Wednesday April 28, 2010

Saturday 24th April 2010 v Taplow (Away)

Taplow 146-3 bt Fulmer 145 by 7 wickets 

Fulmer were very much second best in the delightful setting of Taplow’s ground as they went down to their first defeat of the season. Not enough runs on the board after electing to bat first against a very strong bowling attack made a big ask of Fulmer on another glorious early summer’s day.

 We travelled knowing this would be a tough fixture. Taplow have a fine pool of players and manage to field three sides. Many in their selection were in fact warming up for league action the following week, and the difference in age and ability was all too apparent. 

However, after the early loss of opener Randall, Mark Denness and Nigel Field both displayed an ability to score heavily this season. Fulmer advanced at four an over to be reasonably placed at 104-2 as Nigel lost concentration and holed out to point with a nothing sort of shot, with Mark soon following lbw. Both were out in the mid-30’s as only four batsmen made double figures and Fulmer subsided rather tamely for just 145.

 Taplow’s ground is a big outfield to defend. The bowling attack was a shade unlucky not to make an early breakthrough, with Mark in particular deserving better. A couple of catches went down along with a routine stumping missed, but the fielders remained on their toes in trying to contain the home side as best they could. 

The match was played in fine spirit and Fulmer’s commitment never in doubt – not least when in vain pursuit of another Taplow boundary a head-first dive over the fence into thick undergrowth by Mr Denness drew gasps of appreciation from the team (quickly followed by derision). 

Captain Tony King kindly kept his gallivanting tales of following Fulham through Europe this Spring to a minimum (Turin, Wolfsburg and Hamburg to date) and Taplow duly wrapped up the win with more than ten overs to spare. Plenty of time at least for Fulmer to lean on the bar and enjoy Taplow’s subscription to Sky Sports. 

Fielding award on the day after some debate was given to Shyam, who contributed to a run out and also made the journey out from London by train with his wife. Commitment that should be a lesson for us all!