Free Foresters

Sussex Martlets 209, Sam Carter 50

Free Foresters 188 – 7, Richard Allum 5 – 59

This match was played in great spirit and clearly highlights that wandering cricket has much to offer the game. Ben Green won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first. However at 19 – 3 and 62 – 5 he did wonder about his choice! Sam Carter anchored the innings with a well controlled 50 and there were excellent innings from Chris Gray, Patrick Jackson, Richard Allum and Nick Hayday. Andrew Cantrell finished the innings with a flourish as the Martlets finished 209 all out. Free Foresters bowled tightly and held their catches.

The Martlets took the field and immediately struck as Green pulled off an entertaining stop at Mid On and Rich Allum picked up the loose ball and threw down the stumps with their opening batsman millimetres short of his crease. Andrew Cantrell and Ben Green bowled tightly but no further breakthroughs came before tea and the score was 40 – 1 as cake and sandwiches were tucked into.

After tea spin was introduced in the form of Mike Murray and Rich Allum and this is when the game changed as 75 – 1 became 80 – 6 as great bowling put the Free Foresters under much pressure. The Free Foresters then looked to counter attack and a 108 run partnership swung the game back in their favour as Choudry and Martin batted well together. Martlets unfortunately dropped both players during this partnership. Martin eventually succumbed to Allum who finished the game with excellent figures of 12-5-59-5. The game finished in a draw despite some powerful hitting by Choudry.

This was a very enjoyable day and it was a pleasure to captain this side. Both Robin Burns and Trevor Drake contributed to the game also and my thanks to them.

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