Cricket match report - Lapworth CC vs Snitterfield CC, Sunday 25th July 2010

More Payne But No Gain

A second half century for Andy Payne within a week was not enough to save Snitterfield from a narrow defeat away at Lapworth.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat first on what was a good wicket. Lapworth started slowly, and after 10 overs they had only made 25 runs. However, this turned out to be the calm before the storm, as opening batsman Cross made a fine 98, before being bowled by Yendall. The Snitterfield bowlers had a frustrating afternoon, as several poorly played shots landed safely in no-man’s land. The crowning moment of despair for The Snipes came when an extra quick and lifting delivery from Yendall was mistimed and sent heavenwards, only for the gulley and wicketkeeper to collide, just as the former was about to take catch; the ball, of course, was dropped. Indeed, only 4 wickets were taken, as Lapworth made a total of 227, which made for an expensive afternoon for the Snitterfield bowlers, with only Lee Hillier managing to keep control of the purse strings, with a tidy 8 overs, 3 maidens, for just 11 runs.

In reply, Snitterfield got off to a disastrous start, with the openers out for a duck and one between them. In came the two South African big hitters, Payne and Robertson, who quickly added 52 and 30 respectively. Both batsmen hit plenty of boundaries, with Payne smashing a fine six, which sent several roof tiles crashing down from the pavilion! Will Linford then hit an impressive 53, which included ten fours and a six. By now, Snitterfield were more than well up with the run rate, but desperately short of wickets, which proved their undoing, as The Snipes were all out for 211, just 17 short of victory.