2nd X1 v Ludlow 15th July 2006
Madeley seconds took
to the field at Ludlow confident of rising up the table after 2 convincing
victories in previous weeks. Madeley captain Simon Woodcock won the toss and
decided we'd have a bat. A great decision! The usual 'minefield' track at Ludlow
looked in much better shape and I know myself I didnt fancy fielding in that
heat!
Mick Roberts and
little Kev put on an opening stand of almost 80, you would have thought that
would have been a solid foundation for a big score.Mickey in particular
dispatching the erratic Ludlow bowling to all corners of the ground. When Mick
got out, John Fawcett (MCCFC all-star and cricket utility man) came to the
crease and knocked 48. While
stood at the other John witnessed the majority of the middle order fail to get
out of single figures and struggling to deal with Ludlows change of bowling.
Only Graham Barker coming late on put up some resistance working the ball around
nicely.
At tea I had a
feeling that we could have been 50 or so shy. 150 would have been more accurate.
Apart from Jamie Lloyd taking a wicket in his second over with an absolute
'jaffa', Madeley had nothing else to shout about in the field. It may have been
a different game if Jamie would have held on to an easy caught and bowled chance
when their opener was on 0. Sadly it went down and he thrashed our bowling to
all parts and made 93 not out. I must admit I myself did put the chap down
shortly after he had reached his 50* but by that time the damage had been done!
Ludlow cruised to victory!
Some bright points
for the day were the way John Fawcett and Mick Roberts batted and in
particularly the way young bowler Sam Hathaway held his nerve when all other
bowlers were being dispatched. He was a constant threat and but for the dropped
catch by first slip would have had himself a wicket.