Match Report

Sunday 26 April 2009, at Church Walk, Hayes - Lost by 9 wickets (Ref. 200902)

Although no strangers to limited overs losses, Wealdstone Corinthians will be worried by certain aspects of this performance, not least the margin of defeat. Having been put in Corinthians reached 56-1 after 12 overs, and were still favourites to top 200 by progressing to 151-2 with 9 overs left. Unfortunately only 20 runs came from the next 8 overs, and this lack of acceleration with wickets in hand cost the visitors a realistic chance of winning. Even if the scorer had not missed 4 runs in the last over the actual total of 180 would still have been disappointing. Exactly half came from a fine career best knock by John Wakeling. Fielding lapses and the failure to set fields to prevent boundaries contributed to the Hayes openers adding 173 runs before finally being parted, with Morgan in particular fortunate to survive several times due to his habit of hitting in the air on the off side.

Corinthians 176-4 (40 overs), J Wakeling 90 (121 balls), S Stratford 36 (77 balls), A Naylor 13, N Shah 12*

Corinthians lost an early wicket when Malcolm Horwill was caught behind off Davis the ball after steering him to the third man boundary. There was a little doubt as to whether the ball carried. This brought in John Wakeling to partner Andy Naylor, and the pair added 49 in 11 overs mainly through taking advantage of the quick outfield. Naylor hit both opening bowlers for 4 through the off side, and Wakeling took three boundaries in different directions in a Ryan Davis over that cost 13. Naylor was caught at cover off Graham Morgan, and although Steve Stratford got off the mark first ball he could only add a single from his next 22 deliveries. Corinthians were 76-2 at the halfway point, then gained momentum with the introduction of two younger bowlers. Wakeling completed his 50 from 72 balls with a boundary off Aaron Branch and Stratford struck three 4s off Josh Mahoney, who was hit out of the attack when Wakeling smashed him for 20 in an over to move to 83. Hayes regained the initiative with yet another double change, with Kev Davis conceding just five singles in his 4 overs and having Stratford caught behind. This ended a useful stand of 106 from 24 overs. Wakeling became preoccupied with scoring his maiden century, and took only 7 runs from his last 26 deliveries before being bowled in the penultimate over. Narendra Shah cut Sean Morgan for two exquisite fours in the last over, though the team score only benefited from one of them.

Hayes 178-1 (32.2 overs), M Matthews 1-16, K Wallis 80, S Morgan 75*

With the first ball of the Hayes innings Dharmik Shah beat Sean Morgan with an inswinger that slid agonisingly past leg stump and the admiring keeper Naylor for 4 byes. That was as good as it got, as Morgan unleashed a series of powerful off side shots, often airborne. He was well supported by Keith Davis, who eventually outscored him. Both Dharmik and Akshay tried hard for the breakthrough and ended with 5 overs for 19 runs. Chris Clark could have had Morgan caught at cover as the ball whistled over Wakeling's head, though it would have been a remarkable effort. The best chance occurred when Morgan skied Phil Cundy over mid wicket, where Mike Matthews could not quite judge the catch turning back. Cundy bowled the only maiden and ended a good 8-over spell unrewarded, conceding 33 runs. Narendra Shah applied some pressure, until the batsmen adjusted to his line and Davis hit him for a straight 6. Chris Brown took over from him and Matthews replaced Cundy, and although Morgan pulled him for 6 the breakthrough finally came two balls later. Davis attempted to win the game by hitting Mike over mid wicket but holed out to a solid catch by Malcolm Horwill. Although played in warm sunshine the match was a typical early season performance from Corinthians, and it is to be hoped that their rustiness will soon disappear.