KMCC vs Studley Royal C.C. 2nd XI

KMCC hold their nerve to topple Studley

 Bradley once again won the toss on a cold yet sunny day and decided to bat on a surprisingly hard wicket. After a steady start Kiffer was despatched unluckily and this brought Kenny Fielder to the wicket bristling with the intent to make his mark and he steadily began to accumulate runs. Wickets fell periodically at the other end until Mike Armer joined the thrusting Aussie with the score on 77-4. It was at this point that Studley introduced their erstwile strike bowler, a dubiously actioned spinner. KF was not impressed and dispatched him to all parts including a huge six over the new shed. Mike Armer ably assisted at the other end and at one stage a score of 200 looked possible. However, when Mike fell on 148 for 23 the momentum was lost and the score finished on 167-7 with Kenny unbeated on 85no.

 The Studley innings began circumspectly but without any major alarms however Peter Kirk in a marathon 12 over spell dismissed both openers to keep the pressure on. The Kirkby bowling remained tight and Ken removed the Studley no 4 to another sharp chance by Rod. It was then that Studley steadily took what looked like a grip on the game as their Aussie and Cockie took the Studley innings past 100 and towards the target. Armer, Fraser and Fielder kept their discipline however and the ground fielding ensured that the runrate stayed at 5 an over. The match turned on its head in one Fraser over as he firstly dispatched Cocko to a diving catch by Goldie and then the Studley No 6 was runout with out facing a ball attempting a risky second. The pressure was now on the Aussie to single handedly haul Studley to the victory target. Unable to strike the required boundaries the runrate now began to steadily rise and with 4 overs remaining 28 runs were required. Fraser and Fielder kept their nerve to close out the victory and subdue the previously boisterous Studley crowd to silent contemplation of their first defeat of the season by a meagre 7 runs.