2018 Season Match Reports

Lavant vs Singleton 30th September

Lavant’s last game of the season was away to Singleton on a cloudy but warm autumn afternoon. Singleton won the toss and elected to bat first in a forty over game. Dave Maclean had a fine opening spell, returning figures of 5-2-1-6, ably supported by Ian Rawnsley’s spell of 5-1-0-17. Stanford was the pick of the Singleton batsmen scoring 84 before he was bowled as Maclean returned for his second spell. Lavant’s skipper, Steve Brooker, set fields to keep Stanford off strike and this restricted Singleton’s total to 176-8 at the end of their 40 overs. Rawnsley took two wickets in his last over but couldn’t quite manage a hat trick. Mark Sullivan chipped in with two wickets, Brooker and Danny Berkley had one wicket each. Maclean ended up with figures of 8-4-2-14, an inspired spell of pace bowling.

Maclean opened the batting in Lavant’s reply and quickly took control adding most of the runs in the opening partnership of 52. Lavant’s innings stuttered slightly as two quick wickets fell but Brooker steadied the reply as Maclean continued his onslaught of the Singleton bowlers. Maclean was finally out for 93 when he miscued a shot which took the leading edge and spiralled up into the air to be caught at square leg. Lavant at this stage required 30 runs for victory and these were picked off by Brooker, then Dave Burford and Rawnsley hitting the winning runs to give Lavant a victory by 6 wickets with seven overs to spare. Lavant’s skipper commented it was a nice way to end the season with a win followed by a drink at the Singleton Tavern.

Lavant vs DACD 15th September

Lavant’s stand-in skipper, Ian Rawnsley, lost the toss but this proved a blessing in disguise.

DACD elected to bat then proceeded to lose wickets at regular intervals due to the nagging accuracy of the Lavant bowling attack. Lord put up a dogged fight in the middle order for his 28, but 120 all out was well short of their desired total. Russell and Sullivan were especially impressive with the ball during their respective 8-over, 2-wickets spells.

Low targets are often hard to reach, particularly where Lavant are concerned. When Rawnsley went for a duck at the end of the first over in reply and Hudson followed soon after, the outlook was bleak. Smith fell with the score at 27 after a spirited cameo, but that only brought two experienced campaigners together. Brooker & Dave Burford virtually steered the visitors home with a battling 70-run partnership. Both had to dig deep for their runs as the wicket was harder to score off than it looked.

DACD’s Whyatt took all four Lavant wickets to fall, including Brooker (caught & bowled for 29), but he couldn’t dislodge Burford. The latter crowned a gutsy display (45 not out) with a flat-batted slap to the deep cover boundary, resulting in a welcome 6-wicket victory for Lavant.

Lavant vs Arundel Grasshoppers 1st September

Arundel Grasshoppers asked Lavant to bat first on a green strip and their decision was vindicated as Lavant lost their first two wickets, bowled Glenn, in the first three overs. Skipper Steve Brooker steadied the innings with a captain’s knock returning his highest score this season, ably supported by Alex Burford and Dave Carrol. Lavant’s tail wagged briefly with Lee Russell, visiting player James Allen, and Sam Hadnett adding valuable runs. Lavant were all out for an under par 113 with twenty minutes remaining until tea. The pick of the Arundel Grasshopper’s bowlers were Glenn with figures of 6-3-2-7 and Beale with figures of 6-0-2-21.

Arundel Grasshopper’s reply started briskly until Russell trapped Connolly LBW and Tom Cole bowled Glenn with the score 29-3. Beale and Brown took the score to 69 and thereafter their wickets fell to some good catches and at the same time Arundel Grasshoppers crept ever closer towards Lavant’s total. With four overs remaining, Arundel Grasshoppers were nine wickets down, 12 runs needed for victory, and Linton skied a catch to extra cover. Two Lavant fielders, in their haste to win the match, collided and the catch was dropped. All was not lost as with two overs to go Linton hit another catch into the covers and Lavant won the match by ten runs. Cole returned figures of 11-1-3-20 with two catches in the covers, Burford’s figures were 10-2-3-20 and Russell 10-1-2-15

Lavant vs Parham Park 19th August

This was Lavant’s second away game of the year and was eagerly anticipated. Parham Park won the toss, elected to bat in the drizzle and lost their first wicket to the first ball of the match. The weather cleared away and soon the game was being played in bright sunshine. Alex Burford and Ian Rawnsley restricted Parham Park’s scoring and they were soon 48 for 5. This brought Owen Simpkins and Ben Barnard to the crease and they took the game away from Lavant adding 63 for the 5th wicket until skipper Steve Brooker took a fine running catch to dismiss Simpkins. Parham Park’s tail wagged enabling them to declare on 156 for 9 at tea. Burford returned the best bowling figures of 12-4-4-47 and took two fine catches in the field.

