Longparish Cricket Club

Saturday, 17th May 2008 - 2:00 pm

Godshill: 158 for 1

Longparish 2nd XI: 157 for 7

Match Report

The Northern part of the New Forest this week for Longparish II; arriving in midday gloom to find Muffin the Mule sat at square leg, and a cow and calves positioned on the boundary ready to provide drinks, or maybe top a barbie.  A beautiful setting on top of a hill with extensive views around two thirds of the ground, the pitch and pavilion a little less spectacular; The Wizard council of the new forest denying any application by the club to improve facilities. The one room pavilion lacking electricity, the outfield a lunar landscape, Longparish’s rabbit problem, paling into insignificance in comparison to the herds of various beasties that cross the Godshill ground. The side are a happy and talented one and were strong favourites to win this match.

With the temperature plummeting and the wind increasing in strength, Nora the scorer retreated to the Godshill bunker, where her outline was frequently framed by the bare backsides of the incoming batsmen preparing themselves for battle immediately behind her head. Longparish batted first, on a tricky wicket that showed early signs of uneven bounce.  Adam Lister carrying on where he had left off the previous week, putting on 40 with Warren Bonathon for the first wicket before Bonathon was dismissed.  Lister batted on, first with Andy Lorimer and briefly with Mike Wakefield before he was bowled for 51. Steve Benco and William de Cani added a further 48 before Benco was out after clubbing 37, de Cani bowled shortly afterwards for 21.  Pete Lawrence added a quickfire 12 to take the Longparish total to 158 from 42 overs.

After a superb tea, the various mustangs and steers were chased from the ground and the game resumed; parish’s opening bowlers Warren Bonathon and Mike Wakefield bowling a tight line restricting the Godshill reply. William de Cani threw down the stumps from cover with the batsman narrowly home before Wakefield picked up the first wicket. Godshill opener Pollard skying the ball, the entire New Forest falling silent in nervous anticipation as the ball descended upon Chris de Cani, who athletically made up two yards of ground to cling onto the ball with his fat thumbs. In hindsight it may have been better to drop the catch, Godshill’s Jake Cooper coming to the crease to strike a brutal 96 and see his side to victory.  Warren Bonathon had several good shouts for lbw denied, Matt Jackman and Jack Tosdevine bowled their hearts out, but nothing could deny the smashing blade of Godshill’s Cooper.