Cricket- County Division Six (East)

St. Neot v St. Blazey II

With the sun out and members of both teams meeting in the local hostelry before-hand, a good afternoon's cricket was in store.

On the toss of the coin St. Blazey not surprisingly elected to bat. The opening batsmen Downard and Bailey faced up to the attack of J. Tamblyn and I. Fraser. A steady start followed which was especially aided by the old war-horse Fraser picking up an injury and thus only being able to bowl two overs. He was duly replaced by Watts who was of youthful enthusiasm and an had an extra spring in his step.

It wasn't until the 10th over with 38 on the board that Watts struck with Pearce holding a catch at long-on to remove the free hitting Bailey. Bunt replaced Tamblyn and along with Watts started to turn the screw.

Bunt struck in the 18th. over removing Downard's stumps and a mini collapse ensued with Watts taking 3 wickets in 10 balls to rock the innings at 59 for 5. With the tail in sight Robinson and Facey started a revival and took the score along to 82 before Pearce struck. Watts trying hard for that fifth wicket struggled in vain but could only watch as Pearce breezed in and finished off the tail with ease as St. Blazey made the extra batting point and reached 89 all out.

Chasing this total AK sent Marks and Rowe to set a firm foundation to the innings. Alas it wasn't to be as Rowe fell early and allowed Tamblyn to the middle. These two took the innings along at a rate not dissimilar to St. Blazey's, until Tamblyn departed with a haymaking shot for an attacking 18 and then proceeded to go home and bring the hay in. The incoming Bunt continued in the same vein as St. Blazey tried a variety of bowlers but without much luck. Meanwhile Marks was playing the solid backbone role as he picked his singles at will. Bunt went with the score on 61 and was soon followed by Abbott and AK who both made brief visits to the crease. So it was left to Pearce along with the steady Marks to see St. Neot home at 91 for 5.

Scores - St Blazey 89 (S Downard 18, S Bailey 16, R Facey 16; M Pearce 4-9, D Watts 4-40); St Neot 91-5 (K Marks 39 n.o., A Tamblyn 18, M Bunt 18; s downard 2-15, r Facey 2-20).

St Neot (19) bt St Blazey (4) by 5 wkts.