Sunday 9th August
Fowey 126 (R Bennetts 67, M Bennetts 28, P Ingerson 5-27), St Erme 104 (T Bunt 24, D Sanchez 4-15, J Wood 4-24, I Lutton 2-23)
Fowey gained 18pts
Saturday 8th August
Fowey conceded
Saturday 4th July
Fowey v Torpoint (home)
Fowey recorded a much needed win to boost thier league position and ease any relegation fears. With the first XI away to Lanhydrock the seconds were strengthed by the inclusion of Sanchez and Watts. The visitors to the windmill ground were Torpoint, traditionally a tough match and so it proved. A quick straw poll saw the majority opt for a bowl first and on winning the toss this was granted.
Sanchez opened up and soon took the edge of dangerman Nobes, only to see it put down in the slips, a difficult chance. Nobes wasn't to get a second chance as Watts took a simple catch at deep gulley soon after and when Dawes followed, cheaply, caught behind by Gary Jones off Will Tinsley, Fowey were well on top.Then followed a good stand between Adams and Hutson with both batsmen getting into the 30's before being removed by Tinsley and Watts respectivley. again the Fowey lads excerted good pressure in the field with good allround contributions, Dave Smith looking particularly lively. Wickets continued to fall, one of which to a middlewood catch made all the more extraordinary by the fact he had taken his mobile with him to field and was on the phone during a Watts over, managing to break off the conversation long enough to snap up the catch at point. Incredible stuff. Some hard hitting down the order ensured torpoint reached a fourth bonus point, totalling 162 after 48, with fowey claiming 8 wickets with good bowling performances by all.
Skipper for the day Smith sent his batters out in the knowledge that if we took our time and batted our overs we would win. However the fowey boys just dont play that way and Rob and Will set about the torpoint attack with confidence, scoring at six an over with wonderful shots all round the wicket, a swivel pull by bennetts being the pick. Tinsley passed the dreded 20odd as the opening partnership passed 80 before falling for 41. Smiling spaniard Sanchez arrived and departed as did Bullock soon after as Fowey pushed passed 100. Watts joined Rob at the crease and devoured the bowling of baines sending him round the park, 19 off one over before holing out in the deep going for another big hit.
Bennetts passed 50 in a wonderfully controlled innings before unluckly paddling the ball into the keepers hands,a good catch. Jones and kellow were now at the wicket with 20 needed. the sight of the smith brothers putting pads on is never a pretty site but with the younger of the brothers pacing up and down wearing out the grass in front of the scoreboard, kellow and jones saw the lads home with some well placed shots, kellow finding the mid wicket ropes with ease.
An excellent win for the seconds who will travel to liskeard next week in good spirits while welcoming back some top order players. Special mention to Chapman and Middlewood who both contributed and to Will Tinsley who after many seasons at the club finally prepared a track and cut the outfield ( albiet having to phone Dave Danchez several times in starting the mower!) Rumour has it he was offered 15 quid???
Torpoint 162-9 ( S Adams 38, L Watts 3-25, M Bullock 2-28, W Tinsley 2-49), Fowey 164-5 (R Bennetts 55, W Tinsley 41, L Watts 24, C Baines 3-41)
Fowey beat Torpoint by 5wkts
Saturday 20th June
Fowey v Luckett II (away)
Another saturday arrived and another band of merry men took to the road in the name of fowey 2nd xi, a side changed more often than rafa's finest. the boys were in good spirits as they left the windmill ground for the long trip to luckett with dave smith behind the wheel for his second game of the season, his first being away to torpoint! Rumour has it he is pencilled in for bude away already, thus clocking up more driven miles than mark bennetts has in 10 seasons. With luke chapman and steve knight making appearances once again the boys arrived at a sun kissed luckett wondering what lay in store for them. Captain for the day smith won the toss and elected to bat, pinning his hopes firmly on the Rat, in his final game, and the in form tinsley to boost the innings. Gary Jones accompanying Rat to the wicket with orders to drop anchor and play the support role, promptly smashed his first ball to ropes but then reverted to type playing solidly at one end while rat found the boundry on regular occasions, moving swiftly onto 28, all in fours. The opening stand was broken when rat played over a straight one with the score on 44. Enter tinsley who continued to progress the score at over four an over as foweys total headed towards an impressive total. Jones then fell LBW having done a good job for the team with the score on 68. Wood and lutton both shared good stands with tinsley helping the total past 120 before smith partnerd tinsley past his fifty in a stand of 33 before tinsley fell to a good catch on the ropes, out for 65. Chapman added good runs down the order as fowey finished on 187, an excellent effort given the number of batsmen missing. After a good tea where the main topic of conversation was a young ladies skin issues, the boys took to the field.