This was always going to be a challenging total for Lavant to chase down on Parham Park’s strip. Lavant put on 31 for the first wicket and then their innings fell apart, nine wickets falling for 30 runs. Only two of Lavant’s batsmen, Hugh Hudson and Jonnie Sullivan reached double figures with the slow left arm around the wicket bowling of Chris Moody causing all the damage with figures of 6-1-5-9. Williams and Mitchell shared another two wickets apiece and Lavant were finally all out, following a suicidal run, for 61 giving Parham Park a win by 96 runs with more than 14 overs to spare.

Lavant vs Lynchmere 11th August

Skipper Steve Brooker had faith in his bowling attack and had no hesitation in asking Lynchmere to bat on a green tinged pitch after all the rain when he won the toss. He was rewarded when Ian Rawnsley bowled Tom Cain with the third ball of Lynchmere’s innings. Chris Summers joined Hill at the crease and he started the recovery of Lynchmere’s innings by hitting two huge sixes and several boundaries. In an inspired piece of field placement from Brooker who pushed Alex Burford to deep backward square, Summers duly obliged by hitting the next ball from Andy Nicholls straight into the hands of Burford. This wicket started the collapse of Lynchmere’s innings and a total of six of Lynchmere’s batsmen lost their wickets without troubling the scorers. Only Simon Cain and substitute Richard Wignall put up some resistance, Cain scoring 15 before he looped a catch up to Brooker at first slip. Lynchmere were all out for 71 with twenty minutes to spare before tea. Nicholls returned figures of 9-6-3-9, Phil Allen 8-5-2-12 and Burford 9-4-2-21.

Visiting batsmen Stuart Rawnsley opened Lavant’s reply with Graham Dale and they put on 21 for the first wicket before Rawnsley was smartly caught one handed by Wignall diving away to his right in the gully. Lynchmere’s opening bowlers of Cain and Varnes restricted the scoring rate of Lavant’s batsmen who slowly added runs to their total. Lavant won the match by seven wickets with more than 15 overs of the match remaining with Dale carrying his bat for 37 after holding Lavant’s innings together.

Lavant vs DACD 5th August

Michael Wyatt tore through the Lavant batting, the first wicket falling on the third ball of Lavant’s innings. Wyatt gave nothing away in a fine spell of bowling returning figures of 8-2-5-21, which should have been six wickets if a catch had been held at deep mid on. Lavant were reeling at 36 for 7 until Alex Wilson started calmly adding some runs supported by the returning Phil Allen. Lavant’s total would have been even lower if Wilson had been caught at deep mid wicket early in his innings but somehow Lavant scrapped through and were all out for 104 with half an hour spare before the tea interval. An early tea was taken and DACD started their reply which was never in doubt as Hughes and Tim Barton added 57 for the first wicket. There was a flurry of excitement for Lavant as Barton was the second wicket to fall on 49 followed by three quick wickets all bowled by Jonnie Sullivan and suddenly DACD were 84 for 5. DACD cantered past Lavant’s total without further loss to easily win the match by 5 wickets

Lavant vs Boxgrove 28th July

It was a blustery afternoon and despite winning the toss Lavant’s skipper, Steve Brooker, invited Boxgrove to bat first. James Thorpe and Ben Gottesman added 97 for the first wicket, striking the ball hard to all parts of the ground as it raced away on the parched grass. Brooker broke the partnership quickly followed by Ian Rawnsley trapping Thorpe LBW for 45. Nick Wakefield and Foster added another 70 runs. Mark Sullivan steadied the flow of runs taking 3 for 42 but Boxgrove were able to declare on 222 for 6 at tea.

Lavant’s batsmen found it had to score against the accurate Boxgrove bowling. Rawnsley was the first wicket to fall with the score on 29 followed by a flurry of wickets until Peter Burford steadied the innings with an unbeaten 30 and the match ended in a draw with Lavant on 114 for 6.

Lavant vs IBM (South Hants) 15th July

So many of Lavant’s games this season have been cancelled that it was a real pleasure to play on a glorious summer afternoon. Lavant won the toss and decided to bat, this being a better option than fielding in the heat. Ian Rawnsley and Graham Dale continued their fine form adding 73 for the first wicket before Dale was bowled for 31 playing all round a slower delivery from Williams. Rawnsley was joined by Tom Cole and together they took the score to 148 for the second wicket before Cole was caught in the covers just four short of his half century. Rawnsley continued with able support from Peter Burford, 30 not out, which enabled skipper Steve Brooker to declare at 225 for 3 at tea. Ian Rawnsley carried his bat for an unbeaten 91, a tremendous performance on the hot afternoon.

IBM’s reply started slowly with Vikran being smartly caught in the gully by Brooker with the score on 15 from the bowling of Alex Burford. Hicks didn’t last long before he was caught at mid on by Dale again bowled by Alex Burford. Two run outs and three ducks later and IBM were struggling to cope with the spin bowling of Mark Sullivan and pace of Tom Cole and a good slip catch by Alex Burford. The skipper came on to bowl and cleared up the tail of the IBM innings giving Lavant their second win of the season by 114 runs and five overs to spare. This was a good performance from Lavant, all the catches were held, the fielders supported their bowlers and Ian Rawnsley’s match winning innings was the highlight of the afternoon.

