Warwickshire Bears V Sussex Sharks

Warwickshire V Sussex BCEW League Saturday 27th July 2006

THE BEARS AND SHARKS CONTEST A SECOND DRAW IN A FORTNIGHT

Report by Alan Humphries (WCCVI Vice Captain)

A somewhat cooler day of late in the Midlands saw the return fixture between Warwickshire and Sussex at Marston Green Cricket Club. Sharks Captain Andy Dalby-Walsh called the toss incorrectly and was invited to bat by the Bears skipper to the end of the season, Alan Humphries.

Following the disappointment of their result against Metro last week, Sussex were soon in trouble again at 7 for 3 with Dalby-Walsh, Ledwith and Northwood, the Bears tormentors two weeks ago back in the pavilion with little to show for their long journey. Simon was trapped leg before by Warren Lee with Andy and Miles perishing to BCEW’s leading wicket taker, Luke Sugg; Miles went to a great catch by the mercurial Foy who again didn’t have to move! However, the home side’s joy was short lived as up stepped some new tormentors in the shape of Joe Harrison (50), Laura Perry (10) and Mr Extra (58)! Joe ably pushed the score along with some fine shots and was superbly assisted by Laura at a time when the Sharks innings needed rebuilding. Laura’s dismissal bowled Powers heralded a swing in fortunes for the Bears which was to be short lived again as Mark Burchell and Steve Troy thwarted the Bears attempts to get them out with a last wicket stand of over 60 with Mark scoring 26 and Steve 24, both not out.

The pick of the bowling was Sugg’s 4 for 21 with the big disappointment for the home side being the amount of extras bowled. Sussex declared on 186 for 8 off 37 overs leaving the Bears 23 overs to get the required 187.

The Bears innings started with the dismissal of Andy Powers for a duck in the first over caught Northwood bowled Burchell and then 15 runs later with the dismissal of Foy caught off Steve Andrews’ boot by Ledwith!. With the dismissal of Gav Griffiths on 42 thoughts again may have turned to batting out for a draw as with a fortnight ago. However, this was not my instruction and the partnership of Sugg and Wadsworth was to give the home side hope as the ball went to all parts of the wicket especially from the “Rhyno” who bludgeoned his way to 59 showing he fears now bowler on the circuit at the moment – of course, we haven’t played Metro yet! However. Luke’s dismissal for 59 bowled Harrison saw the run rate slow down despite the best efforts of Steve Wadsworth who’s fine run of form continued with 52 not out, Turnham (12) and Humphries (6 not out) including a square cut for 4 and the last time I achieved that result was in 1996! Some superb bowling to field by the Sussex skipper Andy Dalby-Walsh and Mark Burchell meant that Bears fell 16 runs short of the winning total albeit more comfortably than a fortnight ago with 5 wickets in hand.

Another keenly contested match played in an excellent spirit sees the Bears take 12 points and the Sharks 10 leaving us 8 points ahead of Metro at the top of the League both clubs having 3 games to play including each other twice on 26 August and 2 September. The first League title in BCEW history could yet go down to the wire…!

	Bears V Sharks Scorecard
	Warwickshire V Sussex BCEW League Saturday 27th July 2006 THE BEARS AND SHARKS CONTEST A SECOND DRAW IN A FORTNIGHT Report by Alan Humphries (WCCVI Vice Captain) A somewhat cooler day of late in the Midlands saw the return fixture between Warwickshire and Sussex at Marston Green Cricket Club. Sharks Captain Andy Dalby-Walsh called the toss incorrectly and was invited to bat by the Bears skipper to the end of the season, Alan Humphries. Following the disappointment of their result against Metro last week, Sussex were soon in trouble again at 7 for 3 with Dalby-Walsh, Ledwith and Northwood, the Bears tormentors two weeks ago back in the pavilion with little to show for their long journey. Simon was trapped leg before by Warren Lee with Andy and Miles perishing to BCEW’s leading wicket taker, Luke Sugg; Miles went to a great catch by the mercurial Foy who again didn’t have to move! However, the home side’s joy was short lived as up stepped some new tormentors in the shape of Joe Harrison (50), Laura Perry (10) and Mr Extra (58)! Joe ably pushed the score along with some fine shots and was superbly assisted by Laura at a time when the Sharks innings needed rebuilding. Laura’s dismissal bowled Powers heralded a swing in fortunes for the Bears which was to be short lived again as Mark Burchell and Steve Troy thwarted the Bears attempts to get them out with a last wicket stand of over 60 with Mark scoring 26 and Steve 24, both not out. The pick of the bowling was Sugg’s 4 for 21 with the big disappointment for the home side being the amount of extras bowled. Sussex declared on 186 for 8 off 37 overs leaving the Bears 23 overs to get the required 187. The Bears innings started with the dismissal of Andy Powers for a duck in the first over caught Northwood bowled Burchell and then 15 runs later with the dismissal of Foy caught off Steve Andrews’ boot by Ledwith!. With the dismissal of Gav Griffiths on 42 thoughts again may have turned to batting out for a draw as with a fortnight ago. However, this was not my instruction and the partnership of Sugg and Wadsworth was to give the home side hope as the ball went to all parts of the wicket especially from the “Rhyno” who bludgeoned his way to 59 showing he fears now bowler on the circuit at the moment – of course, we haven’t played Metro yet! However. Luke’s dismissal for 59 bowled Harrison saw the run rate slow down despite the best efforts of Steve Wadsworth who’s fine run of form continued with 52 not out, Turnham (12) and Humphries (6 not out) including a square cut for 4 and the last time I achieved that result was in 1996! Some superb bowling to field by the Sussex skipper Andy Dalby-Walsh and Mark Burchell meant that Bears fell 16 runs short of the winning total albeit more comfortably than a fortnight ago with 5 wickets in hand. Another keenly contested match played in an excellent spirit sees the Bears take 12 points and the Sharks 10 leaving us 8 points ahead of Metro at the top of the League both clubs having 3 games to play including each other twice on 26 August and 2 September. The first League title in BCEW history could yet go down to the wire…!