1st XI make losing start to league campaign

On winning the toss Alvanley elected to bat on what looked a good wicket. The weather was set fine and the outfield looked fast.

Hopes were raised in the first over when Fowler breached Charles defence to bowl him for a duck. However, Rowlands & Basson knuckled down and played Alvanley out of trouble with a 63 run 2nd wicket partnership. Basson looked tentative at first but grew in confidence the longer he batted. Rowlands was dismissed for a well-played 40, lobbing up a soft catch to mid-wicket off Chidambaran who was not at his best in a short spell.

Rowlands dismissal brought Reid to the crease. He was given the benefit of the doubt on an Lbw shout off Brown before he had scored and then batted positively for 69 (including 11 fours) in a stand of 113 with Basson. Whilst these two played straight it was difficult to see where a wicket was coming from.

As the innings progressed, Reid took one chance too many against Brown and was bowled. In seeking quick runs Timperley regained a little control on the run rate and Alvanley declared at 234 for 7 off 50 overs. Basson out for a well-played 3 hour long 80. The pick of the bowling being provided by Fowler who sent down 11 overs, 3 maidens, 2 for 19.

In reply, Timperley’s top order were kept in check by Alvanleys attack of Charles & Mallows. Kulkarni fell first, strangling Mallows on the leg side to the wicket keeper for 8. Harms was then also caught behind to leave the innings at 19 for 2. Matthews (13) & Fletcher (12) looked to rebuild but both were out on 42 to leave the innings in difficulty at four wickets down.

Galley & Rizvi knuckled down to score a partnership of 113 that gave an outside chance of victory with both playing well, Galley looking fluent with Rizvi in a supporting role. Rizvi was then out, caught for 30 off J.Ecclestone to make it 150 for 5. Galley continued to bat well hitting two enormous sixes but was out for 85 (11 fours) trying to slog the reintroduced S.Charles over mid-wicket to make it 185 for 6.

With any realistic chance of winning the match now gone it would be normal to expect a battening down of the hatches to obtain a draw. However, this was not the case and some strange shot selection and play by the tail saw 185 for 6 turn into 194 all out.

A disappointing end to a game that should have been comfortably drawn.

Alvanley 25 points, Timperley 6 points.