03/07/2017
MATCH REPORT - GAMEWEEK 9 - ANOTHER WIN!!!!!!!
Glastonbury 1st XI are flying! This week they travelled to top of the table Taunton St. Andrews, full of confidence after their demolition job of local rivals Ashcott & Shapwick the week before.
This game was certainly one to remember, with players having to deal with a range of emotions reserved usually for a Love Island re-coupling. Glastonbury won the toss and elected to bat, safe in the knowledge that the cratered pitch would surely only go from bad to worse. Fresh from finishing a masters in a meaningless number based degree from some University called Oxford, Tom Brock returned to open the batting. He was accompanied by the happy go lucky figure of Ali Easton, who will surely soon be demoted back down the order where he belongs. As the innings began it became clear to all that the pitch was no good - a minefield being an understatement as one ball cleared the 7ft frame of Brock after pitching full of a good length. However, undeterred by this, Easton launched two huge sixes down the ground in the third over, seemingly forgetting the responsibility of an opening batsman. Unfortunately his cameo was bought to a controversial end the next over - one hand one bounce has seemingly been introduced to WEPL league cricket.
Glastonbury then did their best to throw away the game. A mixture of poor batting, excellent catching, flair shot making and the extreme indifference of the pitch, they found themselves 81-6. Josh Beal then batted sensibly and started to rebuild with Sam Morris, before slapping a long hop to a leaping Hayman at midwicket - 108-7.
Rebuilding then continued between Morris and Will Mason, with Morris playing the best switch hit many people have ever and will ever witness. Unfortunately whilst the excitement of the switch hit was still rife within the Glastonbury supporters, Morris followed Bealer's lead and slapped a long hop to midwicket - 127-8. Mason was joined by Tim Spotswood, who majestically hacked the bowlers into the stands, adding a quick fire and extremely valuable 22 runs - 153-9. What followed next is the definition of the tail wagging. Dan Williams and Mason batted with an unrivalled level of nonchalance, dismissing the St. Andrews attack and adding a superb 74 runs for the last wicket with Glastonbury finishing on an extremely competitive 227 all out! A fantastic 28 from Mason - the highlight being when he slapped Hayman with utter disdain over mid off for a one bounce 4 - and an equally quality 25* from Williams.
Glastonbury knew that St. Andrews batting order was the real deal and wouldn't crumble like Shapwick the week previously - it was imperative to start well. However Byrom and Regan both played excellently, compact in defence and fluent in attack and immediately Glastonbury were under pressure. Byrom started to open his shoulders and struck the ball indifferently but effectively - Beal turned to spin. Ali Easton aka The-Destroyer-of-left-handers trapped the ever dangerous Byrom in front and Glastonbury had their first wicket! Beal made a double change and the freakishly tall Will Jenkins came steaming down the hill with an ominous sense of purpose. Sure enough, Leask succumbed to the pre - match plan and was caught on the pull at deep square leg, Jenkins went crazy and suddenly Glastonbury were right back in the game - TSA - 91-2. The pressure was mounting on the TSA batsman as the pitch began to deteriorate further (yes that was actually possible). The new batsman Alley then inexplicably copied Beal and patted Easton straight to midwicket - 109-3.
A small partnership formed and Glastonbury returned to the shell they had been in for most of the game. Regan was still batting patiently and the new man Contreras looked comfortable, TSA reached 144 and the runs required started to look much smaller. Glastonbury were then handed a lifeline as Contreras plinked Easton to mid on and returned to the club house! Panic then Set in for TSA as Parsons fell to Ross Jenkins - 157-5 and Horler got bowled by Brock - 167 - 6. Despite wickets falling from one end, Glastonbury knew they were still underdogs with Regan still their on 80 not out. An inspired bit of captaincy saw Beal turn to man of the day Dan Williams who cleaned up Regan with an absolute seed - 180-7. The total was still well within reach and as Hayman wondered to the crease, Glastonbury knew he could do damage and take the game away from them. After showing surprising composure, TSA nudged their way to 196, 32 runs required. A moment of utter magic followed, the ball was dropped into the off side by Bell who called Hayman through for a quick single. Will Jenkins swooped down upon the ball like a bird of prey, hurled it at the one visible stump and sent the bails and Glastonbury into a state of uncontrollable ecstasy - 196-8. The tail was then wrapped up and Glastonbury were fortunately not made to sweat too much - Taunton St. Andrews bowled out for 205.
This was a must win game for the Thorns and was a huge performance from a group of players that are starting to believe that the miracle could be pulled off. WEPL 1 we're coming for you.
