Energy Exiles Cricket Club

Match Summary: vs. Priory Arms, Sunday, 31 May 2009

Ground: Dundonald Rec Ground
Captain: Phil Ling
Match type: 40 overs
Toss: Priory Arms elected to bat
Weather: Sunny, dry pitch
Opposition: Priory Arms scored: 104 all out (27 overs)
Exiles Score: 105 for 1 (20.1 overs)
Result: Won by 9 wickets
Man of the match: Andy Pope 3 for 35

On a gloriously hot day at Dundonnald Road the Energy Exiles met to play pub side Priory Arms. Signs for a prompt start were not good when at 2pm the Exiles were lacking its debutant skipper Mr Ling and the opposition were lacking its entire team.

With the new skipper and a depleted opposition finally on scene the toss was made and lost, and unsurprisingly Priory Arms elected to bat. Adam opened up from one end and Martin, having recently made a name for himself as a batting opener now took the new ball from the other. This irresistible combination of swing, seam and just a hint of unpredictability proved too much for the opening pair who quickly succumbed, but this only paved the way for the more competent batters to come.

First, a strapping lad ominously opened his account with a stonking back foot drive to the far reaches of the park. A few extravagant swishes suggested further aggressive intent but fortunately for the Exiles his account was terminated shortly afterwards by a sharp catch low at point by Sri off Adam.

The two best batsmen were now at the crease and one sensed (knew if truth be told) that this was going to be the key partnership for the opposition if they were to post a competitive target. Their captain and comfortably best bat, Pedro, played the sort of innings that one suspects his team require of him each week. That is resolute in defence and picking off any ball slightly short or full of length.

Seeing off the opening bowlers both bats ticked along nicely against the change bowlers Simon and Andy P, and began to build an important partnership. However, just as the Exiles pondered how a wicket might be appropriated, Simon deceived the batsman with a short pitched delivery that stayed far lower than the bowler intended and trapped the batsman plumb in front. Significantly it was the prize wicket of the captain and in an instant the complexion of the game had changed again.

There was still work to do but Andy P was settling into lovely rhythm and it wasn't long before he chalked up his maiden wicket for the club by removing the other good bat with an absolute gem. It was deliciously flighted, pitched outside off, drew the batsman forward and beat him to hit leg. A dream wicket for an off spinner.

That spelt the end for Priory Arms. And despite some hanging around and the odd swish for four from the tail enders (two of which had been acquired from the nearby summer church fete) Andy P finished them off with his third wicket of the innings and fine figures of 3 for 36.

Exiles set about the modest total of 107 with gusto. Keith and Q both looked in fine form, playing with touch and power and there were few alarms against the spirited but wayward bowling attack. Indeed the change bowler showed signs of pace but whose radar suggested that he lacked serious match practice.

Q, perhaps wilting in the hot conditions or intent on giving the restless Dom a go, ran himself out. Dom continued in the same vein and cracked some good looking shots before the total was reached with minimum fuss.

Report By: Simon Gundry

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