Emeriti CC

August rolled around quicker than ever this season with no games being called off so far! 3 games at the castle in August began with our first meeting with Emeriti. Martlets won the toss and chose to bat and lost Carter early for 9 before Worthing’s overseas player Rohan Ryan and Tom Haynes steadied the ship putting on 37 before Haynes was out caught for 45. Freddie Ferro came to the crease and continued to bat steadily as Martlets moved to 162 before Martlets lost their third wicket (Ryan for 56). Special mention to Tom Fleming from Emeriti bowling unchanged seam for 18 overs from one end, a magnificent effort. Shaw unusually, came and went cheaply before Arran Arris brought some aggression to the end of the innings scoring 24 off just 27 balls. When Ferro was dismissed for 84, this brought about the declaration, as Rebbetts would never declare when someone is within reach of their first Castle century. However, that wasn’t to be, so Martlets ended on 234/6 declared off 52 overs.

Rebbetts and Harry Walker opened the bowling and it was Rebbetts that took the early wickets finding the edge of Unsworth’s (13) bat before catching Down on the crease to get him LBW for 28. Leaving Emeriti 50/2 at the tea break. The game was firmly in the balance. Ever present Whelpton started after the break to try and tie down the middle order while Frean’s leg spin attacked from the other end. Frean got a classic leg spinner’s wicket with a drag down caught on the square leg boundary to get the dangerous Ansell out who was motoring on 19 off 15 balls. Whelpton got one to spin back through the gate to get Crossley for just 4 as Martlets tightened the screw to reduce Emeriti to 97-4. However, Emeriti bounced back with a 75 run partnership between French (63) and Fleming (42) to move within 60 runs of victory, but with around 8 overs left, it was a tough task, but with wickets in hand it certainly was possible. Rebbetts came back on accompanied by Shaw (off a short run) to try and take the remaining 6 wickets. Rebbetts got 2 wickets with slower balls and Shaw deservedly got one after many plays and misses to reduce Emeriti from 171-4 to 197-7, but couldn’t get the last 3 as Emeriti finished 205-7 from 45 overs. Rebbetts ending with 4-45 was our pick of the bowlers.  An excellent game played in perfect spirit was a great way to start our Arundel August. Juniors up next!