1864'S RUE DROPPED CATCHES & WIDES AT WASHINGTON.

12th Jun 2025

1864'S RUE DROPPED CATCHES & WIDES AT WASHINGTON.

Sat 7^th June 2025, NTCL Div 5 Central: SNCC v Washington (a) 40/40.

Washington 145-8 (36o) Nicholas James 51, Lawrence Dixon 37, Jacob Murray 17: Jacob McCord 1-19, Jacques Graham 3-27, Patrick Hatcher 0-13, Olivia Miller 1-20, Leo Harper 0-19, Dominic Johson 2-16, Tom Young 0-16, Tom Oliver 0-8.

SNCC 1864 118-9 (36o) Aadi Bethanabatla 15, Leo Harper 32*, Patrick Hatcher 32: Stephen King 0-7, Lawrence Dixon 2-25, George Thompson 1-4, Paul Hebron 3-15, Rhys Morgan 0-19, Jacob Murray 0-12, Jacob James 2-13, Dan Talbot 1-19.

Washington won by 27 runs- 28 points, SNCC 6.

On an overcast day with drizzle in the air, a soft wicket greeted the 1864's at Washington. Winning the toss, the hosts were invited to bat. Talbot & Dixon faced the seam of Jacob McCord & sla of Jacques Graham.

8-1 from the last ball of the second over as Talbot's (5) attempted sweep played on to Jacques. In over 5 Curtis (1) defending was bowled by Jacob, 13-2. Three overs later Thompson (0) skied Jacques for Belinda to make good ground towards square leg to take the catch 34-3.

In over 14 Jacob James (8) swung Jacques to deep square leg where Aadi took a good catch, 4 down. In Liv's first over of leg breaks, Allan (1) edged a back foot force & w/k Belinda took a neat catch, 45-5.

There followed an important  partnership of 65 between Nicholas James & Lawrence Dixon assisted by dropped chances as Liv, Leo & Patrick searched for a breakthrough. Rain in over 29 meant a reduction in overs to 36 each.

On resumption Dixon's (37) leading edge was caught by Elliott Mee at cover of Dominic Johnson, 109-6. As Tom Young & Tom Oliver had two over spells, Nicholas James reached a deserved 50 until he was bowled by Dominic for 51 in over 35.

In the last Patrick's direct hit from mid wicket to the w/k's stumps ran out Murray (17). Three catches for Belinda but145-8, a total that was more than it should have been. Dropped chances & 20 extras including 12 wides were to prove costly.

In reply Jacob McCord & Belinda Wewalage faced the seam of King & Dixon. On a slow wicket driving was a risky option. At 15 Belinda (8) was lbw to Dixon. Three runs later Jacob (5) skied to point, 18-2.

At 25 Elliott Mee (4) drove Thompson to cover & 3 runs later Aadi (15) who had batted nicely, missed a sweep off Hebron's off breaks & was bowled, 28-4. Jacques (0) leading edge lobbed back to bowler Hebron, 30-5 & then Liv (1) was stumped by Curtis also off Hebron.

Patrick & Leo then put together an enterprising partnership of 60 for the 7^th wicket. Hitting the bad balls, running well & defending on the slow surface. The total had reached 95 when Patrick (32), having struck a boundary from the previous delivery, edged a good one to w/k Curtis off Jacob James, 95-7.

Tom Oliver (5) drove to cover off Jacob James, 100-8 & Dominic Johnson (2) succumbed to a Talbot off break. Leo Harper & Tom Young saw out the innings at 118-9, Leo hitting two stylish boundaries towards the end to register 32* his highest senior score. Bravo!

Lessons to learn when batting on slow, low wickets where patience is needed to judge the pace of the wicket & the best likely scoring areas. Catches do win matches & eliminating wides is vital.

Onward to Sat 14^th June SNCC1864 v Annfield Plain (h) 1330, 40/40; we hope you can be there to cheer the team on.

Duncan.