Swanton's All Stars Home Sunday 4th June 2000
SAS 189 All Out in the 40th over. Morris 112. Woodrow 51. M.Pearce 3-41.
Oldbury 192 for 7. B.Pearce 54. J.Russell 35. G.Porter 21. Drew 3-14.
Oldbury won by three wickets.
After two cancelled fixtures, this was a great game played in great weather with a great spirit from both sides, and of course, a great result!
Things didn't look good for Oldbury after an opening stand of 91 from SAS openers Morris (112) and Woodrow (51) came in very quick time. The scoring pace slowed with Matthew Pearce taking 3-41, and ultimately, the last five SAS wickets fell with only 1 run between them. This included Morris running out two of the Drew family for ducks and leaving the other on 0 not out - a fact he was reminded of in the Ship afterwards!
Oldbury had expected a larger target, and well-fuelled after his tea and obviously keen to get home to finish his roof, Bill Pearce set about the SAS attack with relish! His fifty came in double-quick time, putting on 72 for the first wicket with Nigel (tortoise) Hopkins, Bill making 54. Gerald Porter maintained the pace with a brisk 21, followed by a more leisurely 35 from Jim Russell. Russell and Ken Phelps hung around with some tighter bowling - despite heckling from an increasing nervous team - paving the way for some bigger hits from Matthew Pearce, Ian Knapp and Derek Garrett to see Oldbury home with a few overs to spare. Pessimism from Gerald Porter was unfounded costing him a pint in the Ship afterwards.
Champagne moments:
Bill Pearce's 50
Mark Russell, who fielded for the SAS, catching a flamboyant high cover drive from Nigel Hopkins, risking retribution at a later date
Dropped catches by Jim Russell and Nigel Hopkins - who else!
Three wickets for Matt Pearce
Seven of the side reaching double figures - surely a first for OOSVCC