First Result of 2019 – A Draw

The Queries batted first and the with the score on 5 the first wicket fell as Dan Hodder was bowled by a particularly quick delivery that just caught the top of off stump.  Tom Hunt joined Michael Harper and set about trying to build a partnership.  They managed 49 between them but King’s bowled and fielded well which made scoring difficult. Michael Harper was caught behind for 26.  Andy Phillips, under instructions to move the pace along was caught for 3, and shortly afterwards Tom Hunt was run out by a direct hit for 22.  Will Dawe was joined by Joe Dorgan.  Will Dawe, intent on pushing the score on danced down the track and was stumped for 3, whilst Martin Kirk was caught on the boundary.  Richie Millard was adjudged LBW for one which bought Jake Bunday to the crease.  He and Joe Dorgan put on a brisk 34 before Jake Bunday was run out to another direct hit for 4 – Joe Dorgan made the laboured efforts of others look particularly pedestrian ending on 65 not out, with Richard Barnes as company at the crease in the final couple of overs.  The Queries managed 138 for 8 in 38 overs.

Fearing that this might not be enough the opening attack of Joe Dorgan and Richie Millard set about constraining the King’s batsmen.  With 12 overs gone the hosts were 33 for 1, Dorgan taking the first wicket with an LBW. Joe Dorgan ended his 6 overs with figures of 1 for 21.  Richie Millard bowled his 8 overs for a miserly 12 runs taking one wicket (well caught by Dan Hodder in the outfield).  Jake Bunday bowled his 6 overs for 26 as King’s tried to accelerate and he would have taken a wicket if his father could catch …….. I am sure that it will hardly ever be mentioned again! Nick Bunday bowled 4 overs for 13 and used psychology to take 2 of his pupils’ wickets – one a sharp catch behind by Tom Hunt, the other a well judged catch by his son …… proving that it is possible to take a catch off a family member’s bowling! Michael Harper bowled well at the end with only 13 runs coming from his 4 overs and Martin Kirk took one wicket (and sharp caught and bowled) for 9 runs off his 3 overs.  King’s closed on 95 for 5 from their 31 overs.  The result was thus a draw.

Following the conclusion of the game, the Queries enjoyed the traditional ‘burnt offering and a modest libation’, before heading off.  The entire team is thanked for turning out on an April Sunday afternoon and for playing the game in such a fine spirit.  The Queries banter was certainly out of the top drawer and has been much remarked upon by the boys.  The season is now up and running!