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They
don't get much tighter than this, and this was one hell of a climax,
albeit in the Troon gloom, approaching 9 o'clock in the pm when DCI
Higgs held his nerve to bowl the final delivery of the 96th over of
the day, but hold his nerve he did and victory came the Roasters way,
much needed after last week!
After a damp
morning the Troon covers revealed a dry, hard wicket which looked
good for batting, and so it proved to be after the initial overs,
the only problem being Port had lost 4 wickets by the time those 'initial
overs' had passed! Kev 'Run Machine' Oliver fell, just 95 short of
his first ton of the season with the score on 11, PC Higgs somehow
LBW as he walked down the wicket and flicked to leg, Ronnie Williams
bowled for 7 and Neil Bartlett bowled after a rapid 15 , 4 down with
just 32 on the board.
Paul 'Lardy' Combellack always seems to score runs at Troon, and pushed
up to bat at 5 proved he loves the ground beginning slowly, but gradually
building speed, increasing his strokes as the partnership began to
grow with Martin 'Crispy' Duck, himself promoted after an aromatic
47 not out for the 2nds on Saturday. Soon they were into their stride,
seeing off the impressive opening spells of Moyle and Richard White.
David Jenkin was introduced, an experienced head to break the partnership,
but it didn't work, and as his pace increased with his frustration,
the pair just seem to find the boundaries that much easier to come
by, Crispy driving Jenkin through the covers time after time, backing
up his claims to his skipper since Saturday's knock, 'I told you I
could bat'!
The pair were brutal on the bowlers, punishing anything short or slightly
over pitched, the partnership lasting from the 10th to the 44th over,
frustrating Troon and giving Porthlevens four bowlers a chance they
thought they'd never see. Crispy was given out LBW at one point, a
ridiculous decision as he'd clearly hit the ball, but was sportingly
called back by the Troon players.
After a great tea, The Roasters took to the field in fine sprits,
eager to get amongst it, as is their way! Williams and Jenkin began
steadily against the openers, 'Crispy' and 'Chicken'. With Bradley
Bury and Adam Young having to drop out before the game, Port had just
four bowlers, so it was roll up sleeves time and get on with it! In
the 9th over, Dave ' Mallard' Goodchild took the catch to remove Williams
for 12, four overs later Combellack taking a wonder catch, diving
to his left from 2nd slip to take a one handed screamer!
With 'Jaffa' Bartlett brought on at the top end, bowling with great
pace, Thomas was trapped LBW for a single, another dubious decision
but it levelled things up a little at 78-3. David Jenkin's seen this
all before and he was the perfect man to come in, and the one Porthleven
knew they had to remove.
The next 24 overs brought no joy, Parish and Bartlett bowling straight
through, the fielding was superb, Troon a large pitch, so much more
so with only 10 men again! Determination and support for the bowlers
never dwindled though, and the reward eventually came, again shortly
after Jenkin was 'caught' off a full toss no ball, the batsman walking
after being given by the standing umpire, square leg pointing out
his error! He was called back, but just a few runs later was caught
by Higgs off Crispy, 167-4 with 7 overs left.
With runs hard to come by the pressure built, and try as he might
Jenkin was repeatedly kept off strike with some keen fielding. Stephen
White was caught behind by Ronnie Williams, who stood up to all four
bowlers all day, only conceded one bye, his only blemish missing a
Jenkin edge off Parish, but that won't be mentioned as he had an amazing
game, saving his team runs as well as allowing for a more aggressive
field.
Richard White was bowled by Higgs and at 203-6 with 47 overs gone
it was going to be tight! Denkin managed two 2s off the first 2 balls,
but just a single off the next left Melissa Rowe on strike , a couple
of singles then saw a sharp run out, Higgs and Williams combining,
leaving Moyle to try and hit four to win. Higgs held his nerve, hit
the sticks and Port came away with the spoils of an incredible game,
a cliche maybe, but cricket truly was the winner in this hugely sporting
contests in all senses of the word. Troon will be welcome visitors
at Porthleven, thanks for a great game.
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