Dear Friends and Members of Portsmouth Cricket Club,
Last weekend after many wet weekends, all three adult teams at last managed to get the game on, however, not all three teams finished
The 1st XI - Sponsored by Rapid Response Solutions welcomed Sarisbury to St Helen's. Portsmouth won the toss and decided to bat first. Many of the top order made a start with James Christian (20) and Jordan Palmer- Goddard (32) reaching 45 before the fall of the first wicket, runs from Fraser Hay (67) and captain for the day Vikram Dawson (32) helped Portsmouth reach 213-9 from the allocated 50 overs. Before the visitors had a chance to reply, unsurprisingly, the match was hit by a rain 'shower', delaying the start of the second innings. The rain break meant Sarisbury were required to chase a revised target of 197 from 42 overs. Portsmouth started well and by the halfway point had reduced Sarisbury to 50-4 and victory looked certain, however, 94 runs by Sarisbury's captain Ricky Rawlins and a quick 50 from Joe Lovett allowed Sarisbury to reach the target in the 37th over.
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View From Silly Point
A contribution by Jamie 'Mitch' Mitchell
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The last View (in mid-July) stretched a sailing metaphor, without knowing that a Noah’s Ark reference may be more apt. Ok, so there hasn’t been forty days and forty nights of rain, but consecutive washouts over three Saturdays, along with the variety of animals that inhabit the Portsmouth 2nd XI dressing room, provides enough for a loose comparison to be made.
Fixtures away at Waterlooville 2s and home to Gosport 2s were abandoned without a ball being bowled, the latter of which did get as far as tossing up and combatants kitted up for action, before the heavens opened minutes before play was due to start. Last Saturday required Pompey’s promotion-chasers to endure the long journey into Suttoners’ Dorset location (made longer by an accident on the A31), but at least the bowlers managed to shake off some cobwebs before Mother Nature stuck her oar in.
Despite the soggy surface, seamers Joe Kooner-Evans, Harlan Randall, and Ishy Ahmad, managed to rattle the timbers of one batsman apiece. Tenacious twirler Ethan Randall snapped up a wicket of his own (a ball or two after a long-hop that nearly caused unmentionable damage to Jamie Mitchell’s whites) via a smart stumping from Ibiza-bound ‘keeper Martin Ballard-Collins – who remains tight-lipped as to his rumoured guest appearance on Made In Chelsea – to leave Suttoners staggering on 67 for 4. It was at this point when the weather intervened, leading to Micky H leading the stampede from the field. Following an early tea, and a post-shower pitch inspection, the plug was pulled on proceedings, prompting another evacuation – this time to get to HQ and support the 1s.
Weather permitting, Saturday will see the Unicorns will host New Forest-based outfit Woodgreen.
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The 3rd XI travelled to Colden Common & Otterbourne II (CCOCC)
The wet weather during the early part of the week had made it difficult to prepare the ground, and a deluge at 12.15 as CCOCC groundskeeper was giving the ground a last minute cut, meant that there was a fair few cuttings left on the ground as play commenced.
Portsmouth's skipper Andy Chapman won the toss and asked CCOCC to bat first on a very damp track. Portsmouth bowlers set about their task with CCOCC match report quoting (they) were impressed with "the excellent bowling of Marston and Havell who both caused plenty of problems for the home sides batsmen." further Portsmouth Skipper made mention of Joe Eales who bowled very well and was given the last over. Unfortunately missed opportunities and dropped catches allowed opener Leigh Steven to carry his bat on 105 not out. The CCOCC innings closed on 216-3
In reply 4 of Portsmouth's top 5 batters got into the 30's with Matthew Chapman top scoring with 37, however chasing a sizeable total in variable conditions was always going to be tricky and Portsmouth fell short reaching 186 - 8.
Fixtures
The 1st XI travels to Rowledge (1pm start)
The 2nd XI welcomes Woodgreen to St Helen's (1:30pm start)
The 3rd XI welcomes Old Netley + Highfield II to St John's College, Farlington Playing Fields
The clubhouse at St Helen's will be open.
As per usual training for u9's and younger will be on Friday as will the 'TCIF Social' when all are welcome!!
Thank you for your continued support
Portsmouth Cricket Club