Match Report
Avoncroft 2nd XI came away with their 4th successive win in a close game against Stourpourt 4th XI. Winning the toss captain Josh Cound elected to bat, Jason Huxley and Chris Pitt opened and set about in a steady fashion until Jason chipped one to the midwicket fielder and was dismissed for 25.
Mark Wood making his return to the 2nd XI looked to accumulate with Chris however this was a short lived stint at the crease as he also chipped one to the square leg fielder and was dismissed for 13 leaving Avoncroft 85-2. Cameron Wilkes came to the crease but was unable to build on last week’s score and was quickly dismissed LBW.
Josh Cound joined Chris at the crease and together they set about getting a defendable total. Chris passed his 50 and was soon joined by Josh as they pushed the partnership passed 100 runs in quick time with a flurry of boundaries all around the wicket before Josh played one aggressive shot too many, dragged his foot out of his crease and the Stourport keeper dislodged the bails and was out stumped for 71. Avoncroft were in a commanding position at this point at 212-4 with 12 overs remaining however a flurry of late wickets and good bowling by Strouport restricted Avoncroft in the remaining overs.
The one constant was Chris Pitt who continued to accumulate runs and made his maiden Saturday century for Avoncroft, he continued to pick up the boundaries and when the innings closed Chris carried his bat for 127* and Avoncroft finishing on 261-7.
The opening pair of Martyn Cound and Andy Pittam continued again this week and a usual were both bowling very economical lines. This forced early pressure onto the Stourport batsman and as they pushed one quick single too many Max Jukes, making his return, took aim and with a direct hit dismissed one of the openers.
Stourport’s number 3 came to the crease and looked to up the rate, again tight fielding forced quick singles to be taken and this time it was Liam Kehoe with a smart return to dismiss the other opener run out. Andy Pittam finished his spell wicketless however his final figures of 9-0-24 ensured that scoreboard pressure remained.
The number 3 batsman quickly passed 50 at this point and took a liking to anything full and looked poised to take Stourport to an unlikely victory, however Max Jukes once again came to Croft’s rescue as he dismissed him for 96 caught by Jason Huxley and it was at this point the momentum shifted. Wickets began to fall at regular intervals ensuring Avoncroft won by 22 runs. The wickets were shared around with Chris Pitt picking up 4 to go along with his batting performance, Max Jukes picking up 2 to go with his runout and Mark Wood picking up one.
This win moves Avoncroft into 2nd place in the league following other results falling our way and we finish off the first half of the season next week away at Old Vigornians.
Match Report by Josh Cound, 29/06/2017
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