Provender

Match Report

It is a real privilege to play cricket at Provender, although our host, Graham Smith, tends to select his invitation side to win. On the strength of the 2009 Straggler showing he drafted in Martin Saggers, recently of Kent and England, to give his attack a bit of zip. Straggler openers, Patrick Mitchell and Charlie Munton were undaunted, and set off at a gallop. However, the wicket, usually full of runs, proved to have a bit about it and runs became harder to find as the day wore on. Charlie was undone off a top edge, which brought Jasper Smallwood to the crease, in response to which Saggers was introduced to the attack. Unfazed Jasper clipped him of his legs for 4, and continued in similar vein for an excellent 35. The middle order struggled to pick up the pace with Patrick and Jasper gone, even with Nigel Snape, appearing again with a dodgy hamstring, employing Jamie Lavers as runner to secure a few unexpected singles. The Stragglers closed on 173 for 5 off their allotted overs.

Jamie struck early with the ball, which brought in a big hitting Aussie. However, after 2 monster sixes off Charlie, Hugo Snape removed him before he could close out the game early. The Provender runs slowed, the target seemed to grow in size, and the pressure mounted, but a dropped catch and just too many loose balls allowed Provender to sneak home with 11 balls to spare.