Old Millfieldian CC Vs Hampshire Hogs – 8th June 2014

Jul 2 Uncategorized

There were many excellent contributions from Martin ‘Treas’ Jones at Warnford yesterday, but none more telling than winning the toss and electing to bat.  Despite good bowling conditions and a two-paced track, this was a key factor in our episode of wholesale pig slaughter.

Jamieson (68) and Brothers (62) batted judiciously and aggressively to break the club first wicket partnership record before the Honorary Secretary was out with the score at 144.  James Morris continued the run-rate (above 5 an over) with a debut 55 and there were good contributions from Cosker, Hellings and Jones before we were all out for 267.  With only 9 players available, we had done well to score a competitive total and to bat for 45 overs, but the 11am start and late finish meant there were potentially more than 60 overs left in the day.  The sun was beating down on the glorious Warnford outfield and the prospect of chasing leather for an extended period was not appealing.

When one of their openers set about the task as though he was playing in the IPL (he struck 50 from 21 balls), there was a little unsteadiness in the ranks, however, wickets still fell regularly.  Ellison and Morris opened the attack and bowled well, especially ‘Little Elly’ from the pavilion end.  He showed that decent pace could create carry and he gave the batsmen few scoring opportunities.  When Jones took a tremendous steepling catch (muttering expletives as he was under it!) to dismiss the flashing South African, the game changed.  Having ridden the storm, tight spells from Standfield and Jones then turned the screw.  All catches were held and Hellings made one outrageous stumping down the leg-side to dismiss the Hogs for 110.

This was the last game before the Cricketer Trophy campaign starts in Monmouth on the 22nd June.  Competition for places is strong and Brothers was clearly deep in thought on the boundary edge as performances shed new light on selection dilemmas.  There will be an extraordinary committee meeting called (in The Ship) to settle such weighty matters next week.  Until then, the OMs will bask in the glorious memories of another weekend of Hampshire Hog roasting.

MIJ

9.6.14