Blubberhouses wilt in the heat
KMCC eased to their fifth successive win in their first game back at the KMCG since the foot and mouth outbreak curtailed the season. On a hot steamy day, captain Shedley won the toss and immediately elected to bat, with the KMCG outfield at its most massive. The openers then began to steadily nullify the opening charge by the pumped up Blubberhouses attack and despite the loss of firstly Rodney and then in-form Fettes, who was struggling with a severe case of cricket tour all week, all seemed rosy with ten overs to go and the score at 146-2 with I Fraser,41 and Harford-Cross,67 still at the crease. In a bid to up the rate however a collapse of epic proportions then occurred as 5 wickets went down for only 11 runs leaving Kirkby staring down the barrel. However, cometh the hour cometh the General, and lord Goutieri then proceeded to pummell the bowling to all parts of the ground making a whirlwind 46no and taking the score up to 214-9 at tea.
The Blubberhouses response was marred by the loss of the dangerous Dickinson to a Fraser loosener in the first over however inroads were being made to the KM total as the score ticked along at 4 an over and control was almost lost when the slow bowlers were operating at both ends. But this was a day for a general to lead from the front and in his first over Gouty struck with a well directed full toss outside the off stump - breaking the increasingly dangerous looking third wicket partnership. Rodney scenting blood then proceeded to weave his magic from the bottom end claiming 4 scalps and once Duncan had learned to sometimes bowl to contain, the Blubberhouses innings was wrapped up. Six more points leaves KM still in the hunt for a top four finish, however the absence of key players in the coming weeks due to drinking commitments will stretch the paper thin squad to its limits.
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