Sussex Sharks V Warwickshire Bears

Sussex Sharks V Warwickshire Bears, BCEW LEAAGUE

Sunday 19th May 2007

Report by Nathan Foy (Warwickshire)

The Bear’s favourite fixture came early this season, but after the win against Metro no one seemed to mind facing the Sharks in a May away day. With the sudden unavailability of one of our B1s, the bears were forced to field 10 men and only 5 B1s against Sussex. This was a concern as with 11 men and 6 B1s last year, Sussex came within a kneecap of winning the game. The other difference between last years fixture was the unavailability of Simon Ledwith for the Sharks, but both teams still had dangerous players and the toss was crucial. After calling correctly, Warwickshire asked the Sharks to bat first.

Wanting to go for the throat from the start the Bears opened the bowling with Luke Sugg and Andy Powers their 2 most potent weapons. Scorecards can be deceiving, and this is one of those cases, Andy Dalby-Walsh, and Miles Northwood the Sharks openers, batted with great skill and determination, looking to take advantage of some very aggressive fields. When the opening stand was finally broken, it was shocking that they only had 21 runs on the board, because together they had kept the Bears bowlers at bay and batted well enough to have put on a 50. After 6 tight overs the bears turned to the B1s for some bowling, after a sharp run out of Laura Perry by Mike Harrison, Gavin Griffiths bowled a good spell to remove Andy D-W, Ian Morris and Joe Harrison. Special Mention has to go to Alan Humphries for his brave close catch off a reverse smash to remove Joe Harrison, which inspired him to a double wicket maiden shortly afterwards, ending good resistance from Mark Burchill, and surprising former Bear Kevin Lyon with one that moved away.

The Sussex tail did what they could to keep the Bears at bay, but the combination of Nathan and Luke at opposite ends put paid to the Sharks innings, another 2 wickets for Luke saw him head back to the top of the BCEW wicket takers with 7 for the season.

The target of 78 was set after some dogged fight from the Sharks, and some superb catching from the Bears in the field.

Sussex started the defence of their score in great fashion with Mark Burchill bowling an amazing spell of 3 overs 2 maidens 1 wicket for 1 run. The 1 run was scored off the first ball of the innings, and the 1 wicket was taken off the 3rd, when Nathan inexplicably shouldered arms to a ball that hit off stump. Mike Harrison joined Andy Powers at the crease and played the steady hand to Andy’s hard hitting. While Mark was turning the screw at 1 end the other Sharks bowlers could not contain the power hitting of Andy Powers whose bold stroke-play was rewarded with 45 runs of Warwickshire’s total. Mikes steady play was interrupted by a rush of blood that caused him to lash out at a Miles Northwood delivery and gave the sharks their 2nd wicket. Paul Powers came to the crease and closed out the game with some more hard hitting but it was Andy who finished the match with a 6.

With only a small target to defend Sussex can take heart that they did what they could, and never let their heads drop.

This was a great friendly game played with a real family atmosphere, which the Bears players and supporters really enjoyed. To add to this, the tea provided was of the most excellent quality, and there was so much of it that the 2nd innings was actually delayed because people were going back for seconds, thirds, fourths, and more!

Warwickshire won by 8 wickets

Warwickshire 20 points
Sussex 1 point

	Sussex V Bears Scorecard
	Sussex Sharks V Warwickshire Bears, BCEW LEAAGUE Sunday 19th May 2007 Report by Nathan Foy (Warwickshire) The Bear’s favourite fixture came early this season, but after the win against Metro no one seemed to mind facing the Sharks in a May away day. With the sudden unavailability of one of our B1s, the bears were forced to field 10 men and only 5 B1s against Sussex. This was a concern as with 11 men and 6 B1s last year, Sussex came within a kneecap of winning the game. The other difference between last years fixture was the unavailability of Simon Ledwith for the Sharks, but both teams still had dangerous players and the toss was crucial. After calling correctly, Warwickshire asked the Sharks to bat first. Wanting to go for the throat from the start the Bears opened the bowling with Luke Sugg and Andy Powers their 2 most potent weapons. Scorecards can be deceiving, and this is one of those cases, Andy Dalby-Walsh, and Miles Northwood the Sharks openers, batted with great skill and determination, looking to take advantage of some very aggressive fields. When the opening stand was finally broken, it was shocking that they only had 21 runs on the board, because together they had kept the Bears bowlers at bay and batted well enough to have put on a 50. After 6 tight overs the bears turned to the B1s for some bowling, after a sharp run out of Laura Perry by Mike Harrison, Gavin Griffiths bowled a good spell to remove Andy D-W, Ian Morris and Joe Harrison. Special Mention has to go to Alan Humphries for his brave close catch off a reverse smash to remove Joe Harrison, which inspired him to a double wicket maiden shortly afterwards, ending good resistance from Mark Burchill, and surprising former Bear Kevin Lyon with one that moved away. The Sussex tail did what they could to keep the Bears at bay, but the combination of Nathan and Luke at opposite ends put paid to the Sharks innings, another 2 wickets for Luke saw him head back to the top of the BCEW wicket takers with 7 for the season. The target of 78 was set after some dogged fight from the Sharks, and some superb catching from the Bears in the field. Sussex started the defence of their score in great fashion with Mark Burchill bowling an amazing spell of 3 overs 2 maidens 1 wicket for 1 run. The 1 run was scored off the first ball of the innings, and the 1 wicket was taken off the 3rd, when Nathan inexplicably shouldered arms to a ball that hit off stump. Mike Harrison joined Andy Powers at the crease and played the steady hand to Andy’s hard hitting. While Mark was turning the screw at 1 end the other Sharks bowlers could not contain the power hitting of Andy Powers whose bold stroke-play was rewarded with 45 runs of Warwickshire’s total. Mikes steady play was interrupted by a rush of blood that caused him to lash out at a Miles Northwood delivery and gave the sharks their 2nd wicket. Paul Powers came to the crease and closed out the game with some more hard hitting but it was Andy who finished the match with a 6. With only a small target to defend Sussex can take heart that they did what they could, and never let their heads drop. This was a great friendly game played with a real family atmosphere, which the Bears players and supporters really enjoyed. To add to this, the tea provided was of the most excellent quality, and there was so much of it that the 2nd innings was actually delayed because people were going back for seconds, thirds, fourths, and more! Warwickshire won by 8 wickets Warwickshire 20 points Sussex 1 point