On Sunday, the Buccs returned to Frensham, with their youthful side eager to bounce back and regain some winning momentum for the rest of the season.
A 35-over game had been agreed, and the toss was won by the 10-man Buccs, with A. Marsh choosing to bat first on what looked like a good deck.
J. Marsh and E. Kalidasan took the reins of opening and batted sensibly, but aggressively from the off, capitalising on any loose Frensham bowling they were presented with and utilising the short boundaries on offer. J. Marsh fell for a well put together 35 and was replaced at the crease by M. Sutton. More sensible batting from both followed, with M. Sutton eager to knock-in his brand new MRF willow. When Sutton fell just after drinks for 33, the platform had been set for the Buccs lads to up the tempo at the crease. Some mighty blows were shared by Kalidasan and ringer X. Barette, including what can only be described as a Djokovic-esque forehand slap over mid-on by Barette. After Barette’s departure for 24 and as Kalidasan passed 50, the Buccs middle order carried on the tempo demanded by the skipper, with both W. Gresswell, H. Machin and L. Milne ticking the scoreboard over with some mighty blows (including four consecutive Gresswell maximums), all the while supporting Kalidasan who was still at the crease and edging towards a potential major milestone…Alas, it proved to be one mighty hit too many for Kalidasan, top-edging one straight to the Frensham keeper, four short of what would have been a well-deserved first Buccs century. A thunderous Milne six off the last ball of the innings perfectly capsulated what had been a middle order Buccs barrage, and with that the Buccs finished 253-6 off their 35 overs, with a star-studded bowling lineup ready to defend the fabulous total our batsman had set.
A quicker than usual Buccs tea was taken and enjoyed, and after a short turn around, the Buccs were limbered up and had taken the field, with Milne and Rydon given new ball duties. Some beautiful bowling from both followed, mixed in with some sharp Buccs fielding, with both bowlers picking up wickets in their very first overs. This would set the precedent of what was to come and after Rydon claimed his second and third, the Buccs were into the middle order with Frensham at 50-4. Skipper A. Marsh decided it was his turn to get into the action and not satisfied with only one-leg spinner on, H. Machin took the reins at the other end. Both bowled tidily and with guile, with A. Marsh taking a couple of Frensham middle order wickets, and Machin unfortunate to go wicketless from his seven overs. After a spectacular Rydon run out at backwards square leg, A. Marsh and Machin were replaced by Barette and J. Marsh to attack the Frensham lower order. Barette claimed his first Buccs wicket thanks to the safe hands of Sutton and it was left to J. Marsh to mop up the Frensham tail, picking up two wickets including a fabulous Gresswell grab at mid-on, who fielded like a man possessed all day, to leave Frensham 153 all out.
It was a well-executed Buccs performance and a richly deserved victory, which was timed to perfection allowing ample time for the lads to get home in ample time to watch England defeat Serbia (in what was the second biggest sporting event on show that Sunday). The lads will be keen to keep this winning momentum going. On to Brook on Sunday 30th…
Scorecard
Buccaneers Innings
J. Marsh c&b L. Rhoades 35
E. Kalidasan c L. Milne b M. Findlay 96
M. Sutton st L. Milne b A. Warren 33
X. Barette st. L. Milne b S. Platt 24
W. Gresswell b M. Findlay 32
L. Milne not out 9*
H. Machin c L. Milne b M. Findlay 21
A. Marsh not out 1*
R. Rydon
T. Fletcher
253-6 (35 overs)
Frensham Innings
C. Ward c W. Gresswell b L. Milne 0
S. Platt b R. Rydon 0
M. Taylor c X.Barette b R. Rydon 14
R. Doran c T. Fletcher b A. Marsh 31
A. Warren c J. Marsh b R. Rydon 7
R. Doran run out R. Rydon 16
AL. Warren c W. Gresswell b J.Marsh 45
L. Rhoades b A.Marsh 6
L. Milne c M. Sutton b X. Barette 10
C. Doran c H. Machin b J. Marsh 10
M. Findlay not out 0*
153 all out (29.5 overs)
Buccaneers Bowling Figures
L. Milne 5-0-33-1
R. Rydon 6-0-15-3
A. Marsh 7-1-22-2
H. Machin 7-0-43-0
X. Barette 3-0-21-1
J. Marsh 1.5-1-10-2