rate but Luty's nagging length had Flashaw in all sorts of trouble until a friendly half-tracker at the end the first over made Flash forget that he had 20 overs to play if he wanted them. Turning down an opportunity to fill his boots he slapped it straight to Hodgkinson at cover. Buchanan was meanwhile being watchful and joined by Smart they managed to up the run rate which was always within an over of Tanfield's score. Buchanan succumbed to Clarke's tempters with 23 from 39 balls and Smart played a mostly ugly 41 from 41 before suffering the same fate. The only highlight of the partnership was an all-run four which saw both thirty-somethings gasping for air and Buchanan several pounds lighter. A quick Coombes cameo brought in-form Jones to the crease, a shot-laden 9 from 9 kept the board ticking over but the innings was running out of steam. Bailey McCourt staked a claim for another call-up playing some great shots but was unable to pierce the field. Masham finished 30ish runs short and were left wondering what might have been. Unfair criticism of the captain ensued but maybe that was a tacit suggestion that Masham hadn't been good enough to win tonight without Smart opening the bowling. I'd disagree. But some folk have all the answers.

With a big match next week against Spennithorne there will be some tough selection decisions to be made. Time, maybe, that Masham return to the blend of positivity and ability that doesn't spill-over into complacency and silliness. The travelling faithful don't want to see Billy Smart's circus.

Sent: Thursday Jul 7 2011 9:17PM