Misfits nealy pull of Surprise Win at Woolpit

Woolpit Academy 211 for 6


C Daniels 48 Not Out, G Artingdale 41, K Flannican 39.


P Richards 3 for 27.


Hartest and Coldham Hall CC 194 All Out


J Armstrong 60, S Holder 28 Not Out, D Armstrong 25, J Armitage 24.




 First sentence is to thank all the guys that helped in putting a team on the park as at one point it could have been conceded which would have been a massive disappointment.


With top five batsmen all missing and including a lot of bowling missing to actually get close is a major credit to those who gave it a go, five non regular guys some who usually follow us around played plus put in a real good effort especially under a new and up coming Captain Mark Atkinson from me big thanks.


The new temporary Skipper filling in won the toss and had no hesitation in putting Woolpit into bat with an Armstrong joint attack on a road at Woolpit with not a lot in it for the bowlers plus a lightening [told we would see loads in the days leading up to the game, trust me the only lightening was the outfield] outfield.


Daddy Armstrong struck first bowling Ellis for 11 and the score on 17 was a good start, Jack Armstrong came steaming in, his bowling plus the oppressive conditions where your sweat was sweating!


Captain Mark Atkinson needed a partnership breaker as Flannigan [should be Allen, for the older people reading this] Artingdale had steadied the ship and scoring a bit to freely, turned to Peter Richards who had a niggle of an injury something doing a door for Kate I believe, but broke the partnership up after tying Flannigan down bowled him for 39.


Peter Richards was bowling well and keeping one end as good as shut, Jim Armitage a new player [went off bought new kit for the occasion] came onto bowl and in the circumstances not bowling for quite a few years did a very good job containing as best we could.


Peter took three wickets but that painting the door injury blew up on his final over and Captain Mark Atkinson stepped in to bowl last three balls.


Sam Holder another player who has made a couple of appearances in three / four years bowled very well towards the end with good pace claiming a wicket in his spell plus a run out which Wicket keeper Josh Borley threw down the pitch and take another Woolpit man out of the game.


Nick Rutter came on to try some spin but had no luck and Woolpit finished on 211 for six which probably does not show that the commitment in the field across the team was exceptional.


Ben Cronin fielded very well and showed some great pace saved a lot of runs as did others, Jake Rutter, and Sam Holder hung on to a difficult catch, basically the team of misfits did Hartest and Coldham proud in the field whether they could do the same with the bat................


After a lovely tea from Woolpit, [there Captain was very generous in saying that the home tea at the Richards Oval was the best they had all season on away trips] the stand in Captain Mark Atkinson led by example by opening with Josh Borley.


As it turned out 10 off the first over I thought I had turned into Robbo who came up and supported the team from the side lines, however a low one caught bottom of bat and played on dismissed for 14 with the score on 14.


Elevated players Jack Armstrong and Dave Armstrong batting 3 and 4 were soon together and the boys did the team and club proud, Jack "beefy" Armstrong smashed the ball everywhere, had a bit of luck on a couple of occasions but fortune favours the brave, it was classical Beefy shorts, with Dave "the daddy" Armstrong joining in but more supportive roll, the two put on 83 runs and Jack getting his maiden fifty for the club with a warm embrace from Dad.


As it happens in Cricket not long after the drinks break and the heat with tiredness creeping in the partnership was split by first Jack stumped for a super 60 I am sure he will remember for his whole life with his Dad the other end to see it but he to soon departed a ball or two later for a good knock of 25.


With batting a bit low [understatement] out came Jim Armitage and Shaun Faires who unknown to each other until today got in and played some nice shots plus excellent running between the wicket grabbing runs wherever put on 34 runs before Shaun was caught and bowled, the score on 140 for 5 after 30 overs.


Heroics did not end there as Jim was joined by Sam Holder and carried on the Vaillant effort of still trying to secure that very far looking victory but Woolpit knew there was not much in this game.


Sam played very well striking the ball but a slightly harsh LBW saw the back of Jim but not for long as Peter Richards came out to bat carrying that Painting injury sustained earlier in the day and very kindly the Woolpit skipper allowed a runner, Jim was back although a bit confusing Peter was hitting the ball hard and in one shot an enormous six over the bowlers head but his restrictive movement saw him stumped charging down the wicket for 19 and the score on to 183 for 7.


Still on although the overs were disappearing fast and Ben Cronin making his debut came out and without being unkind was not full of knowledge of the game, no guard 6 inches outside leg stump but truly joined in party banging a couple of good shots running for all his mite trying to eke out extra runs but Woolpit were in the tails. tail by now and Sam Holder was still getting runs.


Jake Rutter came out and scored a run then took a risky single and similarly demise run out like in the first innings with Josh Borley but the bowler threw down the stumps bringing in last man Nick "nutter the" Rutter with only a couple of balls to go to which he was bowled with the last ball of the day.


A fantastic game, major credit goes to Hartest and Coldham, some superb performances from Jack Armstrong and Sam Holder who was 28 not out although maybe and edge behind perhaps should look to walk next time.


Hopefully the normal skipper will be back and select a team but one or two have given themselves every chance of making the team on a more regular basis.


Just a note after trying all week to get a team and thanks to Nick Rutter and Jack Armstrong in helping me find 11, can I ask if the skipper texts your availability you can answer as quick as you can to a definitely no, a maybe but will have to let you know or the preferred answer yes, I found that this would be useful and I am sure he would, I know some have work duties not a problem but a maybe early enough would help him finding 11 on a Sunday.


Next week its Acton Away and hopefully we will have a few players back, once again thank you to the players who helped  me today in the field and batting, it's what Cricket is all about.


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