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Southampton Community II, July 30 '11 (away)
Well that was eventful... a match featuring 450 runs, 16 wickets and a pitch invasion by the local
hooded yoof. Who says Milbrook isn't exciting?
A mixture of the young and old made the short trip along the M27 with Jack returning from a week's absence and the side's
average age heading upwards with the inclusion of Lord Harris, a (very) late call up for MC once he had finished
sandwich duties, and Sir Geoffrey appearing, as if by magic, from the golf course.
The very first over of the match hinted at the excitement to come as Turkleton snared the opener, caught behind by Richie,
after the first ball had been dispatched through square leg for 4. Both sides came flying out of the blocks, Jack being
unlucky with a caught behind appeal that was turned down, and Richie putting down another chance off Glyn that would have
seen off the other opener. Instead, the home side looked to open their shoulders, and did so to good effect as the runs flowed
freely. Paddy replaced Glyn, and although he had the number 3 calmly caught at long on by Charlie as he went for another
maximum, the runs were still piling up thanks to a true wicket and quick outfield.
JD's introduction helped to put a break on proceedings, Richie claiming the left handed opener off a skyer to redeem his
earlier miss, and the run rate continued to slow to more managable proportions as the visitors took in the picture perfect
surroundings of railway track, Southampton ring road and nearby sewerage plant.
But it was Turkleton's return that really changed the course of the innings as he embarked on a dramatic spell of 4 wickets
in 8 balls, 3 of them bowled and the other LBW, including 2 in 2 as he was on a hat-trick. The home side still recorded a
challenging 225-8, but at least 'Parish had some bonus points to show for their efforts in the field and Turkleton's 5-56,
while expensive, was a very rare Michelle for the military medium windmill bowler.
The tea interval brought some delicious home made spicy fare from our Pakistani hosts, and also gave a hint of the "entertainment"
to come as the local hooded yoof started cycling across the square and generally targetting the cricket as their boredom
relief for the afternoon.
Despite Richie going early, Paddy and particularly Lord Harris looked comfortable enough, stroking a variety of boundaries
to prove that the target was reachable as there were no demons in the track and the fielding was of debatable quality. Just as they
were both looking comfortable, they both got out in the 20s, which heralded the partnership on which a lot of 'Parish hopes were
pinned as Trucks strode out to join JD. This prompted fireworks all round, Trucks giving the ball some fearful treatment as
he hammered it to all parts, and the excitable hosts threatening to do something similar to the invading hoodies, as the
fielders grabbed stumps and gave chase to the abusive and disrespectful locals who saw fit to interrupt play. Significant injury
was averted, although an angry face off ensued as the future members of UKIP, ironically fronted by an Afro-Caribbean ring
leader, shared a few Anglo Saxon words with our hosts. A quick call to the police returned some semblance of calm, and while the
yoof headed off to jump on the roof of the adjacent garage, play resumed.
Trucks was bowled for 39, JD followed after another good contribution of 43, and Charlie was marginally unlucky to pick out the
only fielder for miles around with a swing to leg, the catcher holding on at the second attempt having previously mis-fielded
any number of times. With the target down to roughly 50 off 9, Mr Darryl and Glyn put on 30, scampering between the wickets
to compensate for a complete lack of timing that rendered the desired boundaries hard to come by. The equation boiled down to
24 off 3 overs, and Glyn was bowled aiming something extravagent to leg. Despite a couple of late defiant blows from Darryl,
who was finally out for a battling 23, and Jack, the required 226 ended up just being a little too far out of reach, and a
noble effort ended 9 runs short to hand the hosts only their 2nd win of the season.
So despite passing 200 for the first time for 2 seasons, and individual contributions of 20 or over from 5 different players,
nobody could convert their start into the dominant performance that could have turned the game and an eventful match drew to
a close as darkness was threatening, the various antics of the afternoon resulting in the latest league finish for many years!
Summary
Southampton Community 225-8 (Turkleton 5-56)
Whiteparish 216-8 (JD 43, Trucks 39, Mr Darryl 23, Lord Harris 21, Paddy 20)
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