Match Report
A return to a former hunting ground for the Team Manager pitched a well practiced South Shore side against St Annes on a typically windy day at Mad Nook which was to make conditions difficult for bowlers operating from the Trebaron end.
South Shore opted to bat first but it was St Annes who had the better of the early overs with Stuart Walters and Ben Willis both achieving early success by bowling the opening batsmen, reducing South Shore to 16 for 2.
Despite further tidy spells of bowling, the St Annes bowlers could not make significant inroads into the South Shore innings and some very good (and sometimes ambitious) running between the wickets brought rewards for the home batsmen.
The St Annes fielding varied between the very good with some excellent throws from Sam Little, Nathan Bolus, Matt Grindley and Ryan Gleave dismissing batsmen through run outs, and the somewhat careless, with some wayward throws and naïve "backing up" of throws, allowing a number of runs which should not have been posted.
A total of 90 by South Shore was therefore around 15 or so higher than the manager would have liked.
The visitors reply started well with some excellent running between the wickets, as the manager had urged them to do prior to the start, and the required run rate was being achieved throughout the first 10 overs.
This was mainly due to a strong innings from Nathan Bolus who took the attack to the bowlers. His total of 24, which was supported with good running well by Sam Little, Jack Todd, and Andy Walkden set up the reply well.
Unfortunately the second half of the innings did not prove to be as successful with wickets tumbling at regular intervals. Only Stuart Walters contributed significant runs towards the close of the game, by which time the target was beyond reach.
Whilst it was pleasing to see our batsmen put the message of running between the wickets into practice, it was in part our inability to keep wickets intact that let us down.
Lessons to learn:
- Fielding positions - learn to stop batsmen taking quick singles. If we are not preventing the quick runs, move closer to stop them.
- Batting - "get your eye in" when you first arrive at the crease. Get used to the pace of the bowlers and the wicket before playing "big shots".
Man of the Match - Nathan Bolus, for two run out's in the field and a spirited knock of 24.
