Provender

Match Report

Three days later at Provender, Hugo was determined to reverse the sequence of close defeats, which have been a feature of the Provender fixture. This time, batting first, the line up lived up to its billing. Al Smallwood tucked in first, reaching a half century in double quick time, falling in the 10th over with 78 on the board. James Grant, more circumspect initially, picked up the pace on the way to 62. Jasper, in at 5, finished matters of with some ferocity, eventually run out in the final over for 69. A total of 248 for 6 put down a meaningful marker.

Provender, however, were not fazed; they had plenty of batting and were looking forward to tucking into the Straggler buffet on an excellent wicket. Hugo and Harry P kept the openers in check, and Hugo then did them both, but the second catch went to ground. When the same bat was dropped twice more as he marched past 50, it looked as if the well worn aphorism would apply to Straggler fielding once more. Provender lost another couple to Munton and Mitchell, but were still up with the pace and cruising. Hugo gambled with the third change, but the gamble paid off, and in 5 overs the game was all but over as a contest. Theo and the Chairman picked up 3 apiece; 145 for 3 became 149 for 8 and it was only a matter of administering the last rites. Provender subsided to 171 all out, an excellent first victory.