Castle Rising – 31st July 2022
On an overcast , damp day, WNCC were given the opportunity to bat first being the away team. This was gladly accepted by the WNCC Captain after last year’s comprehensive win.
The start was delayed by 30 minutes as the covers were removed and water drained off. Once all of the team had turned up (usual suspects!), play began.
The batting order was in order of age , starting with the youngest, which meant Alfie Wilson and Shalto Hunt led the way.
The two youngsters played very well and put on 50 for the first wicket, an impressive start. Once they departed for scores of 23 and 32 respectively, WNCC batting order rather fell away with the “Latitude Trio” of William Everall , Charlie and Harry Bidwell still suffering and failing to make much of an impression in the scorebook. There was also a delay for rain which did not help.
Harry Thompson then played well for his 23, but it was Nick Morgan, who has surprisingly only batted at no.10 for Gresham’s 1st Team , who propped up the innings and made an impressive 68.
WNCC’s total of 186 in 40 overs seemed like a good score after last year’s triumph.
In came Castle Rising, who started off well, helped by some dropped catches and missed opportunities. Castle Rising put on 75 for the first wicket and were suddenly “in the game”. Conditions were improving and , with the sun shining , batting conditions improved further and Castle Rising started to close in on the WNCC score. Despite some impressive spin from Harry Thompson (5 – 13 – 1) and pace from Harry Bidwell (3 – 12 – 1) , it was Alfie Wilson who nearly brought WNCC back into the match (5 – 2 – 11).
All in all, a very good match which went to the last over. We managed 40 overs a aside on a rain affected day (despite continual moans from some in the WNCC camp who wanted to reduce the overs and get home early for whatever reason!).
John Everall
