Bradninch 1st XI versus Stoke Gabriel 1st XI
Saturday 12th July 2003 at Bradninch

Winning the toss and batting on a flat, dry wicket Bradninch set themselves a target of 240 with an early declaration and as Gary Newall was delayed by a hospital appointment, Andy Nichols joined Chris Acton to open the innings. Early caution against the Stoke Gabriel seam attack paved the way for a flurry of runs as the bowlers tired, before Chris was bowled around his legs for 26 out of an opening stand of 54.

With Andy making the most of his impromptu return to opening, Gary was able to settle in to a supporting role and as the partnership unfolded the run rate quickened until Gary was yorked with the score on a very healthy 126 after 26 overs. Tim Piper, batting one place lower than usual at number four, looked confident and keen to maintain the momentum, but Andy was soon run out attempting a very tight second.

Joel Murphy came to the wicket and the runs continued to flow, but an uppish drive by Tim was well caught at mid-off and Ross Acton arrived to help take the score towards 200 prior to making way for Paul Nott, with less than 10 overs remaining. A familiar burst of hitting earned Paul 28 off just 11 balls and it could have continued had he not been run out after being restrained by a slower delivery, attempting a fourth consecutive six as the score sped past 240 with more than three overs to go.

Another 22 were added before the declaration left the visiting side to chase 263 to win off 47 overs. (Joel Murphy 75 not out, Andy Nichols 63, Gary Newall 28, Paul Nott 28 and D. Yeoman 3-50).

A fast outfield and true, sun baked wicket gave the Stoke Gabriel batsmen the chance to be positive and the opening pair batted sensibly taking the score to 62 without loss at the first drink�s break. With the batsmen�s concentration broken, Joel took immediate advantage clean bowling the right-handed opener, which started a steady collapse as the incoming players failed to rise to the challenge.

A persistently nagging line and length by Andy combined with a fiery burst from Joel closed down the scoring and the middle order found themselves needing 200 to win off 25 overs. With a rate of 8 per over and an increasing likelihood of a draw the Captain brought himself in to the attack to make something happen. A couple of boundaries from his first over lulled the Stoke Gabriel batsmen in to a false sense of security, as his next four overs produced three wickets for three runs to leave them suspended on 74 for 6 with just 15 overs left.

A late charge by the number seven took the score past 100, 125 and finally 150, but although he shepherded the lower order well, three wickets in the last three overs presented Bradninch with two balls at the number eleven to seal victory. The young Stoke Gabriel batsman survived and the innings closed on 154 for 9 to give the home side their second winning draw in as many weeks. (Chris Acton 3-12, Joel Murphy 3-37, Paul Nott 2-24 and M. Burrows 31 not out). Bradninch 15 points, Stoke Gabriel 6.