Match Report
Avoncroft Sunday XI returned to winning ways in their league match against Astwood Bank with a fine 6 wicket victory.
On a beautiful afternoon Croft lost the toss and were asked to field. Croft started brightly thanks to some tight bowling by Josh Cound and James Downing and Astwood Bank found themselves three wickets down, wicket keeper Sam Hughes involved in all three dismissals including a sharp stumping. Any hopes of an Astwood Bank collapse quickly faded as their middle order pushed the score on at a sharp rate, their number four Adams reaching his hundred and being able supported by Boycott and J.Adams. Croft kept going however and three late wickets stemmed the run rate and Astwood Bank ended their innings on 242 for 6 from 40 overs. Ed Pugh, Max Jukes and Christopher Pitt being the wicket takers.
Croft started their reply in positive fashion needing six runs an over to win. Openers Christopher Pitt and Josh Cound rattled the score along and after six overs found themselves 49 for no loss. Josh Cound fell for 14 and brought Mark Wood to the crease, he batted himself back into form and made 29 before falling, bringing an end to the 59 run partnership with captain Christopher Pitt.
Ollie Brookes and Ben Warwick then came and went cheaply and at 116 for 4 the game was in the balance. However Sam Hughes and Christopher Pitt combined some heavy hitting with quick running to get Croft back in the game. Still needing 82 from the last ten overs both batsmen reached welcome milestones, Sam got to his fifty and Chris to his century as Croft closed in on the target, reaching 243 in the 38th over. Sam ended up unbeaten on 66 and Chris on 104 having put on 127 for the fifth wicket. A fine run chase and excellent victory against a talented Astwood Bank side, victory putting Croft back into joint second in the league.
Match Report by Christopher Pitt, 04/07/2017
