12 JULY 2009
HAVERHILL SUNDAY FIRSTS VS ACTON.

Haverhill Sunday firsts deservedly lost their first game of the season on a cloudy but sunny day. Joe Woodley won the toss and elected to field on what looked a green and lively wicket. Opening bowlers Russell Davis and Joseph Kettle bowled well but with little luck as Garner and Underwood moved the score onto 39-0 off 9. Davis made the breakthrough bowling Underwood with a sharp in swinging delivery. Sullivan replaced Kettle and nipped out Phillips for 8. At l63-2 the Acton innings could have gone either way. Unfortunately, Acton’s batsmen pushed on thanks to some dreadful fielding and awful attitude from Haverhill. Woodley struggled to make an effect and Rinaldi was expensive. Dean Sharpe made the crucial breakthrough with his first ball, bowling Garner for a well crafted 54, however, Cooper pressed on to contribute a match winning 72. Woodley returned to pick up a couple of wickets and Davis claimed the prize wicket late on of Cooper. Acton had amassed 223 on a flat wicket and fast outfield, however, it was extras and poor fielding which had been the downfall of Haverhill, not top class batting.
 After a fine tea, Rob Sullivan made early inroads into the Acton total. Proctor fell, however, to Opening bowler French and Haverhill were wobbling. Worse was to come when Phil Dingley, Davis, Michael Rinaldi and Dean Sharpe all fell in quick succession to less than satisfactory shot selection. This left Haverhill 48-5 with 30 overs still remaining. Skipper Woodley joined Rob Sullivan and these two put a partnership of 55 in 17 overs in a job of rebuilding. Sullivan incidentally had earlier retired hurt with a sore back, so his eventual contribution of 57 was a grand effort and innings of exceptional heart. Woodley battled on with Wilkins, once Sullivan fell, and these two put on 63. Overs had ticked by and Wilkins unselfishly perished tring to score the remaining runs as did Kettle and Zaib. Woodley brought up his first half century of the season after plundering the bowling of Garner and Fisher but it was not enough. Watkins finished 6 not out and Woodley 51 not out. Haverhill finished 41 runs short on 182-9.

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