What followed was a strangely subdued performance, partly caused by a series of near misses as the luckett boys hit hard and arial, pete spilling a real tough chance at mid on, where in fairness he did well to keep his fingers intact. Wood bowled well once again without any luck, at the other end lutton, like many before him at luckett,struggled with the slope and was replace by tinsley. Meanwhile behind the stumps, rat was wearing gloves clearly doctored by the opposition with sun cream, as the extra piled up. The openers were playing well but spirits were kept up by chambers stopping a second run then kicking the ball for four, nutmegging the on rushing lutton in the process. Steve knight then entertained by falling over nothing in the outfield while giving chase to leather. Smith tried lutton at the other end and the playboy initially struggled with his famous side strain whilst conceding a boundry but a series of dot balls later and the injury had healed, lutton settling in to a much improved spell, a sign of the social hand bombs maturing nature. He got his reward with a caught and bowled wicket and when wood removed hoskin caught by pete the g to his obvious delight, fowey had secured a 5th point. All that remained was for chambi to turn his arm over and delight everyone by ripping one square to have his man plum LBW thus debuting on play cricket.
That was it, a worthy effort and onto the local derby with town. With some big guns back and with Knight at the helm im sure a good result is imminent. Top end chambi?
Saturday 13th June
Fowey v Bude II (home)
Cost price night at the cc, but before the evening frivolity there was a game of cricket to win and the second team, who are more unpredictable than Ollie Mitchell on a night out at the moment needed a victory. Bude were the visitors and they have been in wonderful form, unbeaten the whole of last year and have started this season in similar fashion and with Fowey nemesis De Rosa in the ranks, this was going to be tough.
Into the side came Luke Watts who spent the morning on Harbour patrol and playing his last game before his journey to the land down under the Rat !!!! Once the skipper for the day had inevitably lost the toss the seconds were fielding which is what they would have done anyway.
The wicket was like concrete and opening up, the injury carrying Rat found ridiculous bounce early on , one bouncer clearing the batsman by about 6 feet! But struggling with a bad shoulder (uncle Nick?) the rodent struggled with his line and the young Bude opener who looked an absolute class act played some wonderful cover drives.
From the other end the much underrated Stevenson bowled like a dream, moving the ball away from the right hander he continues to improve and his nagging line kept things in check.
From the top end things had to change, and with the first bowling change came the turning point of the whole match, enter the Playboy! What a spell of bowling, linging it down like Malinga he was unplayable and doing a brilliant job behind the stumps the one footed Ginger Ninja suffering from an infection (that’s what you get if you do things like that at Butlins!) had to be on his toes sorry toe.
Quick as a flash both openers had gone, both bowled by the impressive Lutton and almost immediately 3 and 4 were in the hutch also victims of the Fowey based lothario. Brilliant stuff from the Fowey boys but all the while there was De Rosa to come, striding to the wicket in the 10th over he had plenty of time to bat and with a hundred to his name last week this game was still not over. Things looked ominous early on as he heaved Stevenson for 4 but then he was gone, brave bowling by Stevenson who continued to bowl his line and a wonderful catch by Watts saw for the Bude danger man.
The Fowey tails were up and hunting for a 5 for Lutton then produced possibly the worst piece of sledging ever seen at Fowey, having got another victim snicked behind the Play boy danced down the track arms in the air but the loud shout of no ball followed quite rightly from the umpire “how many lives do you want bat” was Luttons ridiculous chirp at the batsman, as many as you want to give me with no balls was his reply, village from the social hand grenade.
He made amends 3 balls later as he deservedly picked up a 5 for and with Watts and Bullock picking up the remainder the Bude innings came to a close and the seconds were chasing 101.
