Stanton Harcourt – Home – OCA League

After stealing victory from the jaws of defeat on the last ball of the away match earlier in the season, the return fixture was eagerly awaited. A heavy shower in the morning had given some cause for concern, but once Mongo got his legs out the sun shone to dry the pitch ready for the game to start on time. Colin’s attendance at a wedding later in the day relegated him to scoring duties, leaving Barry to take the reins for the first time this season. He began well, winning the toss and electing to field.
 
Steve Yates got an early breakthrough, finding the edge from opener Gilgrass for the original Nick Burton to take a regulation keeper’s catch. This brought the prolific Harry Sutton to the crease and he showed the form that has brought him five hundreds this season. As expected, wickets were easier to come by at the other end with NiB taking a juggling catch at cover and Tim taking a sharp slip catch and also leaping like a salmon to very nearly hold a superb effort at gully. A brief shower then interrupted proceedings but after 15 minutes play resumed and Barry settled into a really good groove against Sutton, eventually forcing a lofted shot through midwicket which was well caught by Ian to remove the key batsman for a classy 78. Some effective hitting by Luke Pettifer took the visitors’ score above 150, but only 1 run came off the final 3 overs as they closed on 158 for 9, including two run outs and a stunning one-handed catch by Nick behind the stumps. Notable bowling figures included 3-34 for Yates and 2 wickets apiece for Ryan and Barry.
 
The start of our reply was a game of two halves as NiB scratched around against left-armer Richardson and Ian looked comfortable against Lawson, dispatching one delivery for 6. After Ian unluckily played on for 15, Tim immediately looked in good touch and was quickly into double figures. After NiB was adjudged caught behind for 29, Barry joined Tim to take the score above 100 and dispatched Sutton for a massive six onto the road. Tim and Barry were out for 25 and 24 respectively and Sutton was starting to look threatening. Some nice shots from Olly and Ryan took us close to the total but when the original Nick Burton fell to an outstanding catch the crowd started to bite their nails after what happened in the away fixture. Luckily that wasn’t the case as team Summersbee took us to an important victory.
 
MOTM: Barry for the big wicket and a key contribution with the bat
Champagne moment: Ian for taking the important catch
Pig’s ear: OT for calling for a run that nearly led to Tim being run out by a street