Match 4 - Selsey 1st XI v Portslade 1st XI

Venue: Selsey
Match Type: League
Date: 30/04/11

After all the anticipation, build up, excitement, winter practice and pre season friendlies the league season started at home to Portslade, a team regulated last season from the division above. Skipper Nick Horner had scheduled an earlier than usual meet time for 12noon to accommodate a pre match net session. The team also received a boost with the news classy performer Karl Walton was in the side. Walton only featured in one league game last term and wasn't expected to play this season due to work commitments. His appearance prompted the inevitable ''get every Saturday off work'' or ''can you play every week?'' comments lead by the nagging skipper.  Walton's inclusion was a timely one as regulars and key players Adam Davis and Tim Fewster were expected to miss at least the first half of the season.

After the pre match net session, which was a hit with the players, the toss was lost by Horner and Selsey were made to bat.  The wicket was expected to be bowler friendly early on following rain the night before. One surprise to the batting order was Tom Amis' promotion to number 4.

Openers Andy Horner and Jacob Miles (as the Portslade scorer described one as small, bald and left handed and helmet-less and the other tall right handed and with helmet - no offence was intended) looked steady early on with the only scare being when Miles got a leading edge chipping the ball into the off side where it was fortunate the ball landed safe.  Horner worked the ball effortlessly off his legs as the Portslade bowler up the hill struggled with his line to the left hander. The pair looked comfortable and well set with quick running a particular highlight of the partnership. It was quickly discovered that the pitch was playing low and you needed to be on the front foot.

The first bowling change came down the hill with Lisher coming on. He was an old campaigner who was well known by the more experienced Selsey players.  Miles was his first victim as he swiped across a full toss and was bowled, not before playing a nice lofted straight driven 4. He fell for 29 with the score on 66-1. Lisher continued to bowl tight lines after this and Horner was next to fall being caught behind the wicket for 23 and all of a sudden both openers were gone.  Walton at 3 and Amis at 4 followed shortly after. Nick Horner was then ran out for 0 after a mix up with his batting partner and brother Pete and a direct hit from the Portslade fielder at mid on. Selsey had lost 5 wickets for 13 runs and were struggling at 79-5. 

There was no real recovery made by Selsey and their innings, despite a good solid start, ended on 125 all out. Credit must be given to Tom Cripps for ensuring two extra bonus points with sensible batting at the end.  Lisher was the pick of the Portslade bowlers with 3 wickets for just 13 runs off 11 overs.

At the tea interval it was clear Portslade were the happier of the two sides and Selsey were slightly dejected to say the least.

The new ball was taken by Pete Horner down the hill and by Josh Stocks up. Early wickets were needed if Selsey were to have any chance of winning and that is exactly what Stocks provided removing the Portslade opener in his 2nd over.  This was only the start as a few overs later Stocks took two wickets in two balls, celebrating the second with a run right up the batsman who he had just dismissed for a golden duck in typical Stocks' emotion and aggression. Unfortunately for Stocks he was unable to complete the hat-trick. Portslade were 3 down with only about 20 runs on the scoreboard and 126 now looked like a tough ask. During all this Horner was replaced down the hill with skiddy bowler Amis who was sure to be a handful on this wicket. However Stocks' remarkable effort only got better when he took a 4th wicket.  Selsey were now playing with real belief. Stocks was only allowed to bowl 8 overs in a spell due to league restrictions but his amazing figures off  8 overs 4 wickets for just 6 runs had given Selsey a real chance.

Tom Cripps was now operating from the bottom end with his off spin and Amis down the hill. Stocks and Miles discussing in the slips prior to Cripps' first over spoke about his nag to take a wicket in his first over and the pair felt almost like mind readers as this is exactly what happened when he bowled the Portslade number 6.

The Portslade innings was capitulating very quickly and they needed a good partnership quickly.  Their number 7 looked as if he was to do this still 70 or so runs off the target. He hit a few boundaries and was scoring quickly.  However Amis removed the batsman at the other end and this was quickly followed by another Cripps wicket before the drinks break - but the danger man was still there as Portslade were 80-7 needing another 46 runs.

Following the drinks break a suicidal run was taken by Portslade and skipper Nick Horner was quick to collect the ball and underarm it to keeper Walton to whip the bails off.  The Portslade number 7 then tried to heave Amis over mid wicket for a huge shot and was bowled.  Selsey were on the brink of a remarkable vicotry.  The Portslade number 11 (who probably didn't think he would be needed to bat) lasted just two balls before chipping the ball to mid on (Challenor) off Amis' bowling to spark joyeous celebrations from the Selsey players.  Amis finished with 3 wickets and Cripps with 2 as Portslade were bowled out for just 88. It was a low scoring game with just over 200 runs scored in 2 innings the highest scoring batsman scoring just 29.

 It was a fantastic victory for Selsey and celebrations continued as James Amis bought the whole team Jager and the bottle was gone quick as a flash as the team drank shots in the changing room.

The blogger doesn't want to take away anything from any of the players involved in what was a great team effort but a particular mention must go to Stocks for his bowling display and this will surely be an early contender for performance of the season.

A great start to the season from Selsey as they earnt 24 points from a possible 30, despite getting just 4 points in the first innings. 

Selsey: Horner N (c), Horner A, Miles, Walton (+), Amis T, Horner P, Stocks J, Amis J, Christy, Cripps, Challenor.