|
Onthaal aan zonnige Thornham |
|
Written by Michael Soper
|
|
Wednesday, 01 July 2009 |
|
Ajax CC 178-7, Mellis CC 179-6
On Tuesday Mellis Cricket Club welcomed visitors from Ajax Cricket club in the Netherlands http://ajaxcricket.wordpress.com/ for a 30 over friendly match (with batsmen retiring on 40). Ajax opted to bat and began their innings in aggressive style with 21 runs coming from the first 3 overs. However, excellent bowling from Phil Courridge and Richard Morgan pegged the visitors back to 30 for 3 by the 6th over. As Mellis rotated the bowling Ajax were able to put together some useful partnerships and both J Morrison and F Snieder reached the 40 run retirement limit. Further aggressive hitting by the lower order pushed the visitors score up to 178-7. Pick of the many Mellis bowlers were D Spence 2-4, P Courridge 2-12 and M Soper 2 -44.
The Mellis reply was built on good foundations with Martin Minta, Doug Spence and Richard Morgan all contributing double figure scores. Some characteristic big hitting from Chris Farrant saw him reach the 40 run retirement limit in quick time to maintain the momentum. After a brief wobble, there was a vital partnership between Darren Stringer and Phil Courridge that carried Mellis towards the victory line. But Courridge was out for 17 and Stringer forced to retire on 41 setting up a nail biting finish.
Fortunately for the home side David Williamson and Mark Prior both held their nerve. With two runs needed from the final delivery, Prior lofted the ball over the infield and they were able to scamper the runs required. Altogether it was a great friendly played in beautiful weather with much friendliness between the two sides.
|
