Saturday 18th August 2007 vs Mayfield C.C.
 
Wash Find it Hard Going
 
Washington C.C. 115 all out
Mayfield C.C. 116 for 5
 

Washington slumped to their second defeat in a row on Saturday against Palmer's Green side Mayfield. This was the second encounter between these two teams this season, the Wash having run out the victors in early June thanks to a big hundred from Paul Irons. On this day however Irons was not available and the Washington batting struggled against some tidy medium pace bowling. The weather intervened later on and persistent drizzle fell throughout the Mayfield innings. Washington made inroads in the difficult, greasy conditions, but ultimately Mayfield got home with some comfort and 5 overs to spare.

It turned out to be a good toss for Mayfield to win. The pitch was relatively soft and the cloud overhead meant that this was a swing and seamer's paradise. Mayfield bowlers Kazi and Sondh certainly took full advantage early on, pinning the Washington batsmen down to a paltry run rate. Washington crawled to 46 for 4 after 25 overs, losing David Gluckman (2), Steve Brown (18), Lee Fogarty (0) and Devesh Dutt (7) in the process. Brown had looked in good touch hitting 4 boundaries and the erratic Dutt struck one excellent shot for 4 before skying one to the infield.

There was then a strong 41 run partnership between Andy Rowlett (31) and captain Peter Kloss (6) in only 9 overs. Rowlett took full advantage of bowling changes to strike a number of lusty pull shots, and fully deserved his top score spot in the innings. After Kloss holed out to cover, Sandeep Kuckreja (9), Max Murrain (3), Gary Malcolm (1) and debutant Anthony Heels (6) all departed relatively quickly. The most notable ball in all this was Heels striking his first ball for the Wash over mid wicket for 4! Dominic Butcher was left stranded on 7 not out.

Washington were all out for a disappointing 115. The fact that it had taken 43.3 overs added to the sense that they should have done better. However everyone was at a loss to explain how, the conditions and quality of accurate medium pace bowling ensuring that it was always going to be hard going.

The drizzle began as the players took tea and it was initially a reluctant Washington team which took the field. However this all changed an hour later as the players got used to the conditions and the wet ball, and the bowlers began to take wickets. Mayfield were 33 for 4 after 15 overs, Murrain (1-36), Kuckreja (1-8) and Kloss (2-16) all being successful. Washington began to sniff victory at this point.

The conditions were gradually deteriorating in the rain and the skippers discussed leaving the field on more than one occasion, some bowlers and fielders slipping dangerously now and again, and the quality of the light being questioned. However after discussion the consensus was to persevere with caution.

Skipper Kloss turned to his slower bowlers Malcolm (1-29) and Heels (0-19). Although Malcolm eventually dismissed the dangerous Bowden (35), Mayfield had the measure of these bowlers and stepped up the run rate by hitting a series of boundaries. Basham (30*) and Sondh (33*) were the architects of this fightback. It might have been very different had Butcher taken a catching chance at square leg from Heels' second ball, and had Kloss taken a more difficult chance at mid-off off Malcolm's bowling.

Kloss quickly found that he did not have enough runs to play with, and despite bringing back Kuckreja and Murrain, Mayfield got home with some comfort. They did not lose further wickets and had 5 overs of the last 20 remaining, facing only 29 overs in all.

Steve Brown, making his debut with the gloves had an excellent game with only one bye (in the first over).

Kloss said after the match “It wasn't our day. They did bowl well and I think the guys batted excellently to survive so long against the onslaught. However we didn't score enough runs and paid the price for this when we bowled. The rain didn't help of course, and well done everyone for sticking it out in those difficult conditions.”

Man of the match: Andy Rowlett, for his gritty 31

Packing the kit: No strong contenders this time (although Sandeep almost selected...)

Washington: Steve Brown (+), David Gluckman, Lee Fogarty, Devesh Dutt, Andy Rowlett, Peter Kloss (c), Sandeep Kuckreja, Dominic Butcher, Max Murrain, Gary Malcolm, Anthony Heels

top   back
Batting
Player Runs How out
Steve Brown 18 Bowled
David Gluckman 2 Caught
Lee Fogarty 0 Caught
Devesh Dutt 7 Caught
Andrew Rowlett 31 Bowled
Peter Kloss 6 Caught
Sandeep Kuckreja 9 Bowled
Dominic Butcher 7* 
Max Murrain 3 Run Out
Gary Malcolm 1 Caught
Anthony Heels 6 Caught
Partnerships
Wkt Runs Batsmen
1 22 Steve Brown  &  David Gluckman
2 0 Steve Brown  &  Lee Fogarty
3 3 Lee Fogarty  &  Devesh Dutt
4 13 Devesh Dutt  &  Andrew Rowlett
5 41 Andrew Rowlett  &  Peter Kloss
6 5 Andrew Rowlett  &  Sandeep Kuckreja
7 7 Sandeep Kuckreja  &  Dominic Butcher
8 8 Dominic Butcher  &  Max Murrain
9 4 Dominic Butcher  &  Gary Malcolm
10 11 Dominic Butcher  &  Anthony Heels



Fielding
Player Cts Wkt Cts Stmps
Steve Brown - 1 -
Dominic Butcher 1 - -
Bowling
Player Overs Mdns Runs Wkts
Sandeep Kuckreja 6.0 3 8 1
Peter Kloss 5.0 2 16 2
Gary Malcolm 5.0 0 29 1
Max Murrain 10.0 1 36 1
Anthony Heels 2.0 0 19 0
Dominic Butcher 1.0 0 4 0
Top