Venue: Woodford Wells Club
Format: 40-over Friendly Match
Having won the first toss of the season, Southgate’s new 1st Team Captain, James Dangerfield, put Woodford Wells into bat.
Woodford Wells Innings:
Southgate’s day in the field started well with George Bloyce producing a booming in-swinger taking the opener’s leg stump out the ground! Woodford Wells rebuilt, sitting at 103-3 at drinks with James Dangerfield taking 2 wickets together thanks to sharp catches at slip and point from Christian McLoughlin and George Bloyce respectively.
After drinks, Kazi Hasan, just 16 years old, decided he had seen enough and began to bowl with remarkable poise and skill, striking to remove the Woodford Wells number 3 for a well-made 53. Kazi continued to bowl with control and maturity, finishing with figures of 3 for 28 off his allocated 8 overs.
Arthur Bloyce, George’s older brother, chipped in with 2 crucial wickets, before George returned to take his second of the day, Southgate applying pressure just when the hosts looked to accelerate.
At 153-9, the visitors looked well in control, only to see the Woodford Wells young number 9 strike a quickfire 27 taking Woodford Wells to 192, before being dismissed by the Southgate skipper, thanks to a quick stumping from Scott Ellis in the last over of the innings. James finishing the innings with figures of 3 for 29 off 7.4, an all-round great performance in the field that will truly set the tone for the season.
Southgate Innings:
Chasing 192, Southgate couldn’t have asked for a better start. Rory Miscampbell was in glorious form, dominating the early overs with timing and power, with a couple of “bombs” along the way, to put it in Rory’s terms. Mustafa Mirza partnered him with a composed 32, and the side reached 105 for 0 at drinks, cruising in all honesty.
But after the break, Southgate fell victim to the familiar post-drinks slump, losing momentum just as the pressure mounted. Wickets fell just as the required rate ticked up. The Woodford Wells spinners bowled well as Southgate collapsed to 159 for 5 with Rory falling just 4 runs short of a early season ton. Trudging off with his 96 runs under his belt, Rory was quick to inform James that he isn’t around until the 12th July, make of that what you will…
Scott Ellis made a steady 23 and looked as if he were to be the man to take Southgate home, only to fall to an impressive caught and bowled from the Woodford Wells returning opener.
Despite the young tail-enders’ best efforts, it wasn’t quite enough to see Southgate over the line falling just 4 runs short with George Bloyce requiring 6 off the last ball of the innings.
A great performance to kick off the season, one which all 11 players should be proud of. Some very good signs to take into our next pre-season fixture vs Potters Bar at The Walker on 26th April.
Bowling Highlights:
Kazi Hasan – 8–1–28–3
James Dangerfield – 7.4–1–29–3
Arthur Bloyce – 5–0–24–2
George Bloyce – 8–0–46–2
Fielding Highlights:
Christian McLoughlin – 2 catches
Scott Ellis – 1 catch, 1 stumping
James Dangerfield – 1 catch
George Bloyce – 1 catch
Batting Highlights:
Rory Miscampbell – 96
Mustafa Mirza – 32
Scott Ellis – 23