Putney seconds secure winning draw against Roehampton

A much changed Putney fought back to earn a winning draw at Roehampton in a game that was live until the end.

We won the toss and put them in on a damp pitch but had to wait a long time for our reward. Roehampton's openers made it to 80 against tight bowling, especially David Jones (13-5-22-1). How could he bowl so well for only one wicket? There were many oohs and ahs as miscues failed to go to hand and Jones himself failed to hold a thick edge of Murad at third slip.

But Murad (9-2-42-0) started leaking runs and it was down Ben Brook to haul us back in the game. It was his best spell for a long time and he bowled a tight line with much movement for great figures of 5 for 53 off 16. James Hannaford picked up four fine catches behind the stumps through good footwork but was occasionally untidy. Charles Smulian took for 3-26 off 4.5 overs towards the end but got carted by their #11 (19*) in the final over. We leaked 48 extras (their top score) in their 214 total.

We made an unconvincing start at 40-3 but David Jones (42) and Murad (33) combined to give us a chance. Both played well but we were now behind the clock as big shots frequently picked out fielders. Stuart Gillies changed the game for us striking 74 with 14 fours, very strong through the legside, as their short leg will attest (the ball hitting him on his helmeted head so hard that the ball still went second bounce for four). He carried all our hopes, combining with Murad and Smulian (16) in important partnerships.

60 off 7, 40 off 4, 20 off 2 became 14 off seven balls when he was out. Rodney played out the last over as we finished 8 down and ten short for a winning draw.

Could, woulda, shoulda....

August 15, 2011