Saturday July 11, 2009

Flackwell Heath v Fulmer Sunday July 5th

Flackwell Heath 145 lost to Fulmer 149-3 by 7 wkts

With Saturday’s home game cancelled there was just one outing for the club over the weekend, as captain Derek Randall led the convoy by the scenic route from KGF up to Flackwell Heath. 

The recent hot weather and lack of rain had done the home ground no favours, but the track behaved well enough as Fulmer cruised to one of their easiest wins of the season. 

Winning the toss and inserting the opposition, Flackwell’s openers both went cheaply to injudicious strokes, followed in short order by an unnecessary run-out. The wickets were spread among the bowlers as a young and inexperienced Flackwell side subsided to 98-8. Only some dogged defence by their young number 11 and strong driving from the number 10 (top scoring with 32) got them up to a semi-respectable total. 

In reply Danny Jackson was quickly into his stride with a flurry of boundaries before seeing his timbers rattled for 23. Despite his recent good form Derek struggled against the opening bowlers, making just 10 to leave Fulmer 56-2. Phil Mison then joined Keith Madigan in the middle and the two really started enjoying themselves as the opening bowlers came off. 

With plenty of half-trackers on offer, the 50 partnership came up in quick time, Keith striking 18 in one over before being bowled on 39. Phil kept up the momentum however, striking eight boundaries in his season-best knock of 44 not out to see Fulmer over the line with time to spare. 

Having lost a number of players since last summer let’s hope Flackwell manage to rebuild in time for a more even contest next time we meet.

But another win in the Fulmer record books – always welcome – as we have every chance of ending the 2009 season with a winning balance.