Archived Match Report

First XI vs. Redditch - 08 Jun - One sided today but still some quality on display.

Well this one was never in doubt. With the wicket and outfield looking perfect it was clearly going to be a batting track, so when when The Redditch skipper won the toss and put the Frome in to bat the dye was cast.
Openers Alec Backhouse and Mark Godsall had to contend with the Crusader ball that does have a tendency to swing around early doors and both succumbed fairly early. .. And then James Fortnam arrived. 2 exquisite fours off his opening two deliveries were enough to show the opposition they were going to be up against it. A series of reverse sweeps , drives and an occasional slog sweep peppered the opposition . Andy Rogers was not in much mood for running singles or pairs, holing out on 49 of which 40 came from boundaries . Fortz had taken the game away from the opposition when he finished up on 118. In the meantime Nicko Evans had come to the crease and carried on in the same vein. He was piling on the runs for fun ending on 79 with some massive hits . Hopey also contributed a quick fire 39 taking the Frome total to 325 before skipper Lloydy declared with 40 overs down.
A splendid tea that Lloydy was trying to pass off as his own but we all know it was Jess who was responsible...many thanks....and so to the afternoon session. Credit to Redditch for coming out and playing their shots, but they were never able to get close to the necessary rate and after a strong start they began to lose wickets a regular intervals . Good work from Adam Hope behind the stumps with quality bowling from Nicko and Andy Rogers. Skipper lloydy put in a very strong spell and came close to taking a hat trick with badge clutching defeat from the jaws of success failing to hang onto a half chance at short leg ish . lets not mention that again. Thanks for coming badge.
A creditable batting performance from H. Basharat who ended on 76 presented some concerns for the Frome who had to resort to proper cricket to close out the game. Great performance from Nicko who worked up a lot of sweat for his two well deserved and important wickets . So an easy win in the end with redditch ending on a decent score of 193 off 38 overs. Definitely played with good spirit and respect to the younger Redditch players.
So lets have a straw poll. Hopton or Trumpet ? This author would say the quality of the beer in the Hopton might just tip the balance..