Match: 29th June

Match report Dedham v Witham 29th June 2008 at Dedham Dedham (98-7) Lost to Witham (99-7) by 1 run They say that a team learns more about itself in defeat than victory, and we certainly hope this is the case with the team after having lost our unbeaten record by a single run. Harry Wilsher was unfortunately run out, as he just failed to ground his bat looking for a bye to tie the scores off the final ball, after he and Ed Mortimer had given the team some hope with an excellent stand of 21 for the 7th wicket. The day had started excellently for Dedham as Sean Gregory (3-8), given the new ball by the captain, tore into the Witham batting line up like a man possessed. He and Archie Runacres (2-16) took 4 wickets between them to leave Witham reeling at 18-4 with the first 3 batsmen all out caught and bowled! Sean has had a very good first season with Dedham and with his height will cause all sorts of problems to batsmen as he builds up his speed as he gets stronger. After the captain decided to give the opening pair a rest, Anjay took over and immediately snared a victim, another caught and bowled, and Harry Wilsher joined the party with his first wicket of the season, courtesy of a stumping by Ed Greenwood. From the perilous position of 21-5 Witham rallied marvellously due to a sensible and well judged partnership between Randall and Morgan. Both ran well between the wickets, and the longer they batted then the more Dedham became frustrated. The fielding dropped below our usual standard, with far too many runs conceded due to the players failing to use their hands as opposed to trying out their football skills. The bowlers, Kye Hayden and the Mortimer boys kept plugging away in spite of the partnership, but to no avail, and it took the return of Archie to remove Morgan for an excellent 31. Witham closed on 99, which was many more than they might have expected at the halfway mark. It was with a certain confidence that the opening pair of Lockhart and Greenwood went out, but the captain was soon back in the pavilion having swung across the line of a full and straight delivery from Witham’s opening bowler, a girl who has played for Essex. Cam Rule joined Ed and put on 53 for the second wicket, both playing sensibly and at 61-1 Dedham were well placed for a comfortable victory. However the wheels began to fall off, with the next 4 wickets falling for only 6 runs, with both Ed and Cam (36) caught hitting in the air to mid off, and Oliver Williams and Archie bowled and LBW respectively for a single run apiece. When Anjay was run out the score was 77-6 and Ed Mortimer joined Harry for what seemed a hopeless cause. Despite some interesting running between the wickets, the target began to fall, and when Ed (8 n.o) pivoted and pulled the bowler to the boundary in the penultimate over, an unlikely rescue seemed to be about to happen. With 4 needed off the final over, and two off the final ball Harry (7) was run out to leave us agonisingly short of our target despite a wonderful effort. The lessons we learned from this game are the need to keep concentrating all through the game, that cool heads are required in cricket when chasing down even a small total, and above all that every run counts. Witham recovered well from a poor start, but we became rather complacent and failed to meet our exceptional standard in the field. In the batting there seemed to be the opinion that as Cam was playing then he would bail us out of trouble; it is important for everyone to take responsibility for their job within the team to reach their goals. Having lost the unbeaten record the boys have learnt the pain of defeat, although it was disappointing for the coach, and the boys, to lose such a close game, this should help us in the future. Once again thanks to the parents, especially Anna Mortimer and Dimple for the teas, however it is important for all of the players to help clear up after a game, and not just a notable few! Felix Fitch

 

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