Match Reports
The Plough Inn v Bedford Arms (13th July 2003)
Tenth Wicket Heroes
Cricket Correspondent : John Kirwin
The hot sun beat down on the hallowed turf of Wingfield cricket ground, a day fit for the struggle about to take place between the Plough Inn XI and the Bedford Arms XI. The BA team had turned up early, along with a good number of supporters, obviously keen to enjoy the afternoon. The Plough XI wandered over from their energetic pre-match preparation in the pub, looking forward to a good performance; net practise on Thursday evenings was beginning to pay dividends both in terms of skill and confidence levels.
Bedford Arms won the toss and elected to bat first. After a slow start the runs started to flow freely, 49 being scored for the first wicket. Under the rules of the competition, Jayme Bent, the BA landlord retired at 25 not out. Other notable scores were Ray Prout, Rakesh Hirani and Simon Lampard, all reaching double figures. At the fall of the ninth wicket, with the score on 147 (extras having contributed no less than 40 runs) Jayme returned to the crease to score another 12 runs before being run out in the 30th over of this 30 over match with the score on 159. Good bowling was delivered by Chris Bull (3 for 19), who was at one point on a hat trick, and Neville Andrews (2 for 20). Other wickets being taken by Nilesh Patel, Sam Fenwick and, on his debut, Keith Atak.
The Plough’s innings appeared to be heading for complete ignominy, 9 wickets having fallen by the 15th over with a miserable 38 runs on the board. Simon, Rakesh, Dave Ward and Ash had each taken two wickets. A huge drubbing was in prospect – could we really be beaten by 120 odd runs? David Cestaro, who had been grimly hanging on after he came in at number 6 was joined for the 10th wicket by our newcomer, Keith Atak. Muttering that he hadn’t picked up a bat for a long time, he headed for the crease, promising to do his best. What followed was the stuff of dreams. David started to hit boundaries, as did Keith, both taking advantage of the weaker bowlers in the BA team. By the time Jayme, arguably BA’s quickest bowler, returned in the 26th over, 97 runs were on the board. Keith had the pleasure of taking the 100th run during this over. By the last ball of the 30th over, David was 24 not out and Keith had knocked up 35 not out with a total of 124 runs. The tenth wicket partnership had (with the help of 26 extras) accumulated no less than 86 runs!
Although the BA team had scored the higher number of runs, under the rules of the competition the match was a draw because the Plough XI batted out their 30 overs but the moral victory was the Plough’s. What a comeback! I have a suspicion that Keith may play higher up the batting order next time he plays.
Tenth Wicket heroes - David Cestaro & Keith Atak
