Match Report v St. Philip Jr

After the excitement of arrival on the Island it was time for the 1st game of the tour. After a typically delayed Caribbean start we opted to bat on what was the first stinking hot day of the tour. On a extremely flat looking pitch we were optimistic of posting a good total. Sadly this did not come to fruition as the rust and cobwebs from the winter break came to the surface. After a very slow start openers Dias and Prakash lost their wickets for 1 and 2. Dias falling to an outstanding catch at 2nd slip. Oli Young and Freddie Thomas set about trying to rebuild the innings with some cautious but positive play whenever possible. After moving the score on to 25 Young fell to a loose shot. Sadly this was to prove the start of a collapse which would see only 2 players reach double figures in a disappointing total of 80. Goldsborough and Haigh fought hard at the end of the innings putting together a last wicket stand of 10, which was to prove vital in the outcome of the game. After a lengthy lunch break the RGS boys took the field knowing that early wickets and tight bowling were very much the order of the day. Young bowled with good pace and caused problems for the batsmen. However, it was Freeman who was to provide the early breakthrough. Bowling a full length and swinging the ball away it was not long before the 1st wicket arrived. The 1st was quickly followed by the 2nd and 3rd as Freeman took 3 wickets in his first 4 overs. With the opposition boat well and truly rocking skipper Dias turn to his spin options. Kreibich bowled with excellent control giving the batters no easy scoring opportunities. His 6 overs only conceded 12 runs and whilst he did not take a wicket the pressure would prove the catalyst for a huge collapse from the other end. Upon his introduction Harry Howarth took no time to settle in, removing his first of 5 victims in his 1st over. The pressure of accurate slow bowling from both ends proved just too frustrating for the batsmen as wickets began to fall like Mr Mutton's banter standards! Howarth continued to build pressure before taking a sensational hat-trick which sealed defeat for the opposition and a magnificent if unlikely victory for the boys! Man of the match Howarth ended with the superb figures of 5 for 9. Looking forward to the next game our clear aim will have to be an improvement with the bat!!!!!!!!

AGB