April Century Club Winners
24th April 2024
1864s match against Haydon Bridge abandoned
13th Jul 2019
The heavy rain which reached Matfen 16 overs into the game eventually (and I use the word "eventually " deliberately) led to the abandonment of the match.
Asked to bat first on a damp surface the 1864s had struggled to 42 for 4 in 16 overs when the rain came. Dave Harbottle with 19 was top scorer. It rained off and on for the next 90 minutes and an early tea was taken. The covers were removed after tea when the rain had stopped. Water had got onto the playing surface at both ends just about on a good length. With no sun and no wind to dry things up I think the right call would have been to abandon the match then. But one of the umpires said there was a protocol to follow and he wanted to give the pitch every chance to dry. It started raining again and the covers went back on. At the next inspection the pitch was still too wet for play (in my opinion) but the umpire gave it a further 15 minutes. Eventually the match was abandoned at 17.25.
Next game is on 20 July away to Mitford.
SD