So near yet so far......

 

Rowington entertained near neighbours Norton Lindsey on a lovely sunny Saturday, a great contrast to last week's washout!

 

Electing to bowl first the Rs captain, Scott Rogers, and opening partner, Steve Jay, managed to get some good swing and the Norton openers, Richardson and Ashley, struggled to score. It wasn't long before the frustration got to them and Richardson (4) edged one to keeper Tom Jefferson off Rogers. Jay joined the party a couple of overs later with his prayers being answered, as Dale Glover was underneath one off his bowling and he, unlike others, pouched the catch - Ashley (4) and Norton were 14 for 2. The sun then came out and the ball stopped swinging so, with the score on 50 off 15 overs, Jay and Rogers retired and Andy Shaw was joined by Glover. Shaw found his line quickly and, despite a terrible decision from square leg umpire who adjudged Ashley (J) not out even though his foot was still on the line (that's out by the way!), he bowled Ashley two balls later and it was 58 - 3, but Morgan was cruising. Walter came in and added a couple before lobbing one up to Tommy Williams and Shaw had another - 68 for 4 and it was looking good for the Rs.

Unfortunately, Morgan started to gain the upper hand and, with the streaky Aussie McInnes edging his way to a score, Norton were doing well. Morgan passed his ton with a boundary and a fine innings, McInnes passed his half century and then amazed all by hitting a boundary in front of him, his first decent shot of the day. Clarke then came on to bowl the 43rd over but struggled against Morgan who, with McInnes, had added 24 off the over, but McInnes then went on 67 caught by Alex Smith off Clarke, a partnership of 183 and Norton were on 251 for 5. Glover came on for the penultimate over and went for 16, Jay returned and, with Haywood's help, ran out Morgan for a fine innings of 155. Jay also grabbed Curral (7), stumped by the agile Jefferson, and the score ended on 278 - 7.

Jay 2 - 44, Rogers didn't want to come back and ruin his figures and so ended 1 -15, Shaw 2 - 48 and Clarke 1 - 66, the wicket takers.

 

With such a high target a good start was needed and Alex Smith and Scott Rogers added 45 before Smith (15) gave catching practice and Culverwell had a wicket. Rogers was joined by Matt Page and they moved the score to 72 when Rogers (43) copped a grubber and was bowled, again by Culverwell. Page continued and, together with Simon Cross, they kept the Rs ahead of the run rate, putting on 102 before Page got caught off Morgan for a fine 51. Cross continued and, with Tom Jefferson finding some form, pushed on to 222, until Jefferson got stumped for 21. Tommy Williams added a brisk 12 but got bowled by McInnes, 258 for 5. Glover needed to hit out straight away as the Rs needed 21 off three overs - he went for it off McInnes's pies and, unbelievably, missed, bowled. Jay was sent in next to try and get a much needed boundary. McInnes lobbed yet another one up, Jay connected and it was heading towards a man on the long on the boundary.....would it go over his head? NO! Jay was caught on the boundary with no runs and McInnes had somehow got a hat-trick. Haywood joined Cross and they got the Rs to 273 with 6 needed and 6 balls to do it.

Cross padded down the first two balls, even though the field was up, saving a single. Then McInnes yet again lobbed a pie up, leg side, Cross connected - it was going for six to win the game but there was a man at deep square leg. Would he reach it?........YES! Cross was caught on the boundary for 95 with no runs scored. Haywood then got a single, 5 needed off 2, McInnes bowled it leg side, Shaw hit it,  Haywood ran and a wide was given. 3 off 2, next ball and a big swoosh from Haywood but no connection. 3 off 1, another swoosh and another miss, Shaw ran but Haywood couldn't make it and the Rs were left 3 short of victory on 276 for 9.

P Ashley 1 - 39, Culverwell 2 - 25, Morgan 1 - 19, and McInnes 4 - 5 (God knows how!!).

A close game that the Rs should have won. McInnes would have won the lottery that night the way his luck went. The Rs just need a little bit of luck and things will change, a great display by all players and victory can only be around the corner.

 

Steve Jay