Stoic Martley lose at Stourport
After winning the toss stand in captain James Ganderton elected to bat with a weakened side negating the possibility of a tiring afternoon in the field. Messrs Dunks and O’Birchley opened up with Ollie facing first and respectfully played the first delivery back to the bowler, however the second was launched over the boundary at cow. This was the first of many boundaries to pepper the S’port ropes, one huge six landed halfway across the Swifts football ground and into the conifers on the other side, trouble was a childrens six a side tournament was in progress. Fortunately no injuries. Riding his luck with the field up in the ring Dunksy smoked 54 in 21 balls but with the introduction of leggie Delo in the 6th over our hero lobbed a catch to point to end a highly entertaining stay. After a brief appearance from Scott, Bakes came to the crease to bat against his old pals and started circumspectly with the equally dour Owen. Both bats started to expand their repertoire with Baker using his loaf to select the right ball to smack to the boundary, their invaluable 130 run partnership at times bordered on farce as numerous chances were spilled including many chips into space and four missed stumpings. O’Birchley was the first to perish for a hard fought 58 and immediately left the ground to go and play at the fun fair. From 204 for 2 Martley capitulated to 230 all out , for much of it Basford was standing at the non strikers end watching the drama unfold. A particularly funny moment with a muttering Techie leaving the field in total bewilderment as to how such a talented batter could possibly be bowled by a straight ball.
Stourport were never going to be realistically tested reaching this modest total and so it proved, having safely negotiated the opening bowlers they tucked into some beaming pies from O’Birchley fresh from breaking one of the fun fair rides, “I didn’t see the weight limit” he exclaimed. They moved serenely to 129 before Owen got one to pitch and Worton (57) perished, fellow opener Pratt (57) stumped by Techie, with Stratty picking up a couple of wickets and another for Owen S’port were 191 for 5. Any fanciful dreams of victory were dashed by the returning Tobey Roland Jones who was promptly dispatched for 21 in an over, with 10 overs to spare the home side eased to victory. Martley can feel satisfied with their efforts and 5 points considering the cobbled together side including debutant Dan Hanks who hadn’t played for ten years. It won’t be this bad every week Dan.
