The second XI had league leaders Clyst St George on the ropes on Saturday. Put in to bat on a damp pitch Clyst struggled to score against James Howrihane (2 for 13-or thereabouts) and Scott Colegate (2 for 11), who each bowled exceptionally. Two early wickets fell but it should have been 4 as chances went begging. Clyst were 21 for 2 but it should have been 21 for 4. They recovered well with their left-handed opener leading a charmed life but at drinks they were only 42 for 2. Colegate bowled through his 9 overs but Howrihane saved himself some overs for the death and came back well to pick up 2 valuable wickets. Neil Colegate had a nightmare in the field putting down 3 very catchable chances, including one of the ex-Chairman. Jack left the field prompting much speculation about his activities and the reason for them, the truth was somewhat more mundane. Lets just say there’s a connection with an old time cricketer and umpire also named Jack.
Needing 151 to win we didn’t start well. Tom Petherick was run out by a direct hit from the boundary and Nicholls was caught. Neil’s day didn’t get any better when he drove a ball straight to mid-off. Olly Payne was bowled attempting a cut off middle stump. Matt Haw batted decently but he too succumbed after scoring 16. Fifty odd for 5 the game seemed up but Scott and James Howrihane rallied well against some indifferent bowling. The pair scored rapidly and overs were not an issue. The turning point came when Scott holed out on the boundary for 46. Alex Hartridge made 1 and then James was caught for 42. Mudgy didn’t last long and last pair Jack and Mick needed to score 20. Mick claimed he felt confident. Attwater sent down a rancid short delivery which Mick belted, unfortunately too close to mid-on, who took a marvellous flying catch and that was it.
Another match lost. The consensus each week seems to be that “they were no better than us” and certainly Clyst bowled far worse than we did.