Methlick 1st X1 vs Knightriders 2nd XI 13.07.2024
After last weeks biblical rains Methlick were at home to high-flying visitors, Knightriders, and were looking to avenge the defeat at The Links; the result heavily affected by Knightrider’s spurious umpiring. With the absence of captain Smith, risking his life savings in Las Vegas, stand in for the day, Tom Acton, took charge and winning the toss put the visitors in to bat on what would become a bad-tempered and controversial match.
Methlick bowled and fielded with great aplomb after a decent start by the Knightriders’ batters; the Butch particularly only went for 4 off his opening 4 over spell. At 80 for 3 the batting side looked well set for a big score, but the strength in depth of the MCC batting came into play as wickets started to tumble. Hordley and Veersema as first changes got into the middle order with two wickets each.
A superb running catch by Veersema, lofted high into the air from Addison was followed by a full-length salmon-like dive behind the stumps from Woodhouse to give Acton one of his four wickets of the afternoon as Knightriders slumped to 121 all out.
After tea in a very damp and humid spell of weather Woodhouse and his latest opening partner, Butch Crutchfield, took to the field and after an initial burst of tight bowling started to take control.
Methlick suffered a set-back when Woodhouse was (once again) run-out by his partner, Acton came out to the middle with the score on 34. With a strong batting line-up, a victory seemed well within the MCC grasp, but suddenly the opposition captain decided that the wicket, even though it was astroturf, was too wet to bat on. Conditions were unchanged from the start of the day.
The game then descended into farce as the bowler tried to deliver a ball and promptly “dived” with the aplomb of a Premiership footballer, much to the shock and amusement of the home team and spectators.
The Knightriders captain refused to continue the match and after various pitch inspections the game was called off. Methlick have issued a complaint and appeal to the Grades committee and are waiting for the result of the outcome, but once again the result was affected by a serious lack of sportsmanship from Knightriders.
Next week MCC go to Duthie Park for hopefully a back-to-back victory against a much more sporting side, Portcullis.
Todays match ball sponsors were Liz and Colin Addison in memory of ex-captain, Tim Duffy
By Mark Woodhouse