Once again, the 2s rocked up to Cryfield for their 3rd game of the season, with a very strong side packed with dropped first team players. Rumours of our opposition being one of the best sides in the league, their chat however at the opposite end of the spectrum.
Stilo won the toss and sent Worcester out into the heat with Taylor and Tim quickly following out to start the innings. Taylor was just as quickly back to the hut as he snicked off first ball of the game to Worcester’s answer to Curtis Rose. In strode Randall hoping to make it to double figures for the first time in his BUCS career. The bowling was inconsistent as many wides flew past their makeshift keeper, leaving UWMCC on 21 for 1 off the first 2 overs, with only 5 off the bat. Tim played some fine cut shots and Joe scratched around as the score ticked along, but a couple of quick wickets brought Millman to the crease, declaring to Worcester that the 2 batsmen had been dropped from the 1s, much to Randall’s annoyance as he had finally got them to shut up. Joe was caught on the boundary for 26, the ball never getting above head height, whilst Millman struck the ball sweetly. Roachy’s math skills got the better of Millman, as premature applause for the half century caused Louie to misjudge the flight of the ball, getting bowled on 49. Another Roachy mistake caused more grumbling in the field, as the cups were unable to be found, Stilo running to Rootes to save the day, when in fact they were just under a jacket. Good stuff. What followed was a master class in how to finish off an innings. Worcester brought on their spinners, allowing numbers 5 to 10 to cash in. Jonny Hall hit 2 big sixes over cow and Fussey got in on the act scoring a very quick 42, only just beaten by extras who scored 43. Piers, Jacob, and Probert all chipped in. A brilliant batting performance allowed 276 runs to be got from the allotted 50 overs, a massive total as 225 was felt to be a very defendable target.
Their innings started in much the same way, with Roche and Fussey bowling with excellent control. An inspired fielding change brought the first wicket for Fussey as their opener chipped it to Tim at midwicket. It was obvious that the Worcester social sec had managed to organise a golf day, as the batsmen came out swinging from the start. Very little runs came though as Roche (1 for 31 off 8 and Fussey (1 for 14 off 6), along with Stilo and Randall, fizzed the ball past the outside edge with outstanding consistency. Probert dried up the runs from his end taking 3 for 25 off his 10 as the required run rate started to climb. Worcester’s 5 and 6 put on a handy partnership with the latter hitting 51 before they both were caught by Millman after many fallen chances. Hall and Roche wrapped up the innings causing the lower order batsmen problems, Jonny finishing the match with a dirty long hop straight through their number 10. Worcester finished on 178, a huge 98 run win for UWMCC.
All in all a very good performance from start to finish from the lads, with high intensity fielding keeping the pressure on throughout.