Steep Over 50’s v Langstone
The second game for the Steep old boys saw them again fail to field a full side and only managed 9
due to the opposition turning up with 12. Even though the substitute was over 50, he did reduce the
average age of the Steep team to 63.
Skipper Ray Street won the toss and elected to bat, on a day when most people were either
watching tennis or lying on a beach.
The regular opening partnership of Dave Turnbull and Gareth Dale started well against a lively
opening attack. Dave again was unlucky to be caught for 7 mistiming a drive. Matt Evans was
elevated to number 3 and he and Gareth forged an excellent partnership of 63 for the second wicket
before Gareth was out for 38. Matt was given out LBW - to a ball that looked a tad high and leggy for an otherwise chanceless and sensible 49. Only substitute ‘Tom’ Thomas and Ray managed double
figures and when Mike Jones was caught off the back of his bat chasing a wide, the innings was over
for 131 with the best part of 6 overs remaining.
After tea, Steep’s aim was to bowl tightly and get early wickets to put pressure on the opposition.
Openers Dave and Mike bowled well for6 overs conceding only 20 runs. However the heat tookm its
toll and their next overs were less economical and a change was required. Ray came on at the top
end but could not find line nor length. Meanwhile Rudi bowled right through his 7 overs from the
bottom end and was rewarded with the wicket of the dangerous Brydon confidently caught by AJ at
point.
The damage had been done by the opening partnership of 90 with only half the allotted overs gone.
However Steep plugged away with Matt, Gareth and AJ bowling very tightly. Gareth’s first over
yielded the second wicket, an unusual dismissal, with Stride hitting his wicket after a turning delivery
tucked him up.
Langstone needed 28 runs to win at this point but still took 7 overs to get them, a testament to the
bowling, and if only Steep had made another 30 or so runs things may have been different.
So two defeats for the Over 50’s but the team spirit and enthusiasm have not been diminished and
all are looking forward to the trip to Claygate next Sunday when confidence is high that we will have
a full team.