Following a tumultuous few years on the field and enduring great stress off it with the construction of our fantastic new facilities, the new year started off with a bang.
A true first team dominated from ball 1 and skittled Astwood Bank 2nd eleven for just 112 then chased it in 21 overs.
After a decisive toss, Pete Gardner bowled the Bank’s number 1 in just the second ball of the game. From there, the side never looked back. Gardner and Tobey Jones (pictured) rarely strayed in the opening 10 overs, going for a handful of runs and testing the batsman nearly every ball.
Both finished with outstanding figures and the latter ploughed on to bowl 10 straight through.
Stratford produced some good ones but struggled for his usual rhythm before Ganderton and Dovey came on to finish the Bank off.
They had the middle order tied up in knots and it paid off quickly, 5 between them set up Martley’s first chase of the season.
New Martlet, Dovey, was bowled by a ripping yorker 3rd ball of the innings but any worries were quickly dispelled as Kendall and Birchley steadied the ship to get Martley a handy 2nd wicket partnership.
Birchley tamely chipped to cover for a promising 18 and Kendall was bowled shortly after by the ball of the season, yes it’s only April but it truly was unplayable!
Basford and Mulvihill finished off what was left of the target in prompt fashion before the heavens opened.
Australian Kai “Pigeon” Clissold was due in next and may have been left wondering why he wasn’t playing the AFL season as he finished with bowling figures of 0-0-0-0 and a score of 0*(0) with the bat. A great start to the year for the big Victorian.
Away to Cookley next week for some cracking teas and another big win!
