Stamford and Rutland Sports News

 Sunshine smiles on cavalier Motley batting as Tolethorpe season ends

by our Man at the Match Des Parr

Fixture: Tolethorpe Park CC vs Motley Crew CC (35 overs per side).y

Scores: Motley Crew 218 for 5; Tolethorpe Park 101 for 9

Result: Motley Crew won by 117 runs.

Stunning late summer weather was further brightened by cavalier Motley top order batting  which set them up for a substantial victory despite a decent bowling effort by all 6 Tolethorpe bowlers. 

It appeared every loose delivery was punished and there was little luck in the field. Tom Patchett set the pattern with a boundary filled 39 (2x4s, 4x6s) after losing his opening partner to a sharp Jon Harrison catch off Jonathan Digby. 

Kurt Storey, strolling slowly to the wicket with a gunfighter’s swagger, then took the majority of the rest of the innings to strike a classy 75 (4x4s, 3x6s). Although Tolethorpe took another wicket to an expert stumping by keeper Steve Windsor, and Simon Sherwin could have been out before scoring, his 69 (7x6s) proved a real game-changer. 

He too was superbly dismissed by Steve Windsor, this time off the redoubtable Jonathan Digby who finished with 7-3-42-2. 

Theo Gatehouse bowled with great heart to return 7-0-69-2, while Pete Blissett (7-0-34-1), still unwell through the week, thoroughly deserved his eventual wicket, Storey beautifully caught on the midwicket boundary by Harry Davies. 

Des Parr returned an economical 7-1-22-0, Sean Enright a creditable 3-0-22-0 and Harry Davies a terrific 4-0-12-0, both bowling when Motleys were looking to hit out.

Looking for 6 an over in reply, Tolethorpe were stunned to lose their prolific openers, Pete Blissett and Jonathan Digby inside 5 overs but were still in the hunt until the 15th over when Harry Davies (12, 2x4s), looking comfortable, slapped a caught and bowled chance back to the bowler. 

Theo Gatehouse was in great form and had scored 75% of Tolethorpe’s runs when he holed out to mid off for a super 52 (4x4s, 3x6s). 

Tolethorpe battle through to the end

The remaining dozen overs was a struggle but Tolethorpe batted through to the end. Impressive spells from Tom Patchett (7-1-9-1), Taylor (7-0-1-42), Nation (5-2-8-1), that man Sherwin (7-1-16-4) and veteran spinner Norman Brown (6-2-10-1) who took the prized wicket of Parr, sealed the win for the Motleys.

After the match, had a chance to interview the spectator (a larger than usual crowd) on their thoughts on the game. She said she had stayed after returning a ball which had just missed a vehicle on the road (3rd over). 

This was her first sight of village (any) cricket and she was intrigued by several unusual occurrences. She wanted to know why she saw several players clambering over fences at various junctures only to return empty handed and why the batsman didn’t keep running since they could have scored another hundred. 

I explained the expensive cost of a cricket ball. I couldn’t remember why they didn’t run. Another question surrounded teas. Why did she see the  players stuffing themselves only to be incapable of batting afterwards. Had the opposition doctored the refreshments?

I confessed I hadn’t considered that as we collapsed England-style and said I would write to the ECB to review the result. She finally asked what crime had the man in the white coat committed to stand out there for 5 hours. I assured her none and he would be returning the coat to Mr Whippy that evening.

PS. Throughout the season, one man has not been mentioned - our umpire Tim Norton. He has stood in all weathers and watched us, good, bad and definitely sometimes ugly. He has maintained his humour throughout some trying moments and our Club wishes to wholeheartedly thank him.  

 

Season over.  Goodbye. DP