Chatsworth | Sussex Martlets

Match Report

When you frequent Arundel Castle, not much comes up to similar standards, but Martlets were greeted by some fantastic vistas for those who took the scenic route north of Derby, and then beautiful views of the House itself on the final approach.

The pitch was, shall we say, damp, being next to the river, and the quaint pavilion bore markings of the various flood levels stretching back years. This being the first game of the year, it was also liberally covered with the evidence of the Chatsworth sheep population, but the oppo, as they arrived, had a good drill to roll the wicket and clear the outfield.

Skipper Paul Walker had us field first, reckoning that the drying wind would do its work, and the bowlers sped in – Dan James again opening up with a very effective spell, six overs for 16, whilst Degsy bowled four for 9. Scoring runs was hard work but so was taking wickets – the first fell in the 16^th over, a smart stumping by Dave Mann (trying to keep up with Savage), Damien the bowler.

McGahan again bowled tidily without reward and Paul Lack took two wickets. One bowled and one “hit wicket”, unusually; canny work, Lackie. Skipper Walker bowled well, 1-19 off 5, while Dan Jackson improved his handicap with 1-22 off 3 overs (he will never live down those golf shoes of last year or was it two years ago?!). Mann equalled Savage’s record with a second stumping and his usual good-natured banter, it not being an Ashes year. Elsewhere in the field, Dan James covered kilometres as the ball consistently refused to cross the boundary, and everyone chipped in to try to minimise the runs.

Arran Aris displayed all-round skills with some sharp deliveries off a short run, and Chatsworth ended at 143-6 off their 35. Their opener Ed Buchan had retired at 51.

In contrast to Repton, bring your own tea was the drill, fortunately Mann’s passion wagon delivered up a smattering of victuals from breakfast provisions etc, which kept the Martlets mostly upright. Aris opened strongly again, before holing out for 34, and a bowler with the slightly sinister name of Stasi did for Boulter, Ritchie and Horsham, while Savage was smartly caught and bowled, leaving Martlets precariously perched at 68-5.

Never fear, Mann (45 n.o.) and the skipper (27 n.o.) put on 76 to take us to a comfortable victory in the event – a clear indication of the conditions being Mann’s two 4s and a solitary boundary for Walker. They batted very sensibly and professionally, against some tight bowling and smart field positioning, to take the Vets to a welcome win to balance the loss of the day before.

An excellent session in one of the local hostelries followed, where the teams mingled on very friendly terms, and thirsts were refreshed before most of the Martlets headed for the 5 or 6 hour haul back to Sussex, where they met the customary Bank Holiday rain at the Watford Gap. So closed another fantastic season opening tour, new friends made, and horizons explored – credit again to Degsy, Alan, Walks and others involved.