With 4 pm showing on the clock the potential for an early start up in the bar was always going to prove messy for the evening but there was still the small matter of 101 to get. With a top six of Rat Bert Tinsley Knight Bullock and Watts there was a confident air about the Fowey run chase but as usual they were to make very hard work of it! Knowing he had to contribute after bowling like a drain Rat opened the batting and looked good, and with Bert showing his class at the other end things were looking good, queue the collapse! After hitting a wonderful six the shout from everyone in the pavilion was the next one will either be six or out for the Rat , sure enough he was bowled by Tony Scown who amazingly is still playing at the age of 103.
An entertaining performance from the Tavern barn Tornado but not half as entertaining as his evening ahead….. Almost immediately Bert was out, again picked up by Scown and Tinsley and Knight were at the wicket but not for long as Knight was shot down by Stevenson having got more wood than B&Q on it. No matter, surely Watts and Tinsley who has more gobble than a Turkey Farm, could finish the job? Not to be as Watts, despite hitting the ball well was out caught.
With 30 still needed and with Smudge thinking about putting his pads on, Bullock too was out, completing his happy day with a duck, bad times for marvelous Marv. Tinsley remained however and saw Fowey through to within 4 for victory with some fine stroke play but trying to claim victory by hitting one into the school he succeeded only in hitting it straight up and was out, Tinsley out caught for “20 odd” I’ve never heard that before!
It was perhaps fitting that the final say should be with Lutton, who carved De Rosa through midwicket to win the game by 5 PM , it was like the good old days of div 8 east as the team were in the bar by 5.30, all that was missing was leach,Taylor and Quantick with a bottle of Metz (good times)
A brilliant win then and a much needed 19 points for the seconds who had finished a bottle of apple sours, a box of Rose and most of the Corona by the time the first team had returned from their shock defeat in the clay.
What followed was an evening of much hilarity at the cc culminating in Rat drinking Diesel, the boy is wrong.
Bude 100 (I Lutton 5-18) Fowey 103-6 (R Crapp 23 R Bennetts 23 W Tinsley 20 odd).
19 Points.
Saturday 6th June
Fowey v St Erme (home)
Fowey turned to their third captain in eight games this season as st erme visited the windmill ground on a grey overcast day. A look round the dressing room ensured that fowey needed to bowl first and this was granted despite losing the toss. Wood and stephenson opened up and after a loose first few overs and some strong hitting from the st erme openers settled down into a good rhythme. The first wicket fell in the eleventh over as bullock took a great catch in the covers off the bowling of stephenson. Smith turned to the bowling of bullock who bowled a nagging line as fowey continued to press and drag the game back. Runs were a rairity as wood bowled an astonishing 29 dot balls in row in a marvellous spell of bowling which yield no luck and no wickets. At the other end the bullock was having little luck either. As the batsmen played and missed, he fell to his knees more often than tinsley at butlins. bullock finally got the wicket he deserved when lutton took a wonderful catch in the deep to dismiss wilkinson at drinks. The second half progressed the same as the first with tight bowling and spirited fielding especially from pete the g and stevie k. Stevie k then bowled a tidy spell to calim three wickets as st erme set fowey 174 to win.
The batting line up looked a bit light but tinsley and bullock strolled to the crease after a fine tea in good spirits and set about the st erme attack. Unfortunately bullock fell early and the victory looked a distant dream. Fowey continued to lose wickets to good bowling but tinsley was soon into his groove and boundries statrted to come thick and fast and keith smith was well employed scouring for balls in the bank. Will finally found support in the shape of stephenson who batted sensibly and finished unbeaten on 18. The two took the score onto 120 in a stand of 67 with some explosive hitting and stout defensive play. St erme turned to their slower bowlers and this proved key as fowey became bogged down and tinsley was bowled looking to progress the score, ending a fantastic innings of 77 from the ginger gobbler. The tail did not wag as the game fell away from the home side, and when pete the g was bowled round his legs it signalled the end of a spirited effort, all out for 128.
A good performance from this young side which is improving steadily, two or three extra batsmen and a little more experience may have turned the result their way and the team can move onto next week in some confidence.
Sunday 31st May
Fowey v Liskeard II (home)
A blazing hot day at the windmill ground and the visit of an in form Liskeard second team who had the previous day toppled league leaders town.
With the whole club to pick from it is a little embarrassing to say the least that the seconds at ten to two only had 9 players but luckily had 11 players in the end with club legend 66 year old Gordon Joslin coming to our aid, once again many players at the club with a cant be bothered attitude.
