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Sat 23 Jun 2018  ·  Prem 2 Bristol/Som
Taunton Deane Cricket Club
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Shapwick & Polden CC - 1st XI
Deane edged out in thriller

Deane edged out in thriller

Sam Shaikh27 Jun 2018 - 11:55
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Taunton Deane were edged out by 3 runs in a captivating encounter with Shapwick and Polden at the Convent Field last Saturday.

Electing to bowl first on a slightly green but otherwise good looking wicket, the new ball pair of Nathan Gilchrist and Rob Pryke took time to get into their work. Pryke being particularly wayward as he conceded 29 runs in his first 3 overs. Gilchrist looked more dangerous and he was rewarded with the first wicket as a ‘nip backer’ crashed into the stumps of Shapwick skipper Steve Tinnion for 18.

Sam Edmunds looked assured at the other end and he looked well set as he took Liam Redrup for 12 in his first over to see Shapwick to 61-1 off their first 10 overs. Shapwick number 3 Wayne Spencer was more circumspect and Redrup (0-23) began to settle into his rhythm, conceding only 3 runs from his next 3 overs.

The Deane were soon celebrating again as the lively Gilchrist forced Spencer back onto his toes to play onto his stumps for 4. Harry Smith (2-31) replaced Gilchrist and struck immediately in his first over, a slight tickle from the dangerous Sam Edmunds finding its way into the hands of Sam Shaikh behind he stumps for 28.

Shapwick were 64-3 in the 13th and at slight risk of throwing away a useful start. However, Joh Stratton and Ben Rudge took their time in ensuring the hard work of the colleagues would not go to waste. The pair took Shapwick to the drinks break at 87-3 from 17 as the game was evenly poised.

Deane skipper Rob Woodman rotated through his bowlers, Rana bowling tidily from the Vivary Park End and Smith continuing from the Golf Course End. The Shapwick pair had put on 50 for the fourth wicket before Smith struck again. John Stratton caught by Nathan Gilchrist for 29, as he looked to force one away through the ring.

The balance of the game swung again as Rana was next to strike in the very next over, Ben Rudge forcing a thick outside edge into the hands of keeper Sam Shaikh for 16 to leave Shapwick 119-5 at the halfway stage.

Mark Boswell and Will Mason set about rebuilding for Shapwick, the pair collecting ones and twos interspersed with the odd boundary to keep the scoreboard ticking over as the Deane spinners bowled neatly in the middle overs. Rana completed his allotted overs 1-38, Harry Thomas 0-46 and Luke Williams 0-20 from 4.

It took a run out to force the Shapwick pair apart as a ill advised single and confusion allowed Rob Woodman to swoop low and run out Boswell at the strikers end for a well made 35.

Mason was going well at the other end and he continued his earlier good work when joined by Steve Coppell, the pair lifting Shapwick from 182-6 to 251-7 to claim maximum batting points as Shapwick posted 269 from their 50 overs. Will Mason unbeaten on 62 and Coppell the last the fall for 36 from a well caught and bowled by Nathan Gilchrist as he finished with 3-52.

The Deane entered the interval confident of their impending run chase having restricted their opponents to total about par given the overhead conditions and improving wicket. Whilst Shapwick, perhaps buoyed by the runs yield by their final partnerships, would have felt well placed to carry forward that momentum into the second half of the game.

Shapwick did exactly that, as the Deane found themselves in trouble straight away. Opener Alastair Warren run out by Wayne Spencer without scoring and number three Calvin Harrison LBW to Coppell from the last ball of the second over. The Deane were 4-2 and had made the worst possible start to their chase.

Skipper Rob Woodman and vice-captain Harry Thomas set about the task of rebuilding for the Deane. The pair looked increasing comfortable, Woodman playing his trademark cuts through point and Thomas driving exquisitely to anything over-pitched, as they took the Deane total past the 100 mark.

However, with the score on 102 Woodman was the next to fall, caught by Ben Rudge off the bowling of Mason for 44. The pair had put on 98 in 20 overs to drag the Deane back into the game, however, the departure of Woodman signalled a mini collapse for the Deane as a flurry of wicket ensued. Number five Luke Williams next to go, caught again off the bowling of J Mason for a 6 ball duck, before Harry Smith was bowled by J Luckins also without scoring.

From 101-2, the Deane had slipped to 105-6. Sam Shaikh joined Harry Thomas who despite the flurry of wickets around him remain steadfast unfurling further drives through the cover and down the ground as he went to his half century from 51 balls.
The pair started steadily, happy to take the singles on offer against the slow bowlers they took their time to rebuild. The return of pace on the ball in the form of opening bowler Woolway allowed Thomas to free his arms.

The pair had moved the Deane onto 189 in the 42nd over, a partnership 83 in 16 overs, as the victory target edged closer before Thomas fell to Woolway, caught at mid-on for an excellent 92 that received unabating applause from the large crowd that had now gathered.
The equation for the Deane was 77 from the last 8 overs as Nathan Gilchrist joined Shaikh in the middle. With Shaikh struggling to find the boundary with any real consistency, the need for a commanding innings from his partner was required.

This role was not lost on Gilchrist, as after a few serene dot balls, he proceeded to hit three 4’s and four 6’s as he plundered 47 runs from just 21 balls to bring the Deane within 24 runs of victory. As he departed, caught by wicket keeping Boswell from the bowling of Rudge, the equation read 27 from 20.

Number nine Rob Pryke joined Shaikh and after a few singles, a wide and a boundary for Pryke, the equation became 16 from 12. With Shaikh on strike, the first ball of the penultimate over was sent sailing over the midwicket boundary for 6 much to the delight of the home support, 10 required from 11. However, only four runs were conceded of the remaining 5 balls to see the equation read 7 from the last over.

Steve Coppell was to bowl the last over, with Pryke on strike, the field spread and the crowd hushed in sense of anticipation. First ball, two runs, as Pryke worked a full ball to fine leg, five required from five. Second ball, swing and a miss, dot, five required from four. Third ball, a long single down the ground to mid off, four required from three, Shaikh on strike. Fourth ball, wicket and dot ball as Shaikh is caught at midwicket looking for the winning boundary. Four from two required. New man Redrup on strike. Fifth ball, swing and a miss, dot, four from one. Last ball, swing and a miss, dot, Shapwick win by three runs.

An incredible game of cricket, with neither team really asserting their authority on proceedings. The Deane will look back disappointed in not capitalising on good positions when bowling and losing crucial wickets together at crucial times in the game.

The result means the Deane have now gone four weeks without a league win, however, perhaps buoyed by their midweek Baker Cup victory, the Deane travel to Lansdown in positive mood looking to sign off the first half of the season with a long awaited victory.

Match details

Match date

Sat 23 Jun 2018

Kickoff

12:30

Competition

Prem 2 Bristol/Som

League position

4
Shapwick & Polden CC - 1st XI
7
Taunton Deane CC - 1st XI
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