Cricket: Thriller at Rye Gardens

Posted on July 21, 2008

After last weeks rallying call from Jones, he certainly got the response he wanted in this thriller with local rivals Soulbury. The fact that the match was also played in a great spirit was a credit to the captains (Stopp of Soulbory and Kerins, Norris & Peacock for the Bray).

Great to see Will Caughie back in his whites and spend some time in the middle although his gloves still have traces of blood on them and in dropping a catch he managed to avoid the ball hitting him on the head for the first time ever!

Batting first, Bray got off to a flyer with Norris hitting 64 and Peacock a rapid 35 before that man Stopp claimed both wickets to put the brakes on. Bray lost their way a little and ended up 162 all out of the final ball, Coughtrey running out Jake Barker scanderlously off the final ball.

The scorer and tea lady, Judy Stopp, started off claiming to be neutral, although as the game progressed it became more and more evident that she was routing for the visitors. Allegations of doctoring the scorebook, at this time, remain unproven, although statisticians are continuing their investigations.

Kerins & Coughtrey kept it tight but the introduction of the extra pace of Peacock caused the openers problems, and the breakthrough came when DC gloved a vicious bouncer through to the keeper. Coughtey picked up an lbw and Peacock got a wicket from a long hop!

That brought in Stopp (Yes at number 5!!!). He took an age to get there, got heavily sledged in the process and then Peacock sent his off stump cartwheeling out the ground 1st ball!!! The scorer then entered the fray, giving Peacock a slap across the face!!

However, dangerman Sear was still there, and with only 4 frontline bowlers (if you include Jones), Bray had a problem. Hearn was called up to the job, his 1st bowl for 20 years probably! But Sear kept the score ticking along at the required 5 runs an over and with 3 overs remaining, the batsmen looked favourite.

Wilson was called up to bowl the 1 over Bray were short and was unlucky not to get a wicket as he went for 9. 6 needed off 2 overs. Kerins bowled 5 balls for 2 runs. The batsman hit the next ball to mid off and the diving Coughtrey deflected the ball to Peacock who threw the stumps down to run the batsman out! 1 over left and 4 needed to win, with Sear off strike.

1st ball wide from Hearn. Just to keep it interesting he said. 2 legitimate dot balls followed. Next ball hit over the top for a single. Sear on strike and he creams it through the covers for 4 to win the game.................NO wait, Jake Barker (after his toilet break for a No2) at full stretch, dives and stops the ball to keep it to a single.

Scores level, 2 balls remaining. Dot ball follows. Last ball, the batsman hits it back to Hearn who runs him out and the game is a tie!!

And Luton won the scratchcard in the bar afterwards - see there is hope...

• Result: Tied
• Date: Sun 20th Jul 2008 @ 14:30
• Ground: The Rye Gardens
• Type: Friendly
• Scoring: Standard
• Toss: Friendly XI won the toss and decided to bat

Source: Eaton Bray Cricket Club