Abbotsbury

Chris Holman (Abbotsbury)

Dave Clifford led his men to defeat in the penultimate game of the 2005 season, as Triangle brought the year to a close with the now traditional game against Abbotsbury.

The old adage "catches win matches" was never truer than today as Abbotsbury's John Pengelly rode his luck as he was dropped on 3 occasions on his way to 93, setting up the visitor's innings on a good batting track. The first offence was committed by Neven when Pengelly was barely off the mark, spilling the easiest of loopy catches off Marsh, who then was later to produce a carbon copy, but this time off Gates' bowling. At the other end Johnny Armfield played a composed and relatively risk-free innings of 83, while his batting partner continued to use the full width of his blade.

The opening bowlers Males and Marsh were unlucky not to take a wicket, especially Scott who produced an economical spell of 9 overs for only 24 runs. It was the eventual change of bowling to Gates, the Saturday 2nd XI's leading wicket taker, who finally broke through, tempting Pengelly with a straight one on off stump, which the Abbotsbury man played all around.

The captain claimed the other wicket of the innings in his second spell, this time trying his arm down the slope, and was rewarded thanks to the quick reactions of young 'keeper Maisey, who stumped Armfield. Youngsters Thomas and Holman made full use of the pitch, and the dispirited bowlers as Abbotsbury made a challenging total of 244.

In reply, Triangle started brightly, with Gates scoring freely as Dave Males characteristically dug in. Once Holman had removed Gates, the Males family was united in the middle, and forged a useful partnership, keeping up with the required rate. It was in the 19th over when Holman returned to the attack to strike again, bowling Males senior who had been grafting away for 19. The dashing Neven then entered the fray and a typically bludgeoning cameo resulted in 15 quick runs, and also the first recorded catch of the afternoon.

Holman had been saving his best for his last over, first ending Scott's innings, when he lost the flight of the ball and his middle stump; Marsh followed next ball a snorter that ripped through his defences; then Joel Maisey was the hattrick victim, also bowled as Holman finished his spell with 5 wickets.

1st team captain, Simon Barrett, had been watching with dismay from the non-striker's end, but led the attack with the lusty blows all round the ground and with his skipper for the day, Clifford, Triangle were getting back in the game. After bringing up his fifty, Pengelly used up his last ounce of luck to take a fine caught and bowled to remove Barrett. Dan Strong's brief stay at the crease was highlighted by a fine four, smashed back over Mitcham's head before he got his revenge a few deliveries later.

Tony Morris then joined Clifford for a final wicket stand, with 43 required from the last 3 overs. Measured hitting from Clifford coupled with the young George Thomas' failing nerves, left an unlikely 24 from 6 balls. It was then that Neven, now in his role of umpire, made his mark on proceedings. Three maximums were needed, Morris gave leg-spinner Thomas the charge, but the ball flicked off the top of the pads, and went past the keeper. As the batsman scrambled for the leg byes, the umpire was heard to enquire of the bowler if he was going to appeal, "Do you think he was out then?" was the reply from the confused bowler, to which Neven raised his finger to the disbelief of all players and spectators.

Econ.

2.67

4.80

6.86

7.33

6.00

6.43

8.33

6.50

Econ.

5.38

2.50

4.38

5.75

10.29

2.00

8.00