Haywood and Gilbert are class acts as the Bards lose the plot!

 

Rowington travelled to Stratford Bards II on Saturday and yet again lost the toss and were inserted into bat.

 

It didn't take long for the Bards captain, Paton, to yorrick, sorry, york fellow skipper Scott Rogers for a single but Clive Haywood was punishing every loose ball. He was joined by Tommy Jefferson who also capitalised on some very poor bowling and they moved the score up to 96 before Jefferson (39) played around a straight one from Paton again. Simon Cross joined Haywood and they really picked up the gauntlet as they charged to 210 before Haywood finally gave up the ghost and was bowled for a superb 83 runs, easily beating his last two years' efforts added together! Alex Smith didn't last much longer as he went for 10 but Eike Gilbert came to the stage and played the supporting role with Cross and together they guided the Rs to 269 with Cross 71 not out and Gilbert 12 not out. Extras 56!

Paton 2 - 33, James 1 - 34 and Paton Jnr 4 - 41 the only wicket takers.

 

In reply Scott Rogers turned to the old striking partnership of Steve Jay and Eike Gilbert, Jay bowling his usual tidy line and length whilst Gilbert took all the plaudits and grabbed the wickets of Duguid, Malone and Wright with none of them reaching double figures. Andy Shaw came on to replace Jay (after his 7 overs resulted in a miserly 15 runs) and soon had the other opener, Russon, back stage for 19. Gilbert continued and grabbed Landra for 4 and then Paton Jnr went first ball as Gilbert grabbed a five for!

Shaw then had Rothby again for 4 and the Bards were reeling. Leon Clarke came on to replace Gilbert and, despite some rather unorthodox bowling, managed to get Arun caught and bowled for 10 and then Skipper Rogers came on and grabbed Rob for 6. Clarke then finished it off with the final catch aptly being caught by Baldrick (Blackadder would have been proud!) as the Rs proved a class act ending the Bards play for 76 all out.

Gilbert a fine 5 - 16, Shaw 2 - 21, Clarke 2 - 15, Rogers 1 - 3, alas poor Jay 0 - 15!!!

Gilbert left the ground happily puffing on a cigar.......Hamlet perhaps??

Steve Jay