Penn Street vs Little Missenden

Penn Street 115-10 (T. Armiger 30, M. Bannister 23; M. Lambert 4-29, C. Batchelder 3-15) drew with Little Missenden 109-8 (J. Lyne 45; J. Slade 2-10, T. Armiger 2-19, J. Mendy 2-44)

Penn Streets first game of the 2012 season was a long time coming. With the first 7 fixtures cancelled due to the poor weather over the past month, the boys were keen and hungry to get to work. Sun tans were faded from the our last fixture in Cape Town and we travelled to neighbours Little Missenden and although weather conditions were slightly different, the picturesque setting were able to compete with the scenery in its own Chilterns way . . . . .

The wicket was a very green affair and slightly moist and Captain Nick Loftus would have done well to win this toss and bowl first. Luck was not with him and Little Missenden decided to bowl first in warm, if not a little windy conditions. Matt Bannister and Steve Exton opened up for Penn Street and although conditions were difficult they did manage to adjust well and score some well earned runs. Banny got his first score of the season with 23 and Steve fell first and contributed 15 to the war chest. Penn Street then proceeded to get their first middle order collapse out the way early in the season until Nick came into to steady the ship with 16 but the real star of the innings was Tyler who hit 30 invaluable runs to help Penn Street muster a total 115.

A textbook tea was enjoyed by all and it was felt 115 was more than defendable score on a wicket which was proving unpredictable….

Goody opened the proceedings up for Penn Street with some accurate bowling and his new tactic of working of a 10 step run up seemed to be a successful change. Mendy sporting a new star tattoo was hoping to carry on his fine form from South Africa but Little Missenden were a tough nut to crack and Penn Street were not able to get a break through.

15 overs passed and although Goody and Mendy bowled well enough (Goody only going for 6 runs of 7 overs) it was felt it was time for a change and young Tyler was bought into the attack and soon enough the breakthrough came with one of the opening bats being dismissed for 6. Tyler soon took another wicket to double his tally and fellow youngster Jack Slade was enjoyed a fantastic 4 over spell taking 2 wickets in succession until his captain took him of. A hat trick ball awaits young Jack in his next game.

Although it felt that Missenden were a little of the pace in chasing down Penn Streets score they quietly went about their business and slowly chipped away at the total and as 6pm and the last 20 overs approached many felt the game the was heading for stalemate. Their opener had been around a while and was getting his eye in and showed no signs of giving his wicket away as he built a decent partnership with a middle order batsmen who all of sudden bought the game in their favour. Fortunately Mendy who grafted well got his reward with Bannister taking a superb catch to halt their advance and see the end of their opener who fell 7 short of a half-century.

Two further wickets were required in the last 6 exciting overs but Little Missenden held for a well-earned draw. Who said time games were boring……..

Man of the Match: T. Armiger