Match Report

2nd XI vs Taunton 3rd September 2005

Cheddar 2nds 190-7 beat Taunton 187-9 by 4 runs.

Cheddar cemented third place in the league with a close finish at Taunton. Choosing to bat first on a rock hard wicket , Cheddar got off to a superb start as Gary Balkham and Nick King took 60 off the first 10 overs. With a lightening out field, King was in his element gliding the ball through the covers whilst the belligerent Balkham was merciless on anything loose. Slow left armer Master secured a breakthrough in the 15th over drifting one back to bowl Balkham for 32. Skipper Kent followed in almost identical fashion soon afterwards and when King (44) was well caught at mid on Cheddar had slumped to 89 for 3 off 23 overs. Dave Phillips and Bron Purkiss restored some momentum. Phillips (37) played impressively off his legs twice drilling Master through midwicket for 4 whilst veteran Purkiss (15) recaptured some form easing some pleasing drives through the covers before being bowled behind his legs. Veteran Steve Russett drove Master for 6 before holing out to Hitchcott leaving it to Che Moore (14no) and teenager Ben Stacey (15no) to pick up a 30 off the last 5 overs.

Taunton's reply also got off to a good start with Baker picking up two fours in Russet's opening over but as Russett and Richard Purkiss found their rhythm runs were less hard to come by. Russet induced Pattemore to chase a wide one to give a catch to 'keeper Stacey but Taunton started to look ominous as they progressed to 60 for 1 before Nick King caught and bowled Master in his first over. With the mesmerising Moore exerting a stranglehold from the other end, Taunton came under increasing pressure. Good fielding by Richard Purkiss saw the run out of Hooper (38) before Moore bowled opener Baker for 33. Manley was also run out thanks to excellent fielding by Paul Phillips and with Moore, Balkham and Mike Amos turning the screw, Taunton began to fall behind the rate. Needing 30 off the last 3 overs, Hitchcott launched into a counterattack and took Taunton to the brink of victory hitting the first ball of the last over for 6. But with 11 still needed off the last 5 balls, bowler Balkham kept his control to see Cheddar home.