Lavant vs East Meon 17th June

On a grey and breezy afternoon, East Meon won the toss and elected to field.

The hosts lost Steve Sands early, but Ian Rawnsley (30), Danny Berkley (29), Steve Brooker (33) & Peter Berkley (28) all made useful contributions. Dave Carroll’s belligerent half-century underpinned the respectable total of 202 for 9. Opening bowler, Clay, returned best figures of 3-66 for the visitors.

Following unwelcome rain at tea, conditions deteriorated for the reply. That didn’t seem to deter East Meon, despite a slight stutter at 36 for 2 (Alex Burford & Ian Rawnsley with a scalp apiece). Atkinson (88 not out) & Gillespie (68 not out) motored onwards towards victory with an emphatic 150-plus stand. All the Lavant bowlers toiled away manfully, but with little reward – Wilson particularly impressive after 8 years without turning his arm over.

All in all, a comprehensive 8 wicket win for the visitors.

Lavant vs Old Barn 2nd June

Old Barn asked Lavant to bat first on a glorious June afternoon. Ian Rawnsley and Graham Dale continued their opening partnership adding 49 for the first wicket. This brought debutant Tom Cole to the crease who added a brisk 28 runs before being stumped. Skipper Steve Brooker and Dave Burford added more quick runs with Burford scoring another half century not out continuing his fine from from last week. Lee Russell, another debutant this week, Peter Hudson and Steve Sands all chipped in with valuable runs to allow the skipper to declare at 201 for 7 at tea. Glanville with 3 for 51 and Rosser with very economical figures of 8-1-1-13 were the pick of the Old Barn Bowlers. Fortified by tea, Old Barn set about chasing down Lavant’s total with Rosser hitting the ball very hard to all parts of the ground for a quick half century until he was caught on the mid wicket boundary by Burford. Ragless and Ridout added another 30 runs but once they were out the Old Barn batting collapsed with Hudson returning figures of 7.2-0-4-18 and Lavant won their first game of the season by 80 runs with six overs to spare.

Lavant vs Boxgrove, 26th May

This was the first warm and sunny afternoon’s cricket for Lavant this season and skipper Steve Brooker had no hesitation in deciding to bat first. Ian Rawnsley continued his form from last week and put on 40 for the first wicket. Lavant quickly lost four more wickets for 14 runs which brought the brothers Dave and Peter Burford together at the crease. This pair took the total to 151 and with additional runs from Robin Burford allowed Lavant to declare at 182 for 8 at tea. The pick of the Boxgrove bowlers were Gottesman with 3 for 24 and Wakefield with 3 for 31. Boxgrove’s reply started briskly with Thorpe and Gottesman striking the ball hard all around the ground. Gottesman was caught at point by Peter Buford and Thorpe to a fine running catch by Dave Carroll at deep mid wicket. Wakefield and Holl added over 30 runs each and Boxgrove eased past the Lavant total to win by 5 wickets with two overs to spare. Dave Burford completed an outstanding match scoring 52 not out in Lavant’s innings and then taking 4 for 69. The return derby match is eagerly anticipated at the end of July.

Lavant vs Tillington, 20th May

Royal wedding weekend. Glorious day. Delightful setting. Competitive contest.

Steve Brooker’s decision to bat first looked justified as Lavant openers McLean & Rawnsley put on 140 for the first wicket. The latter was certainly the supporting partner when first to fall, caught behind for 34. McLean went on to complete a fantastic century before being dismissed for 103 soon after. The skipper then weighed in with a classy 27 to propel the visitors to 199 for 5 from their allotted 35 overs. Hannam and Thistleton each took 2 wickets for the home side.

Tillington lost Hannam early in their reply – caught & bowled by Nicholls – but that only brought Groves and Westmore together. Gradually at first, then more forcefully, they ate into the required target. Their match-winning partnership was the epitome of a well-structured run chase, balancing careful shot selection with some hefty blows. Brooker removed Groves for 79 late on, but Westmore plundered the victory runs with a towering six back over the bowler’s head to finish on 86 not out. The hosts prevailed for the loss of just two wickets and with two overs to spare.

Lavant vs Westbourne, 22nd April

Lavant’s groundsmen had worked very hard to prepare a pitch for the opening game of the season. However, all the winter rain meant the pitch was very soft and spongy and the outfield grass couldn’t be cut as short as it should be for a cricket ground. Both sides found batting very hard in these conditions, the ball was digging into the pitch and not coming onto the bat which made scoring runs very difficult. Westbourne won the toss and invited Lavant to bat first. Only Ian Rawnsley reached double figures with eleven runs. Extras top scored for Lavant, accumulating 29 runs until Lavant were all out for 71 with twenty minutes to spare before tea. An early tea was taken and Westbourne started their reply. They struggled, losing their first three wickets without scoring. Lavant’s hopes were high for a dramatic defence of their 71 run total, however, Bentley hit a quick 32 and despite other wickets falling around him, he took Westbourne to the brink of victory before he was bowled by Lavant’s new captain, Steve Brooker. Westbourne completed their victory, winning by one wicket.

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