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05-05-07
click here for match scorecard
Earl Stonham recorded their third straight win of the season following
another tight encounter with local rivals Stowupland.
Stonham lost the toss and were put in to bat on a murky and overcast day
in Stowupland. The outfield showed plenty of signs of the recent dry
weather with the changing-room side of the pitch in particular a
complete minefield. Runs came slowly but Stonham didn't lose a wicket
until the fourteenth over when Rob Wrinch fell for 31. This sparked a
passage of play where Stonham lost wickets at regular intervals. The
innings looked close to collapse when Bob Wrinch joined Simon Edgar in
the middle at 102-6 after 30 overs. However, these two batted
intelligently and set about posting a reasonable target. Edgar finally
fell attempting to increase the run rate further, but not before posting
an invaluable 42. Jeff Lewis then joined Bob as they crushed 38 off
the last five overs, Jeff ending on a lightening 28no while Bob
finished unbeaten on an impressive 30no. Stonham finished on a
vulnerable but defendable 179.
Stowupland surprisingly selected two of their younger, less experienced
batsmen in the top three of their order. Neither looked comfortable and
were victims of a solid opening combination of Charlie Tunstall and John
Humphreys who shared a wicket each clean bowled. Stowupland solidified
with Scarlett, Langford and Rice who each took advantage of the difficult
fielding conditions. Between them they managed 105 runs, bringing them
within touching distance of the runs required. With the game seemingly
in Stowupland's hands, needing only 30 to win from seven overs with five
wickets remaining, Stonham started to take wickets. Tunstall took a
solid catch to dismiss Langford and Humphreys came back for a second
spell which devastated the Stowupland lower order. Stonham wrapped up
the last four wickets for just three runs to record a memorable
victory by 15 runs.
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