Match: 26th June

Match report Dedham v West Mersea 26th June 2008 at Dedham Dedham (143-3) beat West Mersea (53) by 90 runs An excellent 99 run partnership for the 3rd wicket between Angus Lockhart (54) and Ieuan Davies (41 no) set the foundation for a total that was beyond West Mersea, and ensured a 5th successive victory for the Dedham academy. This was backed up by yet another excellent fielding and bowling display, led by Angus Campbell with 3 wickets for only one run, and Ed Mortimer who finished with 2-17. The day started auspiciously for the Captain who requested that he be dropped down the order to try and find some batting form. Angus has looked comfortable at the crease all season but has managed to get himself out (that run out against Elmstead) or has been cleaned up by some excellent bowling. However after a chat it was decided that he should continue to lead from the front, and that he did with his debut 50 for Dedham, which included some excellent back foot shots and together with Ieuan the best running between the wickets we have seen this season. Angus and Ieuan came together with the score on 30-2 with Harry Spalding and Michael Wright back in the pavilion. Harry received a magnificent leg stump yorker first ball that even KP would have struggled to keep out. In his first season of hard ball cricket Harry has settled in well but just needs to believe that he is good enough –which he is. Michael has no such feelings of self doubt and strikes the ball well; although his mother’s question as to how to stop him sticking his backside out when batting has led to the scratching of heads among the coaching staff! Angus and Ieuan set about the Mersea bowling for the start with a wonderful mixture of aggressive hitting and sensible placement once the field had been spread far and wide. Ieuan lost nothing in comparison with his captain and they matched each other run for run, turning singles into twos, and twos into threes at will. The highlight of the innings was a leg glance by Ieuan that the Club captain, who was umpiring at the time, said was to “die for”. Aided by 32 extras, and notwithstanding Angus being caught and bowled in the final over, the total of 143 looked to be formidable on the Dedham wicket. This was proved to be the case from the first over as Archie, once again, bowled the opener cheaply. Ed Mortimer, sharing the new ball, also struck immediately, bowling the other opener with an excellent full delivery and having the best batsman caught by Michael. Both of the twins have had a good season with the ball this year and the club have high hopes of them next year when they will be among the senior players. Their enthusiasm has been great to see this year but they will need to maintain slightly better levels of concentration with their batting and fielding to take their game up to the next level. I know they can do it! After this excellent start, helped by a direct hit from Mid-Off by Ieuan to run out the number three bat, the support bowlers took over with Angus Campbell to the fore. As with his performance at Bromley, Angus was a revelation. He bowled full and fast, and did not give any of the batsmen room to swing their arms. He was rewarded with three wickets (including another catch for Ed behind the timbers) for the cost of only a wide and he ripped the heart out of the Mersea batting. Angus has developed very well this year, and has benefitted from playing lots of cricket at school. From 32-4, Mersea subsided to be all out for 53 with the final wickets being taken by Bertie Mortimer, Anjay, and Michael Wright in his only over, although Kye also bowled well for no reward. All of the bowlers did an excellent job, and the fielding in support was also first class. So the Dedham unbeaten run continues, although an air of complacency may well be creeping in! However it is hard to be critical in any way of the entire squad after such a dominating performance in what has been a brilliant season so far. Again the boys owe a debt of thanks to Dimple for the organisation and to Anna Mortimer and Mrs Lockhart for providing such a wonderful tea, and for leaving the pavilion kitchen in such a clean state not seen for many a year. Without the help of the parents the enjoyment of the players (and the coaching staff) would be severely diminished so thank you all! Felix Fitch

 

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