BFCC v Box – Saturday 6 July – Match Report

It was a day to forget for the Saturday XI after being bowled out for a measly 97 at Box on a wicket that may not have been the run-way to what the batsmen have become accustomed to at home, nor was it the minefield the batsmen made it look! At 13/5 it looked as if the club record low score of 26 was under threat (Saltford Fairway, sometime in the 90s!) but thanks to a superb stand of 48 between vice skipper Morris, and our sub-continental superstar Ashwin allowed us to at least put a score on the board. When Morris fell for a combative 13 nobody could support Ashwin who went on to make 54*, an innings of grit, determination and outstanding concentration. Embarrassingly at the end of our innings the tea hadn’t arrived so we agreed to play for an hour.

It was known that a monumental effort would be needed for us to win the game, and when Box had 14 runs from 15 overs the impossible was on. Both Morris and Newman gave the batsmen nothing to hit and really showed their class. Unfortunately, luck was against us with inside edges missing stumps and catches not quite carrying. This luck truly didn’t mirror the efforts of all of the bowlers; Wood, Warren, Malhotra and Ellis all bowled with heart with few rewards.

There was one moment of magic towards the end of the Box innings and a moment that could eclipse Ross’ slip catch a Churches or Sam’s flying catch at Goatacre….Shreyas took a catch of a life time off the bowling of Nathan Warren at long off, it was such a shame it wasn’t under better circumstances but still a catch that we’ll be talking about in years to come.