ELMSTEAD GRASSHOPPERS v MISTLEY

Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division one

(Mistley won by 86 runs)

A COMPREHENSIVE victory last Saturday earned the Swans their first back-to-back wins of 2015.

In the process, they left their lowly hosts languishing at the bottom of the table.

After heavy rainfall the previous day, there was much intrigue as to how the pitch would look.

With the wicket on the green and damp side, both captains walked to the middle hoping to bowl first.

However, Mistley’s Daniel Goff was the one left disappointed, with his side taking first use of the wet surface.

Having played on a similar surface at Wivenhoe, and seen them post a large total, the skipper told his players to knuckle down and ignore any preconceived ideas about the wicket.

And with the fruitful opening partnership of Graeme Butcher and Jarryd Walsh restored to the top of the order, this is exactly what the pair did.

The ball skidded about early in the innings, which helped them get off to a flying start, going at more than seven runs an over for the first six.

As the wicket dried and the bowlers began to find their line and length, the scoring rate dropped slightly but no breakthrough could be found.

The hundred partnership was brought up after Walsh had compiled another fine 50.

The South African run-machine went on to complete his sixth century of the season, while also going past 1,000 runs.

This is a remarkable achievement, with only 15 games gone.

Taking up his usual role as aggressor to Butcher’s accumulator, he reached three figures before his partner had reached his half-century.

The manipulation of Daniel White during his brief spell was the highlight, culminating in a deft reverse sweep for four that led to the bowler being withdrawn from the attack.

When Butcher passed 50, the score had rattled along to 150, with the visitors in complete control.

The pair were eyeing up another 200-run partnership but this was not to be as Butcher’s concentration slipped and he was bowled for a well-made 59.

Walsh departed a few overs later for 114, leaving James Scott and Ben Allday to push the score out of reach of the home team.

However, both fell in the teens, selflessly chasing quick runs.

Goff came in and worked the ball around, scampering between the wickets but lacking his usual dashing strokeplay.

Stuart Dove briefly provided this, quickly into his stride with a six towards the pavilion.

However, he could not maintain the big hitting and was bowled before Toby Allday perished to the final ball of the innings with the score at 255 for six.

It was felt the strong total, coupled with a slow, drying wicket, would be beyond the capabilities of the bottom-of-the-table side.

However, there was still work to be done.

Jason Pembroke opened the bowling and was a little full at first, being taken for some early boundaries.

However, when the first wicket fell, the scoreboard seemed to stand still.

Pembroke and wicket-taker Tim Scott put a stranglehold on things before Goff introduced himself and Bruce Leeke to continue the miserly bowling.

The result was almost beyond doubt by the 20-over mark with the Grasshoppers’ curious approach giving them far too much to do in the remaining overs.

Toby Allday came on to bowl his leg spin and ended up with three wickets, perhaps reaping the rewards from previous good displays in weeks before.

Wickets tumbled with regularity after a decent second-wicket partnership had been broken by Leeke.

The two opening bowlers were then brought back to finish things off, with the writing well and truly on the wall.

This was a good team display in the field, with wickets shared around, and ended a pleasing day for Goff’s men.