Match Report
Avoncroft 1st XI brushed aside FWOE in a game where they won by 143 runs.
FWOE won the toss and elected to bowl on a green track that looked to be seam friendly. In the early exchanges it looked to have been a good decision as Avoncroft were reduced to 39-3, Hare, Sach and Sam Hughes all departing cheaply. This brought Craig Hughes and Tom Murray to the crease in a partnership that would transform the game for Croft. Hughes, more the aggressor early on, looked composed in his shot selection and as Murray grew in confidence the two began to carve apart the FWOE attack. The partnership of 167 saw boundaries flying to all parts of the ground with some notably big sixes from Hughes. Hughes was eventually dismissed for a fantastic 109 while Murray followed shortly after for 67. With a quick fire 24 from Dave Anson at the end Croft posted 261-6 in their 50 overs.
Croft were missing Athey and Hunter from their bowling attack but Dan Elliott and James Downing took the new ball and created havoc from the outset. FWOE were reduced to 19-3 after the pair had imposed themselves upon on a batting line up that never looked comfortable with Elliott’s pace and Downing’s movement through the air. At 61-6 the game was all but over and it was merely a question of how long the tail could hang on. Will Sach removed the stubborn Khalid for 30 and shortly after FWOE were dismissed for 118. Elliott picking up 4-39 off 13 and Downing 3-32 off 9. Craig Hughes completed a match winning performance by taking 2-33 of his 12 overs.
The result all but guaranteed survival in Division 3 for the club and leaves the drop to be fought out by the likes of Rushwick, Martley and Astwood Bank.
Match Report by Mark Whitehead, 29/08/17
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