We are top of the league!!

Addiscombe CC v Purley CC
25th May 2019
Sandilands

Purley CC – 203-8 (50 Overs)
Addiscombe CC – 204-7 (46.1 Overs)
Addiscombe CC won by 3 wickets
Highlights – Dan Lineker 54

This weekend saw local rivals Purley make the short journey to Sandilands. Addiscombe were looking to make it 3 wins from 3, something that hasn’t happened since the chairman was a teenager. Whilst Purley looking for their first win of the season. It was set to be a cracker.

The captain won the toss and elected to field. A good decision in muggy conditions.
Addiscombe opened up with James Ramsey and the returning Charlie ‘cheese string hamstring’ Foden. They both kept it tight whilst the fielders did their job in welcoming the Purley batsmen to IntenseCity. The breakthrough came from Charlie when he was just to quick for the opener nicking off to stand in keeper David Roche. 38-1.
Saving Mr Foden’s hamstrings the captain brought himself on from the Lloyds park end and again he linked up with the wall David Roche to remove the other opener. 59-2
Next on from the Pavilion end was Antony Starnes. Could he repeat his bowling performance from the previous week? No is the answer to that question. Replaced by Charlie Armstrong.
Charlie bowled very well again but just could not find that wicket that Addiscombe needed to break a partnership that was beginning to develop for Purley.
The captain brought himself off and on came the old guard Barry Lineker who broke the partnership removing the number 3 batsman. Purley were now on 114-3. Antony Starnes was glad to see the back this batsman after he peppered him in the field.
The captain then brought himself on again from Pavilion end this time and it worked as he bowled the number 4. 120-4.
After this wicket a meeting took place and it was agreed that the effort in the field needed to go up and on cue did this happen. With Barry, the captain and Dan Lineker bowling the Purley batsmen saw the overs dissolve in front of their eyes as Addiscombe bowled the next 12 overs in just 20 minutes. After this spell of intense fielding and bowling Purley found themselves on 138-7 after Barry Lineker picked up a further 2 and Dan picked himself up 1.
The time was now 2:20pm and David Roche began to panic as he promised us a 1hr free bar if we were finished before 5pm.
His nerves were not helped when Ramsey replaced Dan and got the wicket of the number 8 batsmen. It could have and should have been all over then and there but some terrible catching from Dan Lineker and Antony Starnes saw two chances go down. In his defence Antony Starnes could no longer run after running from cover to mid-wicket for 12 overs.
The number 7 and number 10 frustrated Addiscombe and saw them help Purley set 203 for Addiscombe to chase down.
Wicket taking bowlers figures were James Ramsey 1-41 off 8, Charlie Foden 1-41 off 10, Chris Hurrion 2-26 off 10, Barry Lineker 3-16 off 10 and Dan Lineker 1-20 off 3.
Another great bowling and fielding performance from Addiscombe.
Teas were highly anticipated as they are always at home. Sandwiches, Pizza, Chicken, Sausages, Cakes and Fruit. To the shock of hungry Addiscombe players there was no pizza. 6.5/10

After doing the job with the ball it was now the turn of the batsmen to do theirs and win the game for Addiscombe.
Opening up this week were the captain and Dan Lineker. The change in the line up seemed to work well and Addiscombe had their highest opening partnership of the season. Which was not hard when the highest this season was 3.
The captain then played a loose shot and was out caught. 41-1.
Next in was John Fogarty. The moment everyone had been waiting for. Was he going to get his first runs of the season or the dreaded 3 ducks in a row. First ball up and he get an absolute peach cutting back and hitting him in the box. Not what you want when you are already so nervous. However, next ball and he has done it! With rapturous applause from the crowd he got his first run!
Dan Lineker then passed his 50 before trying to take a single to the keeper who was standing up. Run out for 54 and Addiscombe now on 82-2.
John Fogarty probably wished he took the run now as he was out shortly after caught behind. The score was now 82-3.
The two new batsmen to the crease were Adi Dhond and Barry Lineker. Addiscombe needed these two to develop a partnership to see us home. Barry out for 2. 86-4.
Next in the not so young birthday boy David Roche. He and Adi Dhond put on 73 before David Roche avoided the jug by being caught for 46. The score was now 177-6 and Addiscombe were on the final push towards the total.
James Ramsey came to the crease and was settling in with Adi Dhond before Adi himself was caught out on 33 leaving the score 177-7.
This brought Antony Starnes to the crease and he had the dream of winning the game for the second time this season. However, smashing the spinner down the throat of the cow fielder he was out for 3. The score was now 192-7.
It was the next man in, Charlie Armstrong, and James Ramsey who saw us home. Ramsey smashing the opener over point for 4 to take us to the winning total of 204.
James Ramsey finishing on 33 not out.

A great run chase from Addiscombe sees the A’s make it 3 wins from 3. A superb start to the season for the 1st XI and if we can keep up the team performance like this then we can cause every team in this league problems. Next up for the 1st XI is a short trip to Streatham and Marlborough where recent games have been very tight and won on the smallest margins. Should be an exciting game once again.