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Following last season's power struggle between
Stewkesbury and Jones, (see 2001 review) the new
Captain, Mr. Grant Neven was now in charge and looked to
bring stability and success to the 2nd XI, two things
that had been severely lacking in previous years. 2001's
failed Division 5 campaign ended with relegation to the
bottom tier of Saturday Dorset League cricket, even after
the bottom side, Gillingham 2nd's, withdrew from the
league half-way through the season. "Stumpy"
Neven was hoping his side would be capable of bouncing
straight back at the first attempt after the side's weak
batting line-up was strengthened by the news Rev. Bill
Gates would be available for the majority of the season
after his impressive showing at the end of 2001, and with
the addition of ex-Surrey league opener, Kev Dodson.
However, the team received a massive blow as it lost last
season's Young Player of the Year, Chris Skinner, who was
seduced by the dark side and he left to play for
Weymouth's 4th team. Things looked bright for the new
skip with an impressive opening day victory against
Sherborne III at Reforne, as the visitors were skittled
for a paltry 32, the new-look new ball attack of Sam
Polley and Scott Males doing the damage as they removed
the top six batsmen between them. It was left to Gates
and a rare appearance by Jo Trevett, to knock off the
required runs. 20 points in the bag and sitting atop the
table in the first week was more than the little big man
could have expected, but the very next week as Wayfarers
2nd's administered a crushing 117 run defeat, questions
were asked if his fledgling team could win away from home.
Neven proved his critics wrong, as after the game
against Old Blandfordians at Reforne was cancelled, due
to a waterlogged pitch (rain affected games were to be a
feature of the early season), he took his side to
Shillingstone and ground out a gutsy victory, leading by
example as his undefeated innings of 19 (though the Western Gazette
report claimed it was 28) secured a tight 3 wicket win.
Flushed with success on the road, Neven's side then
proceeded to lose at fortress Reforne to promotion rivals
Suttoners II, the veteran opener John Baxter was the only
man able to resist the visitor's attack.
The next game was cancelled again due to rain, 2
consecutive bye weeks gave the captain time to rethink
his strategy in preparation for the match away to mid-season
table-toppers, Branksome 2nd's who were unbeaten at that
point. Calling in a favour from Club Captain, and now
stand-in 1st XI skipper, Graham Elenor, Neven secured the
services of Bill Trevett to beef up the bowling attack,
as well as Simon "Chalky" Barrett, as batsmen
were thin on the ground. With Chalky carrying his bat up
until the final ball of the innings for a gritty 68, and
Trevett taking the pressure of the regular bowlers with a
5 wicket haul, a memorable 40 run victory was secured as
Triangle moved up to the heady heights of 3rd position in
Division 6.
Inconsistency then struck again as buoyed by the win
against the league leaders, Stumpy took his team to rock-bottom
Sherborne III's and received a lesson in humility, as the
old adage "catches win matches" couldn't have
been more apt as a wasteful fielding display gifted the
home side's one batsman, Bibby, an easy century. This was helped
largely by Jones dropping him on 4 then going on to
record figures of 5-0-48-1 as the first change bowler,
while Sam Polley only conceded 12 runs off his first 7 at
the start of the innings, returned to take 2 wickets in a
final over maiden. Triangle collapsed to 42-6 chasing 199
for victory, and only knocks of 46 from Scott Males and
34 from the skipper lent the final total some
respectability as promotion hopes dwindled.
Good wins against Wayfarers at home and then Old
Blandfordians away put Triangle firmly back track, and a
handy 15 points earned in the controversial draw against
Shillingstone, thanks to a very close no-ball call by
umpire Neven, when it looked like the visitors had
snatched a dramatic 4 run victory, placed Stumpy's side
very much in the promotion hunt. Another crushing defeat
this time away to Suttoners, spoiled Triangle's momentum
they'd built up at the end of July and effectively put
them out of the promotion race, having to rely on either
Wayfarers or Suttoners slipping up in their final
matches, as at this point eventual champions Branksome
were virtually out of reach.
A chance to gain maximum points against Bradford Abbas
at home was lost to the rain as Triangle's rivals pulled
away and the islanders were left to battle it out for 2nd
in the final weeks of the season. Neven's team was left
to battle for pride in the final game against now
champions, Branksome, but alas were unable to repeat
their heroics earlier in the season and slumped to a 6
wicket loss. Tony Quayle returned to action to hit an
unbeaten 77 as he and Kev Dodson put on 92 runs as they
helped set a challenging total of 163 for victory, but
Branksome's key man James "Fella" Purnell was
in top form. Only the magical swing/spin of Quayle
brought his innings to an end, 6 runs short of his
century but the visitors were able to cruise to a six
wicket win.
On reflection the final analysis of played 14, won 5,
lost 5, drawn 1 (with 3 no results) averaging 12.09
points, was a marked improvement on 2001's wretched
season, which ironically mirrored that of the 1st XI's
Premier Division campaign this season. The captain gained
a lot of positives from this year as Scott Males's
bowling as well as his batting improved to the extent he
can now almost be classed as the side's genuine all-rounder.
Mark Nott grew into his role of opener, and with some
coaching may just move his feet enough to become a
fixture in that position, though time will tell whether
John Baxter's attempts to turn him into a left-arm
spinner succeed. Sam Polley continued to fulfill his
promise as a new ball bowler taking his fair share of
wickets, and helping to ease the burden formerly carried
by Rupert and Scott and to some extent, The Duke, who
only made fleeting appearances in 2002, due to his
scoring commitments with the 1st's.
With the news that Tony Quayle is transferring back to
the island's prison service, Triangle hope to see him
batting and hopefully, bowling, more than every other
week. Jo Trevett has also confirmed he will be available
for more games next season thanks to his work
commitments lifting, these are exciting times for the 2nds.
With the rumours of yet another challenge to the 2nd XI
Captaincy from Richard Stewkesbury proving just a rumour,
Stumpy will be looking to leading his troops in 2003.
With a more settled squad promotion to Division 5 isn't
out of the question, but can the Pocket Pasty let himself
dream of lifting some silverware?
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