New Captain James Starkies first toss was an unsuccessful one and with a wicket like concrete and lightening outfield the seconds were fielding with Iran Lutton and Dave Sanchez opening the bowling.
Lutton, a real find this year continues to impress, swinging the ball away from the right hander he had it doing loads and has the right attitude to boot at the other end as usual Sanchez was toiling away with little luck.
The openers were looking good with Hyslop junior in particular playing his shots the 50 was up in no time and another long afternoon in the field was on the cards. After a couple of near misses and a certain snick behind the introduction of Rob Bennetts from the bottom end proved a successful one, the last time Rob bowled at Fowey Gossips was still open ,Chris Knight was thin and Jon Snell was still in the county, as you can tell, that was a long time ago! Rolling back the years Bert beat the bat regularly and his fine bowling was rewarded when he dismissed Hyslop well caught by Sanchez.
This bought the hard hitting young left hander to the crease who was immediately dropped caught and bowled by Woody, the returning poker king from Saturday who drove 5 hours for one hand looked drained, hopefully his energy will return for this weekend! The score pushed on and with the bowling not really penetrating Liskeards score edged over the 200 mark eventually making 256.
Foweys reply got off to the worst possible start as Gary Jones, in good form of late, got a second baller, bad times. Knight at the other end continued his resurgence scoring mainly through the mid wicket area as usual in the mean time Mitchell had been and gone with his usual caught at mid on innings and thing were looking poor!
Dave Sanchez was next in and what form this man is in, fresh from blasting 70 odd on Saturday he continued in this vain from ball one although his new bat doesn’t sound the best! Knight eventually departed bowled and Starkie new a captain’s innings was needed if the total was to be anywhere in sight and a fantastic partnership followed.
Quick running and intelligent stroke play were the feature as the deadly duo put on 112 in 19 overs, a great partnership that gave the Fowey boys hope until Starkie was eventually out playing one shot too many for 54. Sanchez remained and with him the hope of the team, Rob Bennetts once again picked the best fielder in the opposition out and he somehow clung on to an amazing catch, bad luck once again for Bert and Lutton, the last recognized batsman was at the crease.
The target was down to 7 an over and Sanchez was still hitting sixes and now onto his third bat of the weekend! Unfortunately for Bullock this would be his last as he split it! That will teach him for buying cheap imported rubbish! Now in the eighties Dave looked on for a certain ton however as quick as a flash the innings and Foweys hopes were over as he was caught going for a boundary.
A wonderful innings from the smiling Spaniard and a weekend in which his batting form has returned, look out for the rest of the season!
Lutton did his best to go for it hitting two brilliant sixes and once again Wood was switch hitting trying to go for it at the end but the game ended with the team agonizingly short.
A good effort then and a special mention to Gordy who at the age of 66 still fielded like a 21 year old and cemented his place next to Pebba in the Fowey cc hall of fame.
Liskeard 256-7, Fowey 236-7 (C Knight 30, J Starkie 54, D Sanchez 88, I Lutton 22*)
Saturday 30th May
Fowey v South Petherwin (away)
No team raised for game, conceded to South Petherwin for nil poi
Monday 25th May
Fowey v Callington II (away)
After a wonderful win on Saturday and survival Sunday over with the seconds, like the Toon army next season were making their way towards Plymouth.
Callington was the destination and with the first team in the premier league their second team playing in a lowly div 4 always seems a bit ridiculous and this was to be the case as the afternoon unfolded.
Playing such a strong team you always have to be at your best and so the missing Stevenson and Tinsley would always be a problem , having once again lost the toss it was with some trepidation that the team took the field.
Playing on a wicket that was within spitting distance from the top boundary and 4 miles from the bottom, field placing was crucial and the skipper let his team down to be honest with a poor afternoon in charge. Dave Sanchez bowled like the wind off 4 paces up the hill and there was little sign of the carnage to follow when he picked the opener up caught and bowled with a sharp return catch.
From the top end Wood again toiled away with little reward and was very unlucky not to get at least 1 LBW, all the time the score pushed on at a fast rate with the other opener playing his shots and getting some luck along the way. Lutton replaced Wood and again bowled his heart out with some reward, picking up 2 brilliant wickets that his effort deserved , every batsman scored at a fast pace however but at 24 over drinks and only being 130 -3 the team were happy, the opener had earlier departed to a fantastic catch by Pete the G, a brilliant effort in the deep and he was the best fielder on show all day by far.
