Match Report
2nd successive ton for Cound as 2nds win again
Avoncroft 2nd XI continued their good form with a win away at Kempsey, however this was overshadowed by the news of Kempsey play Sam O’Neil suffering a head injury in the reverse fixture and all from Avoncroft wish him a speedy recovery.
Kempsey won the toss and elected to field on a scorching day and that decision was vindicated early on when Jason Huxley was bowled for 1. This brought John Brunt to the crease and together with Chris Pitt set about building a platform and they brought up their 50 partnership before John was given our LBW for 36 leaving the game finely balanced at 69-2 in the 15th over.
Cameron Wilkes and Chris consolidated at the crease and then began to up the rate as Cameron, again looking improved with the bat, combined solid defence with aggressive strokeplay when the bad delivery was bowled. Unfortunately, Cameron was dismissed for an entertaining 35 bringing captain Josh Cound to the crease at 145-3 in the 29th over.
Josh soon set about attacking the Kempsey bowlers clearing the ropes several times with Chris happy to play the supporting role and bringing up his well earned 50. Josh quickly brought up his 50 and together with Chris put on 96 runs in 11 overs before Chris was bowled for 64 leaving croft at 241-3 with 6 overs remaining. Dan Taylor joined his captain at the crease and together they pushed the good balls for quick runs and dispatched anything else for boundaries.
Josh then brought up his second ton in 2 weeks in the 44th over and Avoncroft ended the innings on a high note with the last 6 overs going for 67 runs to push the total to 308-5 with captain Josh Cound ending unbeaten on 105*.
Avoncroft set about defending the total with Martyn Cound and Andy Pittam taking the new ball but were unable to provide an early breakthrough before the Kempsey opener attempted one quick single too many and was run out by Josh Cound for 16. Kempsey then started building a platform for their innings and despite several bowling changes Avoncroft bowlers were unable to make another breakthrough and at the halfway stage Kempsey were well set at 120-1.
Soon after drinks Dan Taylor came onto bowl and picked up the key wicket of the Kempsey opener for 71 and croft set about strangling the runs. Dan continued to run in for his 9 over spell allowing the bowlers to be rotated from the other end. This pressure soon showed as the Kempsey number 2 was dismissed for 66 attempting to play across the line.
With the run rate constantly climbing Avoncroft picked up wickets at regular intervals to disrupt the scoring and with 98 runs required from the last 10 overs smart bowling and high standard of fielding ensured Avoncroft recorded their 3rd succesive win as Kempsey closed their innings 270-9 with 3 wickets taken by Martyn Cound who ended with figures of 9-31-3 on a pitch that offered little for the seam bowlers, 3 wickets for Andy Pittam and 2 for Dan Taylor.
Avoncroft remain 4th in the league and host Stourport next week as we look to maintain our good form.
Match Report by Josh Cound, 19/06/2017
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