A 29 over game produced a crcaking contest - unfortunately it didn't go our way.
When we arrived (having been advised over the phone that the ground would not be fit for immediate play) those thoughts were undeniably confirmed. Biiiiiig puddles on the ground, squelching in many places and the knowledge that Budleigh had been on the ground working furiously since 9 o'clock told us that the match may not start at all.
Some of us joined in to do the best we could to scoop the water from the ground.
With the tide going out later and the ground definately drying by the minute we were able to start at 4 o'clock (after a tremendously anticipated tea - which lived up to all expectations...)
Steve won the toss and elected to field (no less food was eaten mind you).
The Captain struck first when he had the dangerous Rob Newing paying on for 3 and when Phil had the other opener Neil Murrin caught behind for 5, BS were 8-2 aftewr 4 overs.
Mike Cliff came in at No. 4 hit Steve for a boundary and 6 to make way for Butts - Paul unfortunately struggled to find a consistent length and went for 36 off his 4 overs.
Luckily Cliff misjudged a leg side shot and top-edged Phil to keeper Phil Stephenson for a 17 ball 26.
At 43, BS lost their 4th wicket whenTaylor was adjudged LBW to Phil and at 60, James Burton was also LBW for a 27 ball 6 runs. Jake Libby took over from Butts
and struck with his 4th ball, a beauty that bowled Lloyd Murrin leaving BS 62-6 and PCC in the ascendency. Leat was bowled by Phil for 0, four runs later and we thought an early finish was on the cards. Phil had finished his allocated 8 overs with 5 wickets for 6 runs and Gilly took over at his end.
Lewis Baker ruined any thoughts of their innings folding by playing very well for 36* helped by Charles Morris who contributed 21 in a partnership of 44. We didn't bowl badly - very few extras - but they batted sensibly and used the overs out whilst making ones and twos and punishing any bad ball.
So, PCC were set 124 to win when Gilly dimissed Morris, Steve bowled Hardy and Jake had No. 11 Sharkey LBW.
The worst possible start for PCC occurred when Jake was run out without facing a ball. Phil S had defended a rearing delivery from Cliff (who was extracting high bounce) to behind square and Jake set off but was turned back. He had no chance.
Phil was out LBW to "MoM" Lewis Baker for 7 having been completely tied down by the accurate bowling of Cliff and when surprise No. 4 Butts went for 0 after 3 balls (caught by Newing in the slip cordon), PCC were 22-3 after 9 and a bit overs. BS contributed throughout to our total, bowling 46 extras!!!!!
Bobby went for 1 and PCC were 30-4 and struggling. If we were to win the game, however, the sight of George and Andy together gave us hope. Both batted well but could not gain any fluency - yes, they were giving us extras but they didn't bowl badly either and neither could get a rythym to their batting. At 65, George was bowled by Cliff and when Jake Foley was out for 1, we seemed doomed.
Captain Steve dabbed a ball to gully for 1: 74-8
Andy was joined by Smiler Meredith but was dismissed for 14 with the score on 87. Jon had hooked Cliff brilliantly for 6 to leave us a glimmer of hope but was victim of an excellent caught & bowled by Baker. Gilly was dismissed by the aforementioned for 1 and the game was over. We had lost by 13 runs in a fine game made possible by players who wanted to play....i can think of a few teams who would have cancelled.....
Plympton next week........no bigger game........
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