Unfortunately as the team learnt last year, Callington bat right down the order and with ex Cornwall and premier league player Colin Kitt coming in at number 7 it was to be a long day! In short he smashed it miles! Taking every bowler apart despite some great effort but poor fielding Kitt showed his class. At the other end his young partner also played well surviving a clear run out he to hit some big sixes.
As the score approached 300 and with Kitt now on 70 odd off about 30 balls he finally departed to the hard working Bullock caught superbly by Lutton.
A depressed changing room at the interval then, as the target of 310 seemed miles away and as Bennetts and Knight walked out to bat a fast start to say the least was needed if anything was to be gained from the day, but things began to turn as both openers went for it from ball one. Knight hit 4 fours in his first over and Bennetts in hard hitting mood at the other scored very fast and at 70-0 off 12 overs the chase was on! This changed in an instant as amazingly Bennetts picked the only fielder in a 500 yard space on the bottom boundary and he somehow clung onto an absolute skier, this changed the game totally as momentum was lost, Knight went into his shell finding it hard to score and with Starkie doing his best at the other end to push the score on he fell to a caught and bowled.
Sanchez was next down the ramp and he was victim to the most bizarre dismissal of the season, knowing he had to get on with it Knight smashed a straight drive right at the bowler who somehow deflected the ball onto his stumps running the unlucky Sanchez out! Very harsh.
There was a brief ray of hope as Bullock again looked in brilliant touch, again hitting sixes at will his from looks fantastic but he was to be the victim of poor running from the skipper who hit one straight to cover but Bullock had already set off and was run out.
As Knight brought up his 50 and disappointed by what had happened previously he attempted one shot too many and was caught going for a 6 on the boundary , a return to form then but pretty slow!
Gary Jones and Justin Wood showed him how it should be done with Jones in particular batting superbly well, maybe a return to form for him as he notched a lovely 30, Wood at the other end playing reverse sweeps was great to watch as the 220 was brought up and a brilliant attempt was at a close.
If ever you can have a ‘good defeat” this was it as 9 points were gained, there is no way Callington should be playing in this division and they were far stronger than a few 2 east teams and so the Fowey lads performed admirably.
A difficult afternoon then but one to learn from as the team look forward to another double headed this weekend.
Callington 301-9 (M Bullock 4-83), Fowey 220-8 (C Knight 62, R Bennetts 32, G Jones 34*, M Bullock 25)
Saturday 23rd May
Fowey v Newquay III (home)
A beautiful afternoon at the Windmill ground and the visit of an unpredictable Newquay side who had beaten league leaders St Austell the previous week and a near full strength second team lay in wait. The ground looked a picture with the return of the triple mower making a big difference, apparently Biggs had spent 3 months looking for a part, Mark Bennetts has had this problem for 30 years!
Stevenson and Wood were back in aswell as the reliable Starkie to complete a balanced and competitive line up for the first time this campaign, with the rumour that the Ginger Ninja Tinsley is due to return next week things are looking good for the second 11.
Having lost yet another toss it was pretty obvious on a dry hard wicket that the Newquay lads would have a bat and so it proved and in the blink of an eye play was underway with the Spaniard Sanchez steaming up the hill and Woody bowling his away swingers down.
A breakthrough came early, with Jelbert prone to the cut shot Starkie was ideally placed at backward point and the experienced Newquay stalwart duly obliged, Starkie holding on well. 1 down 9 to go.
Once again there were amazing scenes during a second 11 fixture as what appeared to be a dead person was keeping wicket, the team from Britain’s most haunted duly arrived on the scene but on closer inspection it was decided that the person was actually alive and his name was Gary Jones, play continued.
Wickets continued to fall, with Sanchez as usual never bowling a bad ball and Wood bowling better with each over. Time for a change though and this brought the unpredictable Lutton to the fray. There was immediately a breakthrough but not through good bowling but brilliant fielding from marvelous Marvin Bullock, picking up the ball on the run he threw down the stumps with aplomb and the young opener was gone, super fielding that.
Lutton was bowling well, with a mixture of swing and pace he beat the bat regularly and looks a real prospect this year, the breakthrough came as he dismissed the danger man Willet straight after drinks, a good reward and a sharp catch from the Rob Bennetts. Sanchez continued to toil and deservedly picked up a wicket.
