WHCC beat Poppyfields by 7(8?) wickets (which is it Dan? XD)

After last weeks washout, the health were hoping the rain would stay away, looking to continue their winning ways. An overcast but warm day meant perfect cricketing conditions although the pitch looked like it could be used at Wimbledon with a greenish tinge. 

Todays stand-in captain Dan Dunn continued the ways of this seasons previous captains, by losing the toss. On a day he would’ve preferred to bat first, the opposition made us field and so we went about our business, knowing that tea would be enjoyable as we wouldn’t have to run around in the field afterwards. 

Opening up for the Health were DS and Josh Butler, both in good bowling form this season, and not the first time the pair have opened the bowling together this season. DS struck first, trapping Guilder on the pads in front of all 3 stumps, leaving the umpire no choice but to raise his finger. Josh Butler quickly followed with a wicket of his own, clean bowling Fletcher. Following this wicket, Josh decided he wanted as many wickets as he could get, appealing for anything close, even when the batsman middled it back to him, however these loan appeals soon landed him a wicket, a questionable LBW decision after Josh politely asked the umpire “how is that?”, followed by the umpire raising his finger almost as quickly as Rob Hewlitt running between the wickets. 

Both openers bowled superbly, getting key wickets and keeping the runs down, DS and Josh finishing with figures of 8-1-18-1 and 8-0-27-2 respectively. It was now up to change bowlers Will ‘Moose’ Lauchlan and Dave Preece to continue pressuring the batsmen into making mistakes, of which they did, Will bowling very well and finishing with figures of 6-2-10-2, both wickets being caught by Dave Preece and Rich Fell. Dave Preece bowled really well also, apart from one ball which almost went for a no ball 6. He clean bowled all 3 of his wickets finishing with figures of 4-1-8-3. Great spell Dave. 

At this stage we were well and truly into the Poppyfields tail, and it was about this point were the opposition captain asked if his 10 year old nephew could have a bat for an over at the conclusion of their innings, of course the Health sportingly agreed. This wasn’t too far away with JP taking two quick wickets, not helped by brother Dave, who parried one for four, apologies followed, Dai didn’t know who was bowling or fielding so couldn’t comment, otherwise I’m sure he’d have a lot to say. 

Rob Hewlitt took a great low catch off JP, who also bowled Wesson (figures: 5-0-20-2), concluding the Poppyfields innings for 73 all out, however out walked 10 year old Rory, and so 10 of the 11 health players were happy to just give Poppyfields another wicket to allow the young man to have some time at the crease. I say 10/11 players because DS wasn’t too pleased that he’d have to field for another couple of overs. 

This emergence of the young lad meant the health had to call upon their gun bowlers, and so Nath Reeves was instructed to bowl. All jokes aside, Nath bowled really well finding a good line and length after his first ball was smashed for four by the 10 year old. The two batsmen put on another 23 runs before Dan Dunn took a catch off Naths bowling (figures: 3.1-0-13-1), meaning Poppyfields finished on 96-11. 

The tea was lovely, with a few players from both sides enjoying multiple plates. 

The time came to bat, and openers Jack Stenson (big hand for keeping Jack), and Dan Dunn walked to the crease confidently, and having shared some good partnerships this season, were thinking about getting the job done for no wickets and as quickly as possible, I think Jack wanted to get back to watch Love Island. It must be said that Poppyfields fielded with 12 players, with 2 of them being 10 and 8 years old. Umpire DS picked up on this and also questioned which target we were chasing down, whether it would be 73 or 96. 

However the first wicket fell in the 3rd over, with Jack unluckily inside edging the ball onto his leg stump for 4. Rob Hewlitt at 3 couldn’t quite get started before missing a straight one looking to score, he went for 2. Last weeks skipper Rich Fell was in at 4 and smashed a couple of boundaries before unfortunately skying one and departing for 10. 

This left the Health at 39-3, and a few doubts of us chasing the target down started to appear, DS starting to make a case of chasing down 73 rather than 96. However, with in form Dan Dunn and Dave Clive (making his season debut) at the crease, the Health need not have worried as the two steered us home after 19.3 overs. Dave Clive smashed the ball to all parts of the ground, finishing on 29 not out, and Dan Dunn finishing on 36 not out, meaning the Health won by 7, arguably 8 wickets. 

A great day, a great win and a game played in great spirits, all players playing a part in the game and thoroughly enjoying the day. Next week we travel to Romsley and Hunnington, our first double header of the season, after we annoyed a good win against them in May. 

Dan Dunn