New additions to the Evening League set-up, Colwall visited Jewry Field for the first midweek match of the season.
Young Olly Saunders & Owen Birchley were tasked with skippering the side for the first time, Olly losing the toss & forced to bowl leading with Ollie Dunks & Doug Stormonth-Darling who made a good start despite no wickets. Saunders snaffled a stumping as Tom Vale helped keep the visitors in check till S. Gill started shouldering arms, powering his way to 51 retired. Ben Roberts & Sam Fitch made steady contributions with the ball as Colwall were never allowed to get away with it, & Owen Birchley bowled one man as he & Vale both finished with 1-25 from their allotted 20 balls.
J.Collins went hard at the death to finish on 38no as he propelled Colwall to 142-2 from their 100 balls, a testing target but certainly gettable for the Martlets who didn’t do a lot wrong, just didn’t take enough wickets really to keep them to 120/130.
Stu Hayes & OJ came out with intent but the former skied one for a quacker before his partner went in similar fashion after a quick 12. Alex Taylor (36) joined Vale (27) at the crease & the pair put on 60 to put the pressure back on the visiting side. Both smacked four boundaries apiece, as well as a big six for Taylor, but neither could see their side home, Taylor holing out & Vale getting cleaned up.
It was left to the middle-lower order to try & chase 50 off the last 30 but the usual big-hitters Doug S-D & Dunksy were both cleaned up for 0 & 1 respectively as they tried to clear the ropes. Ben Roberts (14) & Sam Fitch (10no) slogged well but with a maximum needed for the tie off the final ball, Fitchy was only able to hammer the ball back at his partner’s hand, who was unfortunately run out to end the evening. S.Bradley 4-19 & C.Kendall 2-17 doing the damage for ‘Wall.
A pleasant evening for the watching crowd in the sunshine, shame about the result but good to be back & good experience for our young captains.
Next match Thursday night in the Midweek Cup at home to Old Vigs, 6.15 start. #UTM