Lutton picked up another soon after, and after a succession of no balls his day was over, a super start to the season for the Playboy. This bought a double bowling change with Sanchez having completed his spell being replaced by Stevenson and Lutton being replaced by Bullock.
This proved an immediate success with both bowlers in superb form. Stevenson got it to swing miles from the bottom end having 3 wickets all snicked behind, great bowling and Bullock with his little in duckers again in fine fettle picking up a couple towards the end, great stuff all round and the twos were chasing 114 to win.
What followed was to be a culinary delight and the best second 11 tea ever seen in the Pavillion, Pizza, Garlic bread, millionaire slice, brownies, cake, Pringles, kettle crisps , the list goes on rumour has it that Jamie Oliver was on teas for the day, this has yet to be confirmed.
Going out to bat the new opening duo of Knight and Bert knew it would be easy as Newquay had skittled town the previous week but this was not apparent in Rob’s batting has he whacked it everywhere in typical cavalier fashion. Knights traditional poor May continued as he was bowled from the bottom end bringing run machine Starkie to the fore.
Bennetts continued in hard hitting fashion but one swipe too many saw him stumped for 30, a good start and he will be looking to convert his 30’s to 50’s over the next few weeks.
Sanchez followed and in typical fashion smashed it from ball one, hitting 3 crunching fours in a quick fire 15 before being cleaned up in similar fashion to Knight, at the other end Starkie continued serenely on his way.
This bought Bullock to the crease in care free mood, and he promptly hit his first 3 scoring shots for 6! Looking in great form this continued with a rapid 30 to win the game.
A really good win then and one that put the team in good heart as they faced the strongest team in the league on Monday at Callington where things were to take a turn for the worst………
Newquay 113 (C Archer 25* C Stevenson 3-21 M Bullock 3-2) Fowey 114-3 (R Bennetts 30 M Bullock 30*)
20 Points.
Saturday 16th May
Fowey v Gorran II (away)
There was depressing news for the Fowey boys pre game at Gorran as both Luke Watts and Dave Sanchez were struck down with a deadly disease caught only by people living in Fowey, the cantplayaway virus is thought to be highly contagious and we wish them a speedy recovery, face masks will need to be worn by all people attending nets. Amazingly this disease always surfaces about 12 hours before a game.
Having been away from Fowey for a sufficient period amazingly Rat & TC had escaped the disease and were drafted in at late notice , Rat keen to get the game over with as in the evening he was cooking a meal for his family and friends, a seafood feast was on the cards including Mussels and scallops with salad and crusty bread, the rest of the lads commented that chorizo is always a good option with scallops and with this on board Rat continued to plan his feast as the afternoon unfolded, rose or white wine?
With food on his mind and a quick finish needed the Tavern barn tornado charged down the hill after the skipper finally won a toss and inserted the opposition much to Will Sykes disgust , “Knight you flaming gala, the olds are bound to suss” was his comment upon hearing the decision, but after throwing another shrimp on the BBQ the Kiwi began to keep wicket with all the enthusiasm of Pebba in a pasty shop.
From the other end and into a force ten gale Darren “beefy” Full again bowled some super stuff, beating the bat on regular occasions it was a really good start from the away side with everyone fielding well. The breakthrough came with Richard Ramsey Crapp getting one to skid through and the opener managing to chip one up to a diving Ollie Mitchell at cover , this brought Gorran danger man Hurrell to the crease.
He didn’t last long as Crapp , who by now could taste his seafood sauce pushed one through only for it to be skied and Justin Wood took an amazing running catch, looking at least 4 stone lighter than last year and in brilliant shape Woods fielding has really come on and this was yet another example.
Gorran were in trouble now and with Crapp and Full being replaced by Wood and Bennetts the bowlers continued to excel. The young Gorran opener was still there however and he looks a very good player, playing very straight he continued to push the score on as at the other end Hearn played some shots.
Then the heavens opened and the players retreated to the dressing rooms to discuss the evenings plans, Belarus were the overwhelming choice of the lads for the Eurovision crown with Lutton preferring the Ukraine, nobody could have predicted a fiddler from Denmark would take the crown, apparently he was only playing as the Austrian fiddler was unable to attend. An early tea was taken.
After a nice tea of sandwiches and cake the experienced tea campaigners were treated to a late arrival Pizza in the Gorran clubhouse , younger members had already departed but the veterans in the side knew a cooked option was always on the cards and so it proved.
