Willoughby 2nds Vs Abingdon Phoenix 2nds

Another glorious Spring day was on offer as the visit of Abingdon Phoenix 2nds to the green brought a very tough opposition to the green. Abingdon being undefeated since resurrecting themselves for the I've been told was numerous occasions. The reason for their undefeated streak was nothing to to with their capabilities on the pitch as we were about to find out.

Abington won the toss and decided to set a target, the first 16 over spell of Fergus Deery and Ryan Lines was very eventful sitting at 73 for 3. The skipper Jose in at 3 thick edged the ball to Jimmy Andrews and didn't walk, the umpire had to give it and after a 10 second think decided that it was an edge. Even worse was Manuel who edged the ball just as hard in the 6th over didn't walk or wasn't dismissed. After drinks our very own Google translate Nikesh Mistry overheard the opposition say 'whatever you do don't give him out' charming for division 13 league cricket. A partnership of 120 accumulated, the main cause was a poor ball each over, Manuel and Joseph were quite happy to chop away to the boundary. And also the inability to give Manuel out for anything, I think we lost count at 5. John Gregson 4-29 found the breakthrough at 151 for 4 pegged back Abingdon to 183 for 9. Ryan Lines 2-44 and Fergus Deery 2-18. Manuel got his 50 off 30 overs then miraculously needed 2 off the last over for his century despite pegging them back significantly.

After the break Abington had 3 solid bowlers who didn't offer much in the way of runs. Despite that due to Abington being completely dishevelled in the field conceded 71 for 3 at the 20 over mark, the main damage Sean Thornton with 27. Nikesh Mistry 21 and James Andrews 32 put on a 56 run partnership to put the team within striking distance of our target at 127 for 5 off 31 overs. After Ryan Lines went for 4 on 134 off 34 overs Abington tried every trick in the book, excessive appeals, wide deliverers, distractions, arguing, bickering and were in a state of self destruction when the opener came back on bowling beamers and was eventually taken out of the attack. It was a little too late as Ryan Perry 26 and Harry Lacey 8* put on 36 for the 8th wicket. Perry being caught over or in the boundary? in the final over, only the fielder knew. Abingdon finishing on top by a couple of runs.

Another disappointing game, mainly down to the oppositions antics and spirt of the game. The team should and would have only been chasing 120 max if the spirt of the game head been adhered to.