Match Summary:
Upon arriving it was clear this was going to be a hot sunny day, but one hell of a beautiful ground, and setting!
Most arrived on time, though 1 player was a little late meeting… due to stopping off at a Car Boot sale.
Skipper won the toss and elected to bowl…

Bowling highlights:
The duo of Noah Eyles and Fergus Deery opened up proceedings, both bowled well, created a few chances, but Kislingbury’s openers both batted pretty well, meaning a change was in order… enter Seán T and Dave Alcock (last weeks centurion)… Sean’s first over, a little loose and this left the score at 59/0… Dave starts his spell… first ball makes the breakthrough, then decides over the course of his following 8 overs to get 4 more wickets… figures of 5/16 off 9overs… unbelievable effort!
Nikesh Mistry, Oscar Rust and Hayden Davies all had a bowl, with no reward, somewhat unfortunate.
Sean did pick up a wicket, as did a returning Noah Eyles… leaving Kislingbury 154/7 off their 40overs… this was probably 40-50 below par… thanks to some good bowling, particularly Dave, Noah and Fergus Deery opened… and some outstanding fielding, Hayden Davies being the one that shone brightest!

Batting summary:
Ian Andrews and Dave Alcock opened our chase, and with 2 of Kislingbury’s youngsters opening the bowling, patience was key… tight lines, accurate lengths and a pitch that had a little for the bowler meant time at the crease was hard fought… Ian and Dave saw out there openers bringing in their more experienced bowlers, one nippy getting the pitch to talk, the other very accurate line and length bowling off-spin.
With the score on 57… Scott Rose broke through Ian’s attempted shot down the ground and clean bowled him for 16…
This meant Seán Thornton entered the fray (or the furnace as it felt), a little promotion as someone else didn’t fancy batting 3…
Back to the match… Dave was now seeing the ball well but still having to remain patient, Sean was trying to see out their tricky seamer… who created doubt and it was Sean who had a reprieve when he was dropped at point… this led to a switch in approach from Seán who had to this point been very disciplined… not no more, time to take this back to the bowlers… flurry of boundaries had their bowlers bickering, and attempting to chirp our batters… all the while Dave serenity went past 50… still requiring 25 or so to win… their spin bowler decided to chirp at Seán… BANG four to the square leg boundary, BOOM six high into the trees at midwicket, soon followed by another BOOM six into another tree at long on… then an inside out lofted cover drive to the boundary for four, bringing up Seán’s half century…. this left Willoughby requiring only 6 to win. Dave tried for big that 6… fell just short but still got 4, through long on, followed by 2 byes, Willoughby win by 9 wickets! Leaving Dave 60* (5x4) and Seán 51* (6x4 and 2x6)
This may read as an ‘easy’ win… certainly not. Bowlers had to bowl very well, fielders fielded very well… then Ian and Dave built a very nice platform with patience allowing Sean and also Dave the freedom to open up later on… a very very good team effort by all! Well done all ??

Awards..
Bowler of the Day: Dave Alcock ⚾️
Batsman of the Day: Sean Thornton ?
Fielder of the Day: Hayden Davies ??‍♂️
Donkey of the Day: Nikesh Mistry ?

Peoples player of the match: Dave Alcock (again) ???

Next week: (17/05/2025) We welcome OLD CC 3rd’s to The Green. Please update Pitchero if you have not already.