LILLEY (209-9, G Tompkins 77), Ryde (241-8, G Tompkins 2-45) – MATCH ABANDONED AS A DRAW, RAIN
Another 40 over clash, this time at the impressive Ryde Cricket Ground – not the Cavaliers as per last year. The home side won the toss and batted on what looked to be and indeed proved to be, an absolute belter.
Tim Perry struck with his very first delivery, bowling opener Drysdale. The home side then began to put runs on the board, although Brad Tompkins put down a chance off Ashby early on. Ryde amassed 68 for the second wicket before a brilliant Ken Hammond run out accounted for seasoned opener Moorman. Qureshi and Hammond continued wheeling away, although runs still came despite wickets falling. Taz picked up two and Ken one, all bowled. Berendt hit 75 for the home team, chancing his luck as he was dropped at deep mid on by the skipper, however late wickets from Tompkins (2-45) and Perry (1-54), kept them in check. Ryde still posted a useful 241-8 in 40 overs.
Lilley’s reply was sensational. GT and Flan sent the ball to all parts and cruised along at 8 an over, puting on 75 for the first wicket. The partnership was cruelly cut short though by a howler of a decision from an ageing umpire who was frankly well past it. Flan was adjudged LBW for 26. Perry (22) and GT continued in the same form however, puting on a quickfire 46 for the second wicket as the light began to fail and an approaching storm rumbled in the distance. Perry’s dismissal sparked a collapse, as GT was dismissed in controversial circumstances again for 77, caught off a ball which bounced twice and Ashby (3), Brad Tompkins (7), Hammond (8) and Mellor (1) all followed soon after, the latter two run out after confusion with calling with Taz Qureshi.
Qureshi stood firm however and he and Stew Collinson (14) put together a good partnership as Lilley closed in on victory. Collinson became the third run out casualty of the game, run out by half a mile and Paddington failed to register a tour run with another duck. With the rain falling and lightning getting ever closer, Nick Collis strode to the crease for his second Lilley batting appearance ever and promptly flicked his first ever run in cricket, to finish 1 not out. Taz Qureshi hit the next ball for four but the umpires brought both teams off as the thunder storm descended, leaving the match abandoned as a draw.
Joel Mellor’s eyes then healed up due to dodgy contacts and Ken made an addition to the home teams shampoo as Lilley drank the night away in the pouring rain.
Unbeaten in nine now…
LILLEY (193-8, Hammond 64, Ashby 63) beat Brading (143-6, Ashby 2-18) by 50 runs
After a morning of beach football, Lilley descended on pretty Brading CC for the first match of the 2005 tour. Skipper Ashby won the toss and elected to bat as Lilley attempted to maintain their winning streak in a 40 over clash.
GT and Flan went in to kick things off, but Lilley were immediately in trouble as the South African was lbw to a shooter. Qureshi (6), Flanagan (8) and Brad Tompkins (14) followed and at 37-4, Lilley were staring down the pan. Ken Hammond (64) and Ashby (63) then put on 123 for the fifth wicket as Lilley clawed their way back into the game. Perry (15 not out) finished the job, although not before Craig Paddington had skipped down the wicket and got stumped. He even fell over. Lilley posted 193-8 in 40 overs.
The home side never came to terms with Lilley’s bowling. Ashby clean bowled Hailes and Perry did the same with a cracking slower ball to Riley. Wickets continued to fall, Ashby bagging another to finish with 2-18 and GT removed L Hailes’ off stump out of the ground. Hammond forced Gurney to edge to the skipper at 1st slip, but the light was fading fast. Lilley turned to Taz Qureshi’s off spin and Stew Collinson’s medium pace to finish the remaining overs quickly, which they did with aplomb. Collinson picked up a wicket also, finding R Hailes’ edge for Taz to take a fine catch in the gully.
Lilley’s fielding was sprightly and enthusiastic, with Nick Collis starring with some stops that you won’t find in any text book! Brading finished on 143-6, 50 short of Lilley’s total. Eight wins on the trot…onto Sunday’s oppo, Ryde…after a few beers, naturally…
