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After the frustrations of the previous weeks weather it was good
to just get on the field, and although low scoring, it proved to be
an entertaining game, with Crofty made to fight for every run before
finally coming away with the spoils.
Porthleven asked to bat first, had to face Lee Caddy, fired up with
the new ball and perfect bowling conditions - hard wicket, humid conditions
and swinging like a 'car key' party. Luckily Crofty had a 'keeper
who couldn't catch, but the slips, some of whom looked to be standing
in the car park, were kept on their toes, but local tramp, Ronnie
Williams (Jnr) and Neil 'Jaffa' Bartlett, battled away before the
tramp was bowled by Williams wth the score on 15. JJ Walker decided
to come in and attack, and it worked, as the runs began to flow, admittedly
many of those in byes, but they all counted, 39 were added for the
2nd wicket before JJ was caught for 26.
Without further addition to the score Jaffa fell in the 14th over
for just 4 singles, although he'd supported well and battled for his
runs. 'Run Machine' Kev Oliver was next to go, followed by Adam 'thinks
we start at 2.30' Young, 70-5. Martin 'Crispy' Duck and Colin 'Doyle'
Lee then made some hay, taking the score up to 113 and looking like
a decent total could be on the cards but it was not to be, as the
last 5 wickets fell for just 4 runs and 14 overs unused.
In reply the Caterpillars slowly accumalated their runs, passing 60
without any alarm before the change of bringing Walker into the attack
paid off, Williams taking the catch to remove Mankee. Suddenly the
mood changed, Crofty appeared nervous and the Roasters had a spring
in their step. Bradley 'Halle' Bury was bringing out his full boz
of tricks, keeper Williams again in amazing form behind the sticks,
another masterclass from the 8 stone gloveman, who wears an extra
layer of clothes for each year he's played the game, but it works!
A great catch behind saw Jason Weeks walk after getting a feint edge
off Walker, a sporting gesture as that was the only was it was going
to happen. Bury then denied the clearest LBW possibly ever, the batman
totally bamboozled by Bury's swinging ball, stepping back in front
of his stumps, playing no shot and hit bang in front, 'not out' the
verdict as Shears started to walk, then casually walking back to resume
his innings!
The runs had now dried up, and the pressure built. A short extra cover
was put into place for Walker, 2 balls later he was taking the catch
to remove Shears for 39 and it would've taken all the other 10 players
to pull Walker off now, the bit firmly between his teeth, chances
narrowly avioding fielders, but 'I don't need a slip' Bury was next
to get in the act, having Damien Trease brilliantly caught at slip
by Duck for just that, 0.
Walker wasn't finished, refusing to surrender the game he bowled Fenton
for 10 before Caddy came in and tried to attack from the start. It
looked to be working until Bartlett was brought back, immediately
bowling Caddy for 10. 6 down and the hundred still hadn't been reached.
Eventually it was reached with a Walker 'wide', just a shame Porthleven
don't have such a luxury of an umpire (if anyone fancies the job????!!!.....)
Crofty though, had the luxury of Julian Osborne as their number 7,
and he took the attack to Porthleven, playing a fine cameo, eventually
seeing his side home, but not without a severe fright. The Catterpillars
have a very strong side and won't lose many this year, but they knew
they'd been in a real battle and if Port bowl and field like this
for the rest of the season they'll win more than their fair share
too.
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