Broadhalfpenny Brigands | Sussex Martlets

Match Report

With the original match manager absent in search of Yorkshire property, the reins had been passed to Mike Murray to assemble a team of young and not so young Martlets to take on the assortment of admirals, commodores and midshipmen that the Brigands can call on at ‘The Cradle of Cricket’.

Winning the toss, the Brigands chose to bat on an overcast and windy afternoon. The wisdom of this was possibly questioned in the other ranks after Mike Murray took 3 wickets in an over to leave them 31-3, swiftly followed by a 4th to NIchols at 50. Murray retreated from the attack after his triumphant over which proved in hindsight to be a possible tactical error as the battle-damaged fleet regrouped through the partnership of Turner (62) and admiral for the day, Henderson (94) as they took the score to 152 before Turner was run out. Henderson took the score to 209-6 before he was bowled by Fergus O’Meara.

During this period the clouds had become productive as something between light and heavy drizzle fell for a considerable time, the umpires were not to be swayed to come off though, as the scorers’ paper became increasingly damp. The last wicket to fall was to Murray as he dodged the carnage to pick up his 4th wicket with the score on 235-7 after 41.5 overs. At this point there was a ceasefire whilst tea was taken and the Martlet scorer battled with starting the second innings whilst eating coffee cake.

The Martlets started with youth in the top order and with Aaron Goode steering the reply things potentially could have gone well, has it not been for 0s from Harry Walker and Toby Toft to the deceptive Ladenburg. At 56-3 when O’Grady (16) departed there was still hope but a string of single figure scores and the dismissal of Goode for a well crafted 55 out of 94, left a draw as the only realistic target. Murray (26*) battled well , too low in the order, as did O’Meara briefly, raising hopes but the mountain was too high as the innings closed on 131.

Out-gunned and out-manouevred by the home side this time, we look forward to renewing battle next year. The Bat and Ball providing a fitting end to the day as the sun finally emerged.

Thanks to the umpires , Richard Young and Nick Harris, fellow scorer Caroline Beardall and the tea ladies for an excellent spread in the marquee.