Haverhill Cricket Club

Match	Haverhill				v	Clacton II
Date:	24-Jun-06
Result	Haverhill won by 9 wkts

Innings Of	Clacton II						Innings Of	Haverhill

Grosvenor	c.Godwin				b.Youngs	55	Winter	Not Out					85
Vine	L B W				b.Sullivan	4	Youngs					b.Facey	16
Sargent	c.Youngs				b.Dellar	42	M.Wilkins	Not Out					37
Facey	Not Out					28	Dellar
D.Coyle	c.Godwin				b.Youngs	3	D.Wilkins
Comber					b.Youngs	6	Godwin
K.Coyle	c.Godwin				b.Youngs	4	Street
Walker	c. &				b.Dellar	0	Poole
Kirk					b.Dellar	0	Wallis
Lee					b.Dellar	1	Sullivan
French	c.Dellar				b.Youngs	0	Woodley
					Extras	4						Extras	10
					Total	147						Total	148
				For all out							for 1 wkts

Bowling	O	M	R	W			Bowling	O	M	R	W
Sullivan	11	1	47	1			Facey	6	0	31	1
Poole	5	1	22	0			Coyle	9	1	43	0
Woodley	3	0	31	0			Comber	7	1	36	0
Youngs	12	5	28	5			Walker	3	0	19	0
Dellar	8	1	17	4			Kirk	1	0	11	0
							Lee	1	0	4	0

Opening the bowling was Rob Sullivan (10 overs 1 for 47) and Dan Poole (5 Overs o for 22). Although an early breakthrough by Rob Sullivan with a swinging full pitched delivery which claimed one opening batsmen LBW, Clacton then steadied themselves and produced a good partnership of 80 before the game needed to brought back under Haverhill�s control. S Youngs (11.5 overs 5 for 28) was brought into the attack to turn the tide. Simons tight bowling with varied pace and length began to apply pressure from his first over. Ably supported by Adam Dellar (8 overs 4 for 17) who�s improved off spin also proved too much for Clacton�s frail batting line up. Three well-taken catches by Dave Godwin was also a highlight of the afternoon.

Due to the pressure applied by both Adam and Simon wickets began to tumble without runs forthcoming Clacton where in trouble when they lost 8 wickets for 36 runs.

With 147 on the board Clacton had to attack. They did so through the use of opening with a spin bowler and placing three fielders around the bat. The attack was brief and didn�t faze either opener Simon Youngs (16) and Neil Winter (85 N.O). Uncharacteristically Simon played around a half volley trying to punch a drive through the vacant Mid-On position, bowled. His timing and ability to firmly play the spinner into gaps was a pleasure to watch. 1 for 25.

Martin Wilkins who has played a specialist-batting role this year was the man for the job. Batting at number 3 his patience, running between wickets, good technique against spin and general attitude to the task before him was crucial to pushing the innings onto a successful outcome. A solid defence and strong driver of the over pitched delivery are trademarks of Martins batting, this innings had a splash of something different. On a wicket that didn�t provide a lot of bounce Martin still found the opportunity to play some aerial shots. Much to the delight of the crowd and younger team members.

Neil Winter (85 N.O) looked solid and proved a cut above the rest. His ability to punish poor bowling was once again on display. At times it almost looked pedestrian to Neil as he carved up most of the bowlers yet played in a controlled fashion to the tight bowling opening spin bowler. A very good well constructed innings.

Confidence in the side is high at the moment but I must stress that the second half of the season is going to be harder than the first. I have experienced situations similar to the one we find ourselves in where we have come through with eight out of eight wins. As the team to beat we no longer have any real surprises for our opposition, they know we bat well and we have a formidable bowling line-up that can take wickets and restrict runs. Our game, the way we play, our confidence in one another and most importantly our positive attitude all needs to step up another gear.

70% of cricket is played above the shoulders, its not just the best players that win, it�s the winning mentality and the ability to drive home an advantageous situation that puts you above the rest. When you have the opportunity to finish a game you do it quickly and without fanfare.

Although entertaining on the weekend, the opposition tried to unsettle our opening batsmen by doing some sort of team synchronized exercises between deliveries when they had the chance. To our credit, specifically those batsmen at the crease at the time, they kept their mind on the job at hand and passed the oppositions score at one wicket down.

Synchronized exercises belong in the aerobics class. Besides I haven�t touched my toes in 20 years.

Next Sunday Haverhill plays a practise match against Cambridge U17s. If your interested in seeing the future of grade, county or even international cricket come down and see us on Sunday for 2:00PM start.