St Lukes V Whyteleafe – Saturday 2nd June 2007
St Lukes 1st XI

Ed Hardwicke
Karl Quinn
Jo Durnall
Michael Krishna
Andy McArthur
Richard Bent
Dieter Grutzner
James Somers
Evan Huyerman
Tim Blatt
Jason Custance

After 2 losses in a row and many first team players unavailable the match against Whyteleafe was going to test the squad of St Luke’s players. Fortunately the second team only had a friendly so by weakening the second team it wasn’t going to dent the impressive start of 3 wins in a row for them. This is a habit we don’t want repeated to often, but in saying that all players coming into the 1st team played their part in a good game of cricket.  

The set up at Whyteleafe was very impressive albeit a wonky shaped outfield. There were a few whispers of a few players migrating there next season (joke…I think) The weather was also quite warm, and the toughest test of the day seemed to be to see if Michael could put up the little tent he bought for Riana.

Hardwicke won the toss the opposition was sent in.

Jason and Karl opened the bowling and did well initially to contain the opening batsmen. Custance did find the edge of the opening batsmen with Tim Blatt putting down a sharp chance with the batsmen on 0. Fortunately for Tim, he only went on to make 90 odd and didn’t go on to make a big hundred, otherwise Tim might have been feeling a little down.

Karl, did make a earlyish breakthrough, however it took quite a while to get a second wicket and Whyteleafe were starting to get away. Michael was initially quite expensive. He did however pick up the second wicket and St Luke’s started to turn it around. In what seemed a probable target of 230 plus for Whyteleafe, St Luke’s pulled it back through some good bowling and fielding restricting the home side to 8 - 193. Once again Hardwicke took a sharp chance and most chances were held. In the end Karl finished with 2 -28, Tim 3 – 44 and Jason 2- 31. Special mention to Dieter and Karl who patrolled the boundaries well and Jo, who managed to knock 2 balls over the boundary in his pursuits.

St Lukes now required 194 for victory.

With many top batsmen unavailable the captain improvised with Karl as his opening partner. Quinn made his intentions early hitting a boundary in the first over. This aggression continued and with the score on 19, Hardwicke’s struggle with the bat continued stroking a ball straight to cover and out for 3. There was then an 88 run partnership between Jo and Karl, with Karl being the aggressor. The boundaries were not small and his 3 sixes amongst his many other boundaries were a delight to watch. With the wicket being two paced, the slow bowlers of Whyteleafe started to get on top of the St Luke’s batsmen. Jo was finally out for a patient 15 and Andy was out for 5. With Michael and Richard in, it was hoped that they could carry St Luke’s home. However they were out in consecutive balls for 26 and 14 respectively, leaving the lower order a tricky 25 runs to get with balls running out.

James, was striking the ball well and with 2 overs left St Luke’s still needed 17 runs from the last 2 overs. Victory was slipping away. Pressure was on and with the first ball of the second last over Somers, proceeded to play the shot of the match (Karl may argue there) and crunched the ball back over the bowler and his boundary fielders for a massive 6, the cheer from the St Luke’s players and supporters was enormous, and the pressure relieved somewhat. Every run, was cheered whole heartedly and with one ball remaining, Tim Blatt strode to the crease with St Luke’s still needing 1 run off the last ball. Would his goal of 100 not out’s continue or would Whyteleafe find a dent in his armour to succumb St Luke’s to a 3rd loss in a row ??

Fortunately Tim, got some pad on the ball, and James, strode through bringing to an end and exciting and well deserved win for St Luke’s.

Great effort guys, a real club effort.

Man of Match: Karl Quinn

Fines: None