4th XI lose opener to strong SVCC

The 4th Team’s season began with a tough assignment against a strong Shenley 4th XI. The Shenley skipper elected to bat and Brendan and Rushil opened the bowling. Rushil was gifted an early wicket when a long hop was hit to Scott at cover to leave Shenley 0/1. Unfortunately that was as good as it got as the second wicket partnership took the score past 70. An inspired spell of bowling from Jon bought him two quick wickets removing the 2nd opener and then the Shenley captain both LBW. At the other end Neil was in the middle of an 8 over spell in which he took 1/37 bowling the number 3 for 41. Neil was unlucky not to pick up more victims. The match winning innings was played by Barrie at number 4 who made 54. On his debut Amieya bowled a promising spell and beat the bat on a number of occasions. Scott had the Shenley number 6 in difficulties throughout his spell and picked up his wicket and another in a good spell of flighted off spin bowling. Rajesh also bowled nicely for little reward and it was left to Brendan to clean up the tail as he took 3/12 from his 7 overs. Shenley’s score of 200 was well above par on the pitch but would have been a lot less but for missed opportunities in the field.

The makeshift opening partnership of Rory and Rushil got the innings off to a sedate start against some very accurate bowling. Rory was undone by the slow pitch chipping the ball to point. This bought Ken to the wicket and with Rushil they looked to consolidate the innings. With drinks approaching Ricky lost 3 quick wickets. Amieya (19) looked to add some impetus to the innings and looked the most comfortable at the crease. Neil also looked settled at the crease before falling to a terrific one handed catch by the fielder running back from cover. Rajesh (17) played himself in for a few balls and then looked to take the attack to the Shenley bowlers. The re-arrangement of Trigger’s stumps bought the skipper to the crease. With Rajesh’s dismissal following shortly afterwards Jon got the short straw of negotiating the returning opening bowler while the skipper (16*) attempted to put away any loose bowling at the other end. After a pull through square leg Jon was undone by a ball that nipped back through the gate. A bye saw Ricky pick up a batting bonus point before Brendan decided that the bar was calling his top edged slog was well taken at mid on.

There were certainly some positives to take from the defeat. Apart from the odd loose over the bowling was good and we will not come across such a strong top order every week. Some improvement in the batting and fielding departments will be necessary if the 4s are going to mount a challenge this year.