Friday May 28, 2010

Sunday 16th May 2010 v Checkendon (Home)

Fulmer 99-3 v Checkendon 105 Match abandoned as a Draw

In keeping with the miserable spring weather to date, rain robbed Fulmer of certain victory against an under-strength Checkendon. Heavy rain after tea forced both teams from the field with Fulmer needing just a couple more boundaries to record an easy win. Although conditions improved about an hour later, Checkendon were long gone once the draw had been called.  

Our foes from across the border in Oxfordshire have proved doughty opponents in recent seasons on their own patch, but fielding just 10 players there was little hint of things to come as play got underway in light, intermittent drizzle. Fulmer won the toss and opted to field. The ball was keeping low, the light was far from great and the outfield damp as our opponents made a cautious but steady start.  

In fact it took a stroke of brilliance from ‘keeper Uzair to make the breakthrough. Opening the attack Ali and Paddon had not caused too many alarms until Uz broke the stumps in a flash with an underarm throw from behind the stumps, just as the opener fatally lifted his back heel. A fine – and correct decision from the square leg umpire, got Fulmer up and running.  

Only Checkendon’s No.4 (36) showed real threat, swiping Pads for six and four upon striding to the middle, before launching the same bowler high over the pavilion. Simple catches were pouched by Danny Randall and Mr.Box snr. and his son stopped more than a few boundary strokes out on the fence. Ali returned 3-19 from 10 tight overs and Mark Denness tidied up the innings in short order with 3-6. Pads took the brunt of Checkendon’s belligerence with 2-62 from 9 overs while also tossing in a few head high beamers! 

On the run chase Nicky Box struck the first 3 deliveries to the fence, then instantly fell edging another wide one to slip. Uzair flat-batted his first ball back past the bowler with disdain, but in all too familiar fashion gave it away soon after, while Danny was clean bowled for a duck. Mark Denness carried his bat and joined by the elegant Osman victory quickly seemed a formality until the heavens opened and the strip became too dangerous to continue. The fielding award went to Danny Randall for saving us a lot of runs by throwing his body in front of the ball and taking a very solid catch.