Match Report

Saturday 23 May 2009, at Alice Owens Sports Ground, Chandos Avenue, Whetstone - Drawn (Ref. 200906)

Debut: Fred Newman

A depleted Wealdstone Corinthians side did very well to come within 11 runs of their third successive victory at Arkley after being asked to achieve what would have been their highest ever score on the unpredictable western pitch at Whetstone. A solid performance from the visitors in the field saw the home side declare upon losing their 7th wicket, with Raj Meswani and Akshay Samarth the pick of the bowlers. 12-year-old debutant Fred Newman acquitted himself well in his first adult match, saving several runs particularly at third man and fine leg, and bowling three tidy overs. Against tight bowling, especially from Raval, Corinthians made steady progress in their reply. Top scorer Andy Naylor paved the way with a 2nd wicket partnership of 51 with Steve Stratford, and when he was out 55 runs were needed from 10 overs. Andy Clark and Neil Barnard both hit 13 to reduce this to 20 from 3 overs, but three late wickets from Raval meant Corinthians had to settle for a draw.

Arkley 163-7 dec (43.5 overs), Raj Meswani 2-6, A Samarth 2-28, S Brown 1-14, S Stratford 1-37, C Clark 1-61

Although the bounce was variable Armitage and Townsend accumulated runs gradually, and after 5 overs with no breakthrough Steve Brown replaced himself with Chris Clark to partner the economical Akshay Samarth. It was Akshay who broke the deadlock on 53 in the 18th over when he bowled Armitage for 27, and he removed Anson the same way after having him dropped at mid wicket by Chris Brosnan. In the next over Phil Knappett was held by Andy Clark at fine leg off his brother for the only duck of the match to make it 80-3. Chris Clark almost had another wicket but Steve Stratford couldn't hold on to a powerful drive at short cover. Hillman pulled a muscle and had to retire hurt for 14, and 55 runs had been added by the time perennial skipper Clive Townsend was LBW to Raj Meswani for a patient 50. In his next over Raj had Mehra held at mid off by Neil Barnard, playing his first Corinthians game for 8 years. Steve Brown returned to remove Jack Spellane, and Arkley declared during the next over as soon as Morgan was stumped off Stratford for a valuable 24.

Corinthians 153-7 (43 overs), Naylor 41 (94 balls), Stratford 26 (59 balls), Raval 4-32

The first ball of the innings from Raval disappeared into the hedge at long on, a superb shot from Raj Meswani, who then added 2 and 1. Andy Naylor should have been caught first ball, poking it uppishly towards point, where the fielder was not alert enough. In the next over he was again dropped on 0, this time by keeper Pennicott off Knappett. Although previously a consistent failure against Arkley, Naylor's was still a crucial wicket in a relatively thin batting line-up. Both openers eked out runs and each hit a four off Knappett in the 12th over to make it 36-0, the best start of the season. Then Meswani played across a straight ball from Raval and was bowled. Steve Stratford got off the mark with a four off Raval, and Naylor leg glanced Knappett to the boundary in the next over. A double change slowed the rate as Spellane began accurately and Jones started with three maidens. The batsmen kept out anything straight and tried to score when offered width. The last hour began with exactly 100 needed. Stratford struck two fours off Spellane before holing out in Mehra's first over to end a stand spanning 18 overs. Chris Brown started fluently and Naylor passed 40 with a 2 off Armitage, but was then caught at long off trying to continue the acceleration.

Arkley turned to their opening bowlers for the last 9 overs, which suited Andy Clark as he took 2 and 4 off Knappett and two 2s off Raval before being bowled. It was 127-4 with 6 overs left and 37 runs needed. The rate required increased after a wicket maiden from Knappett, who bowled Brown for 12. The shot of the day saw Neil Barnard pull his first ball like a rocket through mid wicket off Raval in an over costing 8. Chris Brosnan took until the fourth ball to score in Knappett's next over, then Barnard finished it off with fours through long on and cover. The target became 15 from 13 balls after a boundary to mid wicket and a single from Brosnan, before Barnard was bowled by Raval. In Knappett's last over Brosnan took a leg bye, then backed up well to give Fred Newman a single to short third man to make him the youngest player to score a run for Corinthians (beating Rohan Meswani's record by 76 days!) In the last over "Stretch" Brosnan was bowled, Akshay scored a single first ball and Fred played out the over to seal a creditable draw.