Metro Sports V Sussex Sharks

Metro Sports V Sussex Sharks BCEW League

Saturday 20th May 2006

by Dave Townley

Metro opened their BCEW League campaign in a drawn match with Sussex Sharks at Highgate. It was of great credit to the players of both clubs, and the umpires, that they were able to complete a match in weather conditions that were more akin to the Highlands in February than Highgate in mid-May, cold, blustering wind, and persistent rain.

Metro won the toss, elected to bat, and were quickly into their stride. Rory Field had a fine innings of 85, and shared partnerships of, 93 with Adam Benjamin (30), and 72 with David Townley (28), as they went about setting a decent total. Matt Dean put the 'icing on the cake' with a quick-fire 41 not-out, in a 59-run partnership with Bryn Reynolds (12). Metro duly declared on 243 for 3 off 28 overs. The Sharks bowlers worked hard on what was a damp lifeless wicket. Dan Field (1-12), Mark Burchell (1-22), and Andy Dalby-Welsh (1-48), were their wicket-takers.

In reply, Sussex were hard-pressed to chase the total in the face of some tight bowling (Rory Field 0-3 in 5overs) on a dead wicket getting wetter by the minute. Openers Dan Field (18) and Dalby-Welsh (5) held out doggedly until the latter was bowled by Rob Kershaw (1-13).

Heindrich Swanepoel enhanced Metros chances of a victory with some excellent bowling taking 3 for 20, and a good catch off the bowling of Townley (1-37). The visitors were reduced to 49 for 5. 'Cometh the hour, cometh the legend!' Geoff Smith now joined Simon Ledwith at the crease, and together put on 45 (19no > and 16no respectively) in determined fashion to see out a deserved draw.

	Sharks V Metro Scorecard
	Metro Sports V Sussex Sharks BCEW League Saturday 20th May 2006 by Dave Townley Metro opened their BCEW League campaign in a drawn match with Sussex Sharks at Highgate. It was of great credit to the players of both clubs, and the umpires, that they were able to complete a match in weather conditions that were more akin to the Highlands in February than Highgate in mid-May, cold, blustering wind, and persistent rain. Metro won the toss, elected to bat, and were quickly into their stride. Rory Field had a fine innings of 85, and shared partnerships of, 93 with Adam Benjamin (30), and 72 with David Townley (28), as they went about setting a decent total. Matt Dean put the 'icing on the cake' with a quick-fire 41 not-out, in a 59-run partnership with Bryn Reynolds (12). Metro duly declared on 243 for 3 off 28 overs. The Sharks bowlers worked hard on what was a damp lifeless wicket. Dan Field (1-12), Mark Burchell (1-22), and Andy Dalby-Welsh (1-48), were their wicket-takers. In reply, Sussex were hard-pressed to chase the total in the face of some tight bowling (Rory Field 0-3 in 5overs) on a dead wicket getting wetter by the minute. Openers Dan Field (18) and Dalby-Welsh (5) held out doggedly until the latter was bowled by Rob Kershaw (1-13). Heindrich Swanepoel enhanced Metros chances of a victory with some excellent bowling taking 3 for 20, and a good catch off the bowling of Townley (1-37). The visitors were reduced to 49 for 5. 'Cometh the hour, cometh the legend!' Geoff Smith now joined Simon Ledwith at the crease, and together put on 45 (19no > and 16no respectively) in determined fashion to see out a deserved draw.