Willoughby vs Bourton and Frankton Pre season friendly

The Sunday XI welcomed Bourton & Frankton on what proved to be a competitive and narrow victory for the home side. The sunshine had stayed with us from the previous days friendly victory and we can all hope for future weekends to offer us such fine weather. Willoughby batted first with ‘Lord’ Ashley Rayner and Sean ‘Caramel’ Thornton opening up proceedings, the slow medium pace proved Thornton's downfall as he departed being bowled for a steady 14. The good start was followed up by some accomplished batting by young Sam Middlemiss (4) on debut for the seniors, with Derek Middlemiss (4) and Frank Claydon providing some stability in the middle order, with the latter taking 4 overs before scoring his first runs! By the 30th over the Lord was hauled off by Mistry for a well-earned break for 72. With only 106 runs accumulated, the village tried to pick up the pace and Usama Khawaja (0) Tom Gooch (3) departed back to the confines of the newly laid patio area. By this time, Martin 'wide ball' Nichols joined the big hitting Claydon and brought the score into the 140's before Claydon fell for 29. Captain Mistry also fell for 5, end of innings 156 for 7.

After the tea interval the duo of Mistry and Parmer burning off the newly consumed tea came steaming in. 4 early wickets, 2 apiece from the openers and the village set about rotating the bowlers. With the steady accumulation of runs and a couple of dropped catches, a partnership of 70 put the home team back in contention. Gooch, Nichols and S Middlemiss picked up a wicket a piece, with some effective bowling to swing the game back into the village's favour. With the score on 105 off the 23rd over nervy times ahead as a partnership brewed again. Claydon dropping a lollypop off his own bowling provided a run out on 117. The away side were stubborn and Mistry brought himself back on to claim the last 2 wickets with only 11 runs required.

All in all a fine performance from Willoughby with the bat and the ball, who did enough to see themselves through with a victory with the game finely balanced. Special mentions to Sam Middlemiss for making his senior debut and taking a wicket. Lord Rayner for another fine batting performance and Mistry for his economical and devastating bowling.