After the restart and having lost 12 over Gorran didn’t really gain any momentum and despite some more good shots form the left handed opener his partners came and went in the reduced 36 over time frame. Mark Bennetts bowled superbly into the wind and up the hill picking up 2 wickets and playing his first game of the season TC got the ball to zip though at a pace and also picked up a wicket , a thoroughly good performance all round then and the small total of 86 to chase.
Having proved himself to be the best wicket keeper in the club(Mcnair?) Sykes was now keen to show off his batting skills on a good wicket and he certainly did that in the overs that followed. Knowing he had to be back at the pavilions by 8 as he was watching Boyzone in concert the man from Perth smashed it everywhere, justifying his world record transfer fee. At the other end the shed dwelling Mitchell also looked in good touch as the total was chased down in a ridiculous 15 over’s, Sykes finishing on an amazing 63 out of 86! Brilliant stuff and hopefully the sign of things to come. It was a good job that no wickets were lost as the 3 and 4 duo of the Crapp brothers somehow managed to ruin 4 bat grips whilst trying to put them on TC’s bat, crazy scenes.
A brilliant victory then and with more new signings on the way for the bank holiday period hopefully the club can continue to progress well.
The evening ended with a successful meal for all concerned cooked by the seafood master Rat, apparently his the inclusion of Chorizo went down a storm and all the lads at the CC are looking forward to more delights on Mcanirs George Foreman grill over the summer months.
Gorran 86 (D Semple 38*, R Crapp 2-11 M Bennetts 2-17) Fowey 86-0 (W Sykes 63*, O Mitchell 21*).
18 Points
Saturday 2nd May
Fowey v Torpoint (away)
It was more in hope than expectation that the second 11 travelled towards the Tamar on Saturday , with a record of played 8 lost 7 tied 1 at their rivals home the Torpoint ground hadn’t been a happy one for the Fowey boys in recent times and today was no different.
A mixed 11 made the trip, some experience in the unpredictable Mitchell, hard hitting Sanchez and the skipper but also some returning legends principally in the shape of Dave “f’ck off mike” Smith, it was great to see this club legend with his whites back on , the Torpoint lads would definitely need to keep one eye on him.
The team was completed with Kevin danger Grainer being kidnapped from his Par based abode and smuggled up to Torpoint before he even knew what day it was, it was to be a mixed day for the boozer from Blaise as he saw more of the inside of the Torpoint toilet than the ground itself.
For the second week in succession the toss was crucial, and for the second week it was lost and the team were inserted on a wicket greener than TC when Karen speaks to Snell, a bad start. It didn’t get much better as Knight and Mitchell struggled to get to grips with the green wicket and unpredictable bowling Knight out first caught trying to pull and then Mitchell seeming well set gave it away chipping to mid off in familiar fashion.
Sanchez again looked good before being caught in the deep (dejavu?) and Bullock playing his first game of the summer never really looked in any sort of form and was duly out caught. Full, returning to his former club and copping some dog’s abuse from the highly intelligent slip and keeper came and went and the innings was in disarray .
Once again it was down to Iran Lutton to provide a fight back, starting off shakily it looked ominous for the playboy however he settled down and once again showed he really can bat, playing straight and watching the ball he again looked very good cracking a beautiful four through the covers along the way.
The experienced Andrew Smith joined Lutton and was caught bringing Anthony “white Jaysurai” Chambers to the crease. A 30 partnership followed, with Chambers whacking the ball around the park and Lutton continuing to bat well under pressure a fight back looked on before Lutton chose the wrong ball to hit and was caught, the end of a super little cameo. Chambers continued undaunted and looked in super form , particularly strong off the back foot. Dave Smith got a good one at the other end and was bowled and the innings drew to close with the resilient Chambi finally being knocked over. The score of 107 was the target for the Torpoint lads.
After a wonderful tea including Pizza and butterfly buns (2 must haves on the dream cricket tea itinerary ) the Fowey lads took to the field knowing some early wickets could change everything. Opening the bowling Sanchez and Full were crucial and both bowled beautifully, Full in particular showing why the club broke its transfer record to sign him over the winter months bowling a fantastic spell. He picked up the Torpoint opener with a brilliant leg.
Fowey 107 (O Mitchell 19 I Lutton 17), Torpoint 10