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Datchet
SLOUGH
Berkshire
SL3 9JW
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Match Report
Finchampstead 2
Date: | 13/06/2009 |
| Venue: | Home |
Jones Demolishes Finches!
Datchet played host to high flying Finchampstead on Saturday at the home of cricket, which looked resplendent with its new entrance and picket fencing. Preparations did not begin well with some late arrivals including the captain following an impromptu drinking session on the Friday evening. But it would be the late comers who would prove key on the day.
Having won the toss Nick Tilley elected to bat, partly because of the flat wicket and friendly batting conditions, but mainly because he feared a fielding session at this point would be his last on this earth. It proved to be the right decision and makeshift opener Luke Shepherd (19) struck several boundaries in the early overs before being distracted by a straight one which cart-wheeled his off stump.
Pensioner George began the innings as he would complete it with a flurry of leaves and soon raced on to 5*. The early loss of Shepherd bought first Adam Jones and later Arun Oram to the wicket, both of whom continued to supplement George’s rock like innings – which reminded many of Chris Tavare in his pomp.
When Oram was dismissed Along Came (Tom) Jones who made his way out to the wicket across the Green, Green Grass of Home like an excitable rhino. It’s Not Unusual for Jones to play in an aggressive manner but he set about the Finchampstead attack with great ferocity. He raced to 50 and was particularly savage on Finchampstead’s overseas who had bowled several sides out with his leg-spin in previous weeks. When Jones reached his maiden league 100 George had progressed to 47 well crafted runs. It was a strange partnership, as it appeared that the two batsmen were playing different formats of the game; one T20 the other Test cricket. When George was out Jones continued to plunder the bowling reaching 156 before the curtain came down on a thoroughly entertaining innings. The only question from his Datchet team mates were Why, Why, Why not more often. Datchet finally declared on 325 – 6 with Lancefield (24) and Tilley (24*) rounding off a good day with the bat.
Datchet decided to take the old ball and Tilley duly had Finchampstead’s opener Brogan caught behind in the third over. The Australian McInnes then batted with great fluency which bought about a host of bowling changes as the Datchet skipper sought to find the best bowling combination. Datchet were forced to take the new ball and Dick and Lambert set about two of the best spells of bowling they had produced this season. Lambert bowled with great pace and deserved much more from his endeavours (1-36). Dick faired better with lady luck (perhaps being a female she had taken offence to Lambert’s previous indisgressions with the fairer sex) claiming valuable wickets for Datchet. Dick’s efforts bought to the wicket the nemesis for many teams in the TVL - Gary Loveday, who seemed to be continuing his run of form. He and McInnes added 100 with few chances and a Datchet victory looked optimistic at best. But there was a glimmer of hope for Datchet when ‘golden arm’ Luke Shepherd bought about his demise, Shepherd was ably supported by the ever consistent James Dick who toiled for his (2-56).
Tilley and Dick then continued the onslaught picking up regular wickets. But at 7 wickets down with Finchampstead holding on for a draw the chance for 25 points seemed to have disappeared when several good appeals were turned down in quick succession. However, Tilley then produced a piece of magic bowling a batsmen around his legs and then Jones took a great catch off a Tilley googly to see Finchampstead 9 down. Dick (3-42) bowling the penultimate over took the 10th wicket to provide Datchet with a good victory.
The evening ended with a care in the community charity event with many of the first eleven players giving back to society by taking the evergreen George to Liquid in Windsor. The fact that he was able to get half price entry having shown his bus pass speaks volumes for his commitment to all things DCC. But in all seriousness the victory was set up by an excellent innings from Tom Jones which will not be bettered this season. The victory was all the more impressive as Datchet’s one man team (Alldis) was on holiday in Paris but is welcomed back for the visit to Chiswick & Latymer.
By NT
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