Refreshers v Slinfold – September 2016

We had an excellent game on a beautiful day in Sussex. Sadly we came up short but there was some good cricket played by the Refreshers.

The heavy rain on Saturday made for a very lively track with lots of variable bounce. We lost the lost and were asked to bowl first. Our opening attack of Finch and Shiv bowled some hostile stuff and we quickly had them three down for 50 odd, runs and wickets coming quickly. Their numbers 4 and 5 batted well and by drinks at 20 overs they were 120 for 3 – par at that stage looked like 250-270 with their batsmen well set.

We then bowled and fielded well in the second half and bowled them out for 211 in 35 of their 40 overs. Some excellent off spin from Jory taking 3-41 and a mixed bag of all sorts from Long, but taking 3 wickets as the batsmen were deceived by the demons in the pitch.

We were very chipper at tea as we tucked in to the cake and sarnies in the marquee.

The pitch remained difficult through our innings and didn’t quite flatten out in the way we’d hoped – at least that’s what we told ourselves. Edwards and Finch put on 40-odd for the first wicket but then a collapse ensued with Finchy, Stewart and Long all falling cheaply. Jory hit a few good blows and was looking good before going LBW for 16. Edwards then followed for 44 and the rest is history – all out for 135. A late Harry/Olly Wise cameo made it respectable including a 3 smoked boundaries from Harry. But Slinfold bowled well and we did not look like getting close.

A good game nonetheless and a decent end to the season for the Refreshers.

Michael Edwards