Login

Cavalier run chase fells Gateshead

Captain Miller won the toss and inserted the opposition on a flat looking wicket at the picturesque Low Fell cricket ground on Tuesday night.

Macarten was handed the new ball and got off to a good start having the opener caught in the first over by a nervous looking Townsend at square leg. Mulligan opened at the other end and used his guile and flight to keep it tight.

A second wicket was not forthcoming, however, and opposition's Young and Middlemiss were able to keep accumulating runs while taking the odd boundary
as they played themselves in. Eventually, Mulligan (0-19) and Macarten were removed from the attack after three overs each.

The skipper turned to Happy Monday's Bez lookalike Harty and pace potatohead Meredith (sporting glasses held on by an elastic band) in search of a
wicket. Both began well and Harty was soon twisting his melons as Middlemiss (35) was caught behind by South African wicketkeeper Scott.

New batsman Brown (27*) and the established Young began stepping up the pace with the help of some comedy fielding (one bizaare return throw from Mulligan springs to mind as being particular worthy of mention). By the time Foster and Macarten came on to replace Harty (1-19) and Meredith (0-33) the pair were slogging across the line to some effect.

Macarten (1-29) and Foster (1-23) took some stick but Foster picked up the wicket of Young (69) via a sharp stumping from Scott in the final over to leave the Civil Service chasing 133 at more than a run a ball.

The reply began briskly with Ferguson clubbing some early boudaries with both he and Miller running some sharp singles. Miller(5) was bowled early on
bringing South African Scott to the crease. Top-notch cricket ensued as the pair set about reducing the deficit. Ferguson hit some lovely shots through the cover region while Scott used the whole ground. Both ran excellently and by the time they departed, (Scott for 40, Ferguson for 48) Dejager (6*) and Mitchel needed less than a run a ball.

The trend continued until 6 was required off the last over for victory. Mitchel (21*) carefully sized up his options before dispathing the first ball of the over for six.

Victory for The Civil Service Roundheads.