Newton see off strong Brent challenge
South Brent 161 for 10 (39.4 overs)
Scorecard
South Brent travelled to Newton St. Cyres looking forward to a closely fought game, after the last game between them was very even. Brent were missing a few regular players which had created an opportunity for a few players.
Brent’s skipper Lewis won the toss and elected to bowl, on what looked like a good pitch. Cook (1-41) opened the bowling and caused some problems with his variations, tempting opener Wade (10) to drive to Lewis at short mid off. At the other end Daniels (1-37) was bowling well and going past the edge regularly, he got his reward when Haines took a fantastic low catch at slip to remove Withers for 7.
Dayman and Grossberg started to settle in and look comfortable, both started to find the boundary with ease. With the score on 44 Lewis brought himself in to the attack and struggled to find his length in the first over. This was followed by two maidens, the second of which contained 6 LBW appeals in 6 balls which were all denied. Lewis (3-17) struck twice in his fourth over, removing both Dayman (28) and Grossberg (22). With two new batsman to bowl at Saunter (2-51) was brought on. Pearce had come to the crease looking to attack and quickly put on 21 runs, after hitting Saunter into the car park he was then caught and bowled the next ball.
Newton put on a partnership of 87 for the next wicket with Church and Sunderland playing carefully. Sunderland was punishing anything short while Church was picking off the bad balls. The score sped along to 182 until Sunderland (49) was brilliantly caught by Daniel, running around to take the catch. Sunderland was unlucky not to get the half century he deserved. In the next over Bevan struck to bowl Church (33) after a few high scoring overs.
After the Newton had just crept over 200, Bevan (3-52) bowled a double wicket maiden to leave them on 9 wickets. One was another fine catch from Daniel at mid on and the second was a stunning diving catch at cover from Matt Dardis. Lewis brought himself back on at the other end and claimed the last wicket of Cork (7) with one that kept low and hit middle.
The innings came to a close with a decent but achievable score of 202 all out. Brent had worked really hard in the field with Sanders and Snell stopping some difficult balls.
The Brent openers Daniel and Howells went out with clear instructions from the captain and they both performed them really well. Howells (18) was making good connections with the ball and Daniel (10) was solid in defence. Howells was bowled by Pearce (1-23) in the fifth over going for another big shot. Daniel and Lewis batted on, slowly building up momentum again seeing off some tight bowling. Daniel looked comfortable until Chruch (6-26) was brought into the attack, Daniel was caught at cover. Church continued to cause problems for the Brent batsmen getting Sanders (2) and Kelcey (9).
Lewis (33) had been playing watchfully, trying to keep the Brent innings moving forward. The first ball after drinks he swung wildly at one and was caught behind. With the score on 79 Brent needed to keep pushing on, Saunter (11) and Haines (12) both struck a few boundaries each. Haines was stumped by Sunderland and Saunter was caught by a fantastic low catch at deep extra cover from Collier. Snell (1) was caught after he edged one high to the keeper.
At 113 for 8 Brent needed some sensible batting, Dardis was playing very carefully with Cook to move the score on to 140. Cork (2-26) was brought back into the attack and the slower bowling caused Dardis (16) to hit the ball high back to the bowler. Cook and Bevan continued to carefully move the score on and Cook was unleashing some fine shots to hit Withers for 3 successive fours. Brent’s innings was ended on 161 when Cook (19) played down the wrong line to Cork and was bowled. Bevan (5*) was left not out at the other end.
It was a competitive game that could have gone either way, with some excellent individual and team performances on both sides. A very enjoyable game, that was played with a friendly but competitive spirit.