1st XI Match Report v Nutfield at Home (by Matt Lewis)

So, here we are! Mid July and our first “league” game of the season against the not so noisy neighbours over the hill. The Local Derby against Nutfield, in what has previously traditionally been a feisty encounter.

Captain Jack, After being told by the opposition skipper that his team wasn’t particularly strong and that we could bat if we wanted. Decided to toss the coin anyway (to try and get his toss win percentage back to an acceptable level) JB won the toss and decided to bat anyway....

In we go, openers Walker and Smithy, two legendary weapons in their own unique ways.
We got off to a steady start, Walker and smithy finding the boundary in the first few overs, but with the score just 19, we lost walker who drilled one to mid on. Then with just 5 more added to the score, Smithy hit the same shot as Walker which ended his innings in the same fashion.
In comes the Big Dog, fresh off the back of a well made 9 the previous Sunday. ? and Joining him was one half of the 2019 seasons ever reliable opening batsmen Simon.
Jack and Simon both knuckled down and got stuck into the Nutfield bowlers straight away. Scoring freely from the off. And Apart from a few nervy quick single calls from the old boy ?, both batsmen built their innings and soon The skipper brought up his 50 and was looking in incredible nick so early in the season. Unfortunately, this was soon to come to an end on 61 as Jack smashed one to the man at mid on who took a good catch. Score 145-3.
Lewy Joins the fold.
Simon straight away showed intent to attack the tiring Nutfield bowlers and very quickly bought up his own 50.
Lewy kept the boundaries coming his end until he was bowled for 22. And shortly after Simons excellent innings also came to an end when he was bowled for 62 (1 more than the captain ?) Score - 186-5
Welcome to the crease The ever entertaining Mark and first team debutant Will Jones.
Both batsman started steady but with the overs ticking over started to try and ramp up the run rate, both hitting boundaries and also a maximum each. Surprising wills made it over the rope given he was batting with a bat with a split all the way down one side!
Our 40 overs came to an end, with South managing to climb to 255-5. Mark finishing on 34 no. And Will impressing with 25 no.
Poenie, Dave, Jason and Robin DNB.
Dave and Jason still both going for the record of most expensive bats purchased per run scored.

At the break, there was lots of disappointed faces. Nothing to do with the on field cricket, but the realisation that we didn’t have the treat of our ever fantastic teas due to the Covid regulations.
The teams “enjoyed” a few dodgy looking home made sarnies instead.

Nutfield’s innings began, with Poenie and Jason our choice Of opening bowlers for the day. Both got off to a good start, bowling tight and keeping the run rate down.
The first wicket fell in Jason’s 2nd over when the number 2 batsman spliced one in the air and Lewy took a good catch at mid-on.
First change bowler was Will Jones, who bowled well and with accuracy, he was unlucky to not pick up a wicket in his 5 over spell which went for 22 runs.
It was Sncc Stalwart David Gentles who was to put on a bowling masterclass from the bottom end. With his loop, Dip and turn bamboozling the Nutfield batsman. David finished up with 4-30 from his 8 overs. David was backed up well by Lewy bowling offspin who also picked up 2-23. The 8th wicket came when Lewy tossed one up which the batsman walked straight past, Mark missed it behind the stumps, but DG picked up the pieces and threw with a direct hit from first slip, the batsman nowhere in sight still as he thought the keeper had taken it anyway.
Another run out from poenie left the visitors on 140-9
Robin then came on from the bottom end bowled a brilliant in-swinging delivery that cut straight through the batsman’s defences to wrap things up.
Nutfield 148 all out. SNCC win by 107 runs.

Great start to the season. Some good performances with bat and ball. Simon and Jacks half centuries, David’s 4 fer, and tight bowling from the rest of the bowlers.
A first team Debut for Will Jones who played well, and Robin for getting his maiden first team Wicket.
It’s 3 months late but we’ve finally got underway for the season and it’s great to be back! Bring on North Holmwood next weekend!