South Wales Dragons V Sussex Sharks

Sussex Sharks V South Wales Dragons BCEW League

Report by Ian Morris

Sunday 30th April 2006

The opening match of the BCEW league produced a thriller, last years League champions the South Wales Dragons hosted the Sussex Sharks. The sides met 3 times last year with Dragons winning all 3 easily.

Sussex won the toss and elected to field. The Sussex bowlers struggled for line and length, and the Dragons batsmen took full advantage. In a solid team batting display. Several batsmen showed good early season form, Dave Ellingham (36), Damion Corrigan (38) and Howard Greenhill (31) all chipping in. The star of the Dragons innings was Dave Wood, his 83 not out included 14 boundaries, and saw him playing shots all round the wicket.

The Dragons declared their innings on 235/4 after 28 overs, setting a stiff target for a Sussex side that wasn't able to muster 200 runs total from their 3 innings last season.

The Sussex innings opened with a record stand of 200 by Dan Field (67) and Andy Dalby-Welsh (83), before Dan was brilliantly caught by Andy Law in the 28th over. This left Sussex 36 to get off 4 overs. Andy perished in the 29th over, Sussex sending out Mark Burchell to try the "long handle" approach. The final over saw Sussex needing 16 with Howard Greenhill, who had been incredible in the field all day, with the responsibility of delivering it.

By this stage Joe Harrison and Ian Morris were at the crease and swinging for everything. After some frantic running Sussex were left needing 3 off the final ball. Joe pulled the ball to midwicket but some tidy fielding saw Joe run out going for the 2nd and Sussex closed on 234/5, just a single run behind.

A draw, but what a draw!

Dragons 12 points, Sussex 11 points

A great game that suggests that the BCEW league could be very tight this season

	Sharks V Dragons Scorecard
	Sussex Sharks V South Wales Dragons BCEW League Report by Ian Morris Sunday 30th April 2006 The opening match of the BCEW league produced a thriller, last years League champions the South Wales Dragons hosted the Sussex Sharks. The sides met 3 times last year with Dragons winning all 3 easily. Sussex won the toss and elected to field. The Sussex bowlers struggled for line and length, and the Dragons batsmen took full advantage. In a solid team batting display. Several batsmen showed good early season form, Dave Ellingham (36), Damion Corrigan (38) and Howard Greenhill (31) all chipping in. The star of the Dragons innings was Dave Wood, his 83 not out included 14 boundaries, and saw him playing shots all round the wicket. The Dragons declared their innings on 235/4 after 28 overs, setting a stiff target for a Sussex side that wasn't able to muster 200 runs total from their 3 innings last season. The Sussex innings opened with a record stand of 200 by Dan Field (67) and Andy Dalby-Welsh (83), before Dan was brilliantly caught by Andy Law in the 28th over. This left Sussex 36 to get off 4 overs. Andy perished in the 29th over, Sussex sending out Mark Burchell to try the "long handle" approach. The final over saw Sussex needing 16 with Howard Greenhill, who had been incredible in the field all day, with the responsibility of delivering it. By this stage Joe Harrison and Ian Morris were at the crease and swinging for everything. After some frantic running Sussex were left needing 3 off the final ball. Joe pulled the ball to midwicket but some tidy fielding saw Joe run out going for the 2nd and Sussex closed on 234/5, just a single run behind. A draw, but what a draw! Dragons 12 points, Sussex 11 points A great game that suggests that the BCEW league could be very tight this season