By Ludo Milne
Scorers - Peter Harding & Les
Umpire - Jim Gee
On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, a youthful group of cricketers gathered to test themselves against second division Burgess Hill CC at the Rec. Last week’s thrashing of Findon resulted in a largely unchanged side, with young Benji Jackson deservedly making his debut. He replaced skipper Howgate who, sporting a particularly dodgy shirt, had to attend his sister’s 40th! Chilt were professional in the warmup - and a competitive game of football ensued. Despite warnings from senior coach Matt Machan not to tackle each other for fear of injury - I (Ludo Milne) decided that this advice did not apply to me and subsequently flew ‘studs up’ into a challenge, resulting in a completely moronic ankle injury.
Chilt batted first, with Tear and Gillespie opening once again, putting on 30 off 9 overs before Hugo was bowled for 6. Josh Taylor then came and went quickly, spooning a full toss to short midwicket, leaving Chilt in a slightly precarious 41-2. Last week’s centurion Reuben came to the crease, and along with Charlie proceeded to calmly dismantle Burgess Hill’s bowling attack. Both players dropped some enormous bombs as well as playing some more cultured strokes, putting on 143 between them in just 21 overs. As with last week at Findon, the middle order of Lucking , Milne and Davies were left awkwardly waiting in whites wondering if they would ever actually bat this season. This was not a problem however, as the time was filled debating whether chains are acceptable on a cricketer not named ‘Jofra’ (they aren’t) and fining Toby and Lyle, who thought that it would be acceptable to disappear for 30 mins to go and chat to the girls on the other side of the boundary (it wasn’t). However, Rueben was dismissed for 85 unselfishly trying push the scoring rate up further, although some still believe it was jug avoidance! Lucking did a ‘Josh Taylor’ and spooned another full toss to midwicket, and Charlie was harshly run out on 99 pushing hard for the ‘ton’. This left the debutant Benji to ‘nurdle’ the ball around before Matt Machan deposited a couple into the bushes at the end. West Chiltington 252-8 off 40.
Economical, restrictive spin bowling was the theme of the Burgess Hill innings. Lyle started the innings brightly, testing the outside edge on multiple occasions, and was unlucky not to pick up a wicket early on. However, with the run rate over 6 from the beginning, it was the accurate legspin of Charlie Davies that piled the pressure on the opening batsman. This pressure lead to the first wicket of the innings. Calamitous running from the openers combined with a good throw from Josh Taylor left the visitors 8/1 off 4. Burgess Hill began to rebuild with a steady partnership that threatened at times to accelerate, until the dangerous Waj Shah slapped a full toss straight to Josh Taylor at long-on off Ben Lucking. From then on - victory seemed likely for West Chilt, with the overseas pro coming and offering suspect batting advice to his far more expansive and effective batting partner. Middle-order wickets fell at regular intervals for Lucko and the effective Reuben Taylor. This did not seem to phase the overseas pro, who continued to block the cover off the ball as the run rate climbed to over 10 per over. Eventually he was dismissed, and despite some agricultural lower order hitting, Burgess Hill were bowled out for 160 in 39 overs. Particular praise should go to the bowling group, who restricted the runs effectively, which in turn built pressure and took wickets.
Overall, a very good day out for the Windmills, as they continued to play with intensity and application with both bat and ball. Next week, we welcome Premiership side Brighton and Hove to