Cirencester Cricket Club > News > July 2006 > Weekend bulletin

Weekend bulletin
Monday 10 July 2006

At the Park, the First XI produced a much improved bowling and fielding performance to restrict Tewkesbury to 204 for 8 in their 45 overs, with nearly half the visitors’ runs scored by overseas player Tarun Nethula (95 not out). The highlights for the hosts were very economical spells from young seamers Tom Putney, James Denyer and James Constable, 3 wickets for Ali Bray’s off spin and a superb direct hit run out from cover by Constable. However, this good tea-time achievement had come at a high price with skipper Andy Reynolds visiting hospital with damage to the ligaments supporting his spine and Constable struggling with a back problem. 

However, Cirencester got their innings off to a good start with Nick Rutter (22) and Bray (57) putting together a half century second wicket stand at close to a run a ball. Then disaster struck again when Bray twisted and sprained his ankle, an injury that will see him sidelined for up to 6 weeks. He bravely continued with a runner and, while the flow of runs inevitably slowed, 89 for 2 was still a strong position at the end of the 21st over. Tewkesbury, though, were slowly clawing their way back into the match and the fall of a couple of wickets brought the defining moment. As Constable slowly made his way to the wicket, the umpires ruled that the laws of the game meant that he was unable to use the runner that he so clearly needed. At a time when Nethula’s leg spin had been introduced into the attack, consolidation was the requirement but Constable’s difficulties constrained the batsmen’s options, forcing them to look for boundaries. Constable hit two sixes but Nethula took the initiative and his 5 for 19 led Tewkesbury to an almost single-handed 34 run victory.

In the return fixture, the 2nd XI batted first in a low scoring match. A second wicket stand of 67 between David Shackleton (30) and 15 year old James Gilchriest (38) set an excellent foundation but later batsmen were unable to capitalise. In the Tewkesbury innings Jon Turner led the way with a miserly 12 over spell returning 2 for 18, well supported by Dominic Jeffcott’s 4 for 19. However this was insufficient to prevent a home team victory by 1 wicket with 11 balls to spare. 

The Friendly XI played three home matches over the weekend, and notched three very solid victories. On Friday, against West London tourists Ploughmans, Andy Reynolds (134), Dan Hudson (52) and Simon Rowe (42) helped post an imposing total of 293 in 40 overs. Opening bowlers Carl McQueen (3 for 2) and Denyer (3 for 16) then had the visitors struggling from the off and Cirencester ran out winners by over 170 runs.

On Sunday, the Beaudesert Rats scored 234 from their 40 overs.  In reply, a second wicket stand of 89 between brothers Rich (88) and Dan Hudson (51) set the tone for a five wicket victory that was rounded off in the 35th over with some lusty blows from 14 year olds Hugo Price and Tom Dykes. Also on Sunday, Ploughmans’ scheduled opponents were unable to raise a side and so the Park saw a return fixture that provided the perfect opportunity for Tom Burgess to achieve his maiden century.