WINTERBOURNE A 436-6 CHILCOMPTON 1sts XI 269-6
Chili were comprehensively beaten in a run-fest at Winterbourne. After losing the toss in front of just three teammates, the hosts asked Ben Futcher’s personalities to bowl on a pitch reminiscent of the Bristol Road they had just driven up on.
Once the rest of his group finally arrived, it was all hands on deck as Bourne wasted no time in despatching the ball to both the long and mini-boundaries. The players on the adjacent track were in regular danger from the amount of sixes being pummelled, while the hedges took an equally lethal pounding. It was labour for the away bowlers, with fielding at times showing signs of promise, but at others failing to live up to expectation.
One opening bat was especially brutal, going on to make a double-hundred, not before a chance went begging when still on two figures. Despite toiling, Chili fought to the end, notably Rob Bath with his lofty floaters (2-23); however, the remaining bowlers were wishing they could screw up the scorebook and recycle the paper – struggling for rhythm, consistency and joy.
During tea, the visitors agreed that 43 from each batsman would be sufficient to see the game through, yet this plan and the target remained a daunting prospect. Skipper, Futcher, and James Purchase started smoothly, punishing the loose balls whenever possible and taking quick singles. Credit to Winterbourne’s bowling and fielding, of a higher standard than the boys from the CSG, in its approach and its execution.
Futcher brought up a fluent 50 but fell caught for 60 before three swift wickets – including Purchase for a stylish 46 – all of which were extremely avoidable. Chili’s Achilles’ Heel of hunting down a score was swelling again, the evergreen Jared Greenhalgh inviting Alex Fudge to try and recreate the previous season’s heroics at this ground. Suffice to mention, this was an entirely contrasting set of circumstances with the away side still 300 short at the halfway stage.
Greenhalgh was dogged but then sheepish when given out but walked back, leaving Fudge and Kyle Gloudmans to restore some pride with some fluidity. The former was run out for 28, before Gloudmans (53*) and Bath (25*) underlined their talents in a much-changed Chili outfit. However, the chase was now closer to pointless as the effort was significantly out of reach.