Twenty points ….. Back to 3rd ….. Fact
Fillongley put last week’s annihilation at the hands of Handsworth out of their minds with a convincing 8 wicket win over struggling Southam.
Chris Hill and TJD were drafted in for Nighty and Ben, while Pro returned to the side in the absence of Shawn. Fillongley won the toss and for the 80th consecutive occasion were off for a spot of fielding.
Southam’s aggressive start failed to pay off as Junior removed Goatley who skied a drive to cover where Barber took a comfortable catch, number three was back in the hutch shortly after caught behind off Andy Moore, Junior bowled tightly with 4 consecutive maidens until the pressure told with Edom driving a beautifully crafted half volley to point where Reg took a sharp catch. Southam were reeling at 31-3 at this point, and more wickets were to follow as Webby snaffled Nelly and the Bristol Pistol despatched opener Bramley around drinks after a hostile spell. June also claimed his second victim leaving Southam in the precarious position of 75-6 with the tail looking nervous.
Dwyer and Upton stepped to the crease and some hard hitting and dubious square leg umpiring allowed Southam to resurrect their innings and a tricky total looked on the cards, a few bowling changes however did the trick and Webby wobbled one through to bowl Upton for 30, followed immediately by Russell, who may have been suffering from a mild case of pad rash, leaving a hat-trick for the taking. June removed Dwyer next over for 42 leaving Southam 9 down and Webby’s hat-trick ball in jeopardy. The hat-trick ball was fended off by the tail-ender who could then do nothing to prevent the trigger finger being called into action 3 balls later. A total of 145 all out in 44 overs.
Reg and Chilly strode out to the middle after the interval and looked solid from the off. A total of 20 for none off 10 overs is a score not yet heard of in Fillongley and was received warmly by the on looking middle order. Reg looked solid with a few interesting leaves, deciding to just hoof the ball to cover instead of let it go by. Barbs who was dropped to number 5 after a lack of form failed to show any form with the ball and was convincingly beaten in clockwise and anti-clockwise rounds of flaggyballyrolly, Barbs, widely renowned as the best fielder in the division was not thought to have taken this well, let’s hope for a return to form next week.
The openers looked solid and by the time Reg departed, bowled by Goatley for a nicely played 40 in the 21st over with the score on 69 and the opposition looking flat, the game was effectively won. Chilly continued to bat nicely and became the first opener this season to pass the 50 mark with decent support from pro. Fillongley’s second wicket fell with just 14 required. Aaron Blackmore strode to the wicket and hit the winning runs with a nice pull through square leg for a convincing 8 wicket victory and a welcome return to the upper reaches of the table.
A great result and a great 20 points which will gear us up nicely for a spot of one hand one bounce against Pickwick Next Week!
Binger