Round 2: 20 and 27 October 2018 vs Clovelly CC at Rowland 2
After a first round bye, the Apaches First XI got its season off to a start with a solid 4 wicket win on first innings in its two day match against Clovelly CC.
Clovelly won the toss and elected to bat in Week 1, and Foley struck with his first ball of the season to have Clovelly 1/0. However, a slow but steady partnership saw Clovelly put on 111 for the next wicket.
Sujee bowled brilliantly without luck, but it was Isaac Williams who dismissed both the set batsman to break the partnership and open up the innings. Bryan Seymour returned for his second spell and ran through the middle order, taking 5 wickets in the process. Sammuri also took 2 wickets in an economical spell, with Clovelly collapsing to be all out for 187.
The demise of the Clovelly innings required the Apaches to face an awkward spell late in the day. With a threatening storm cell approaching, Stu Branch and Al Yap held out the Clovelly attack for more than half an hour in dimming light and despite distant lightning to remain unbeaten at stumps.
Conditions in Week 2 could not have been more different and were ideal for batting (including some assistance from Jim’s Mowing). Al and Stu resumed their innings and were looking set until some questionable running saw Stu short of his ground on 17.
Watto opened his scoring with a 6 and, assisted by some wayward bowling at times, set about chasing down the Clovelly total. At the other end, Al had his eye in and was punishing anything loose. The pair put on 122 for the second wicket, leaving the Apaches just 24 behind the Clovelly score when Yap was dismissed for 46. Watto followed him from the field shortly afterwards, having been caught for 76 just prior to tea.
Unfortunately, Mark Horvath and Apaches debutante Joe Cleaves were both dismissed shortly after the break. However, at the other end, the other debutant – Ben Harrison – displayed some fine stroke-playing before being caught on 17 with scores level.
Isaac hit the run to take the Apaches ahead, albeit lofted through the hands of a Clovelly fielder, and shortly after the match was called off with the Apaches at 6/198.
It was a solid win first up for the Apaches First XI, with a tight fielding performance in the first week supported by some confident batting in the second.
The Apaches Second XI also had a first innings win and were close to securing an out-right victory: that match report will be up later this week.
1st Inns. – Clovelly CC won toss and elected to bat
Bryan Seymour – 5/56 from 19 overs
Isaac Williams – 2/13 from 7 overs
2nd Inns.
David Waterson – 76
Al Yap – 46