Sunday May 17, 2009

Sunday 26th April 2009 v Highgate Irregulars (Home)

Fulmer v Highgate Irregulars Lost by 2 runs

As Fulmer’s players arrived at St George’s Field for the first home Sunday game of the season, amid glorious spring sunshine, it became apparent that all the hard work put into the square over the winter (the lion’s share by curator Paul Colloff) had paid off handsomely, with the wicket feeling firm and looking like a belter for bat and ball alike. The stage was set. 

Highgate, playing Fulmer for the first, but hopefully not last, time, won the toss and duly elected to bat. This decision looked to be vindicated, as, following the loss of one opener to a Nick Box slower ball, the second wicket partnership put on 91 runs, with the number 2 batsman making a fluent 95. 

Thankfully for Fulmer, the brakes were applied by Shyam Pushpanath bowling accurate leg-spin and Dave Paddon’s second spell, each picking up three wickets. Sharp and committed work in the field eventually saw Fulmer restrict the opposition to 189-8 from their 40 overs, when at one stage (129-1) they had looked set for a much bigger total. 

With a strong batting line-up, the mood at tea was positive as the sun continued to firm up the pitch in favour of the batsmen.

However, it was to prove a frustrating case of several getting starts (Jamie King 11, Nick Box 22, Shyam Pushpanath 19) without going on to bigger scores. Therefore, whilst the run rate was moving along well, wickets seemed to fall at regular intervals. It was left to Tony King (38) and Mark Denness (also 38) to steady the ship, and in the latter’s case to again shepherd the lower middle order towards Highgate’s total. Indeed, with five overs to go, and Mark still at the crease the momentum seemed to be with Fulmer for the final assault on the required 190. However, his departure signalled a frantic scramble for the final 30-odd runs, with Phil Mison (14) and Dave Paddon (10) adding important contributions. 

In summation, a very tight game played in an excellent spirit by all concerned, and Fulmer could count themselves perhaps a tad unlucky to have finished up on the wrong side of the result.