Shawn Hill reporting

(note: for photos please see http://www.flickr.com/photos/thewashcc/sets/72157618728966841/)

On what was the best summer’s day this season, the Washington CC arrived at one of their more picturesque venues of the season, Follies Farm in Chiddingfold, Surrey.

The format for the match was 40 overs a side and after losing the toss, the Wash was put into the field under blue skies and warm sunshine. The opening attack of Rory Guy and Sam “boys own stuff” Clark keeping the bowling tight and frustrating the opposition openers. This resulted in an early run out through some fantastic fielding by Dave Monger. Follies farm had lost their first wicket for 17 runs. Guy, although a little erratic, generated some good pace and bounce off a good surface.

The first change bowlers worked up a sweat in the warm sunshine and particular mention should be made of Luke Mitchell’s spell in which he beat the bat countless times with great swing bowling. He was unfortunate to have a few catches dropped off him behind the bat and figures of 0 for 52 in 8 really didn’t do his spell justice. Russell Pendry came on to bowl following Mitchell and quickly took a wicket with a fine caught behind by stand in keeper Hill. This saw the second wicket of the innings fall on 138 with a number of overs still to go. That was to be his lot though and he ended on 1 for 33 in 5. A few suspect umpiring decisions later and the Follies Farm opening bat reached a somewhat charmed century. Kloss bowled a pretty good spell getting some swing on the ball and ended on 0 for 31 in his 5 over spell.

Guy and Clark then came back on to bowl out the final overs with Guy picking up his solitary wicket for the match, a catch by Brown in the deep, to end on 1 for 47 in his 8 overs. Clark finished well by  picking up two quick wickets finishing on a creditable 2 for 29 in his 7 over spell, a second for Brown and one clean bowled.

It was with some relief that the Wash left the field for tea and an opportunity to get out the sun. The opposition had put 248 on the scoreboard for the loss of 5 wickets. A tough ask in 40 overs but not an impossible one. After and enjoyable tea break it was time to see what the opposition bowlers were like.

Brown and Davis opened the batting and pretty soon Chris Davis had to retire hurt on 4 after receiving a sharp rising delivery on the gloves, splitting his thumbnail. This saw Chad Bhaskar joining Brown at the crease as the two of them set about to get some runs on the board at least risk. Some lovely strokes were played by the pair before Brown got out for 38 just before drinks, a partnership just shy of the hundred mark. Bhaskar followed soon after for a well played 29, his highest score for the Wash to date. The skipper Hill joined Fogarty at the crease, who had been batting well, in the 29^th over with the total on 142.

The Wash Machine needed to step up a gear and accelerate now as they had just over 100 runs to chase down in 11 overs, a tough but gettable task with a little good fortune. The wind was blowing in the wrong direction though and the Wash lost 4 quick wickets in Fogarty for a well played 20, Mitchell for 2, Kloss for 2 and Monger for a first ball 0. This saw the Wash slump to 163 for 6 in 5 overs. Skipper Hill was hitting the fence but some tight bowling by the opposition saw him chip one to cover to get caught for an entertaining 32. It was all over bar the shouting as Guy and Pendry soon followed with the Wash being all out for 189 in 39 overs. A defeat by 59 runs.

The team enjoyed the remainder of the gorgeous summer evening by enjoying the cold beers in the sunset as the hot air balloons drifted overhead.

Man of the Match: Luke Mitchell for a great unrewarded bowling spell and a fantastic committed fielding.

Packing the kit: Dave Monger.... quack quack.