An Insquired Performance

On a glorious hot and sunny day, Seaford made the trip to Blackboys and as is now the tradition, lost the toss and were asked to bat first. Although it looked a fantastic batting wicket, knowing that Blackboys strength is in their bowling and particularly bowling first, it looked a bad toss to lose for Seaford. Even taking the heat of the sun into account, Seaford would have still bowled first as well.

With the usual opening pair of John Britton (1-32) and Colin Eade (2-64) causing trouble for the batsman, including the wicket of last weeks top scorer Owen Edmonds for a duck. After 5 overs Seaford stood as just 3-1 and the new ball moving around a lot. Martin Edmonds (31ret) then decided he didnt like the new ball moving around so deposited it into the heavily overgrown next door field, then clearly not liking the replacement, sent that the same way two balls later. Change bowlers Chris Turner (0-29) and Gary Funnell (0-36) bowled tightly and at the early drinks break on 15 overs, Seaford had only progressed to 29-1. Martin's hamstring finally gave away and was forced to retire, and Gavin Wright (37) chipped a catch to arguably the slowest ever recorded ball, leaving Seaford at 70-2 after 25 and looking like a below par score was in the offing. This however brought Justin Squires (68no) to the crease joining Billy Wootten (48) and in the remaining 15 overs hit 115 including lots of very quickly taken singles. That mixed with the elegant hitting of Wootten, added to the power hitting of Squires enabled Seaford to end their innings on 185-4. Incredibly, and i can never remember playing in a game that this has happened, but Blackboys didnt bowl a single extra.

After what was as always at Blackboys a top quality tea (although this was easily one of the best). Blackboys started their reply. Very amusingly after Blackboys zero extras, the first ball was of course a wide ! An early wicket for Steve Hearsey (2-41) couldn't stop the fast start, and when Harry Funnell (17) got caught soon after crashing a six into the nearby house, the score stood at 50-2 after 11 and Blackboys right up with the run rate. Although Seaford kept chipping away wickets, Nick Rogers falling for a good 31, the rate continued and at 122-4 with 13 overs left to get 64, the game was well in Blackboys hands. For some reason though, panic seemed to set in and Blackboys tried to force the pace, John Britton (10) fell, then skipper Gary Funnell was run out for a duck followed by Chris Turner (47) to an excellent stumping by Owen Edmonds. From Blackboys position of strength, the game changed completely and now Seaford had the upper hand, which they never let go of. A couple of wickets for Jonny Brown (2-28) and the excellent Justin Squires (3-17) who had also ran out Funnell with a direct hit, ended things off when Colin Eade (18) was caught after two massive sixes. Seaford running out the winners by 26 runs.

A good all round display from the Seaford lads, but it wasn't hard to see where the man of match award would go. Justin Squires for his 68no, 3 wickets and a run out. He even went home happy for a change!!!

Seaford 30pts - Blackboys 8pts

Scorecard

Author: Jon Milham