Sykes proves he can bat

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After captain Bugg pulling his hair out for the last 48 hours trying to fill the last few remaining team places.

With eleven men he travelled down the A14 and more to Earl Stonham. On a slightly over cast day Brockley won the toss and decided to bat.

With slightly earlier start of 1.30pm Captain Bugg was slightly worried about the arrival time of Master Joe Reed. With Stu (the GUNS) Fisher running to get his pads on it was one less decision for Buggy to make. Young Elliott was asked to join Guns as his partner which with Joe turning up he reluctantly did.

The pair got on a good start with The GUNS flexing his Biceps dispatched a six to get off the mark. With Brockley wanting all twenty points this was just the start they we’re looking for.

Elliott placed a lovely shot passed the fielders to get his first boundary and then with Fish powering another BIG six Buggy relaxed.

The wicket seeming very slow on the bounce proved the down fall of Elliott as he miss timed a drive and was caught out for 4 off Fenning.

Joe now padded up and ready, took his place but also struggled to time his shots. With the total ticking over The GUNS also miss timed a pull shot and was caught out for 17.

Captain Bugg with new bat in hand displaying some fine marks already on the edges but boasting about his 32 runs on the previous day strolled out.

His first shot an almost unseen shot, a forward defensive almost rolled back on his stumps but was stopped in time. This must have even caught Buggy by surprise as his next shot was more in keeping but sadly again miss timed as he attempted to hit over mid on was also caught out but for 0. With a team of talented youngsters this brought out Anton Blackledge who looked more able to deal with the slightly slower wicket. Captain Bugg had joined The GUNS on the boundary looking glum together complaining this wicket is so much slower than one’s they had played on the day before. Anton made 6 before also getting caught out. In form Vice Captain for the day Alex McCaffrey was next in and soon found way backing up Joe who now was pilling on the runs and scoring himself. Things we’re looking good again with the pair putting on almost 50 runs The Wizard was bowled for a well earned and needed 18. Master chef Dean Sykes was next in and promised his captain who by this time was out umpiring a fifty, yes please Buggy replied. With Joe smacking at one end and Dean blocking at the other the overs and score board ticked along. With a nod back to the captain Sykes decided he had played himself in slapped his first 4 followed by a 6 and then another 4. With Joe already past his his half century but still struggling to work out the speed of bounce was bowled on 82 leaving Brockley 6 wickets down but with 165 runs off their 28 overs. Young Ben Long joined Sykes and looked good until a somewhat questionable stumping left for nought. Liam Grimwood again looked promising until the speed of the wicket had him bowled. With eight wickets gone but seven overs still left it was the partnership of Sykes and Tristan Blackledge who carried the team over the finish line giving Brockley a very respectable 231. the pair finished not out with Sykes on 58 as promised and Tris on 11.

S Fenning was the pick of Earl Stonham’s bowlers finishing with 4-44 off his 10 overs.

Tea was well greeted by both teams who enjoyed the fine spread of sarnies, pizza and home made cakes.

With a young attack force, Brockley’s opening bowlers of J Kimber and L Grimwood took about the task of taking wickets and stemming the runs.

Only a couple of miss fields and overs throws relieved the pressure from Stonham, as they slowly crept along. Jack was unlucky not to get an early break through as S Lewis edged one passed Joe at second slip. How ever the fine bowling and persistence paid off with Liam taking the wicket of C Macrow for 15. This brought out C Tunstall a big hitting ex Suffolk player, who looked strong and powerful until a change of bowling and Joe Reed was brought into the attack. On a slow bouncing wicket a saving grace was that there was spin, and lots of it. Right from the off Joe had Stonhams batsmen in trouble. If I had a pound for every time the ball missed the bat for a possible stumping chance I would be able to give up work and captain the 2nd’s on a Saturday without a problem. This new strike force of Joe and Alex the wizard had Stonham fall well behind the run rate, with the pressure building on Stonham, and with three quick wickets by Reed the twenty points looked safe for Buggy. The Wizard then joined in on the glory bowling S Stannard for 11. Another bowling change brought on Ben Long who’s line and length were spot on right from the start. Both Ben and Triston Blackledge both picked up a wicket each bringing the end insight. With the light fading S Lewis one of the opening batsmen was out done by another fine delivery by Ben. The Wizard returned to finish off the overs along with Anton Blackledge who had spent the last 30 minutes hinting to Captain Bugg that he’d like a bowl. Anton repaid the captains generosity by Grbbing the last two needed wickets and sending Brockley home very happy.

A fine days cricket and some great batting and bowling by some talented youngsters. Jack Kimber who bowled brilliantly was the only bowler not to pick up a wicket, which he well deserved.

Well done Boy’s and Dean.

Posted on 20 Sep 2009 by Phil Reed | click here for a free £25 bet on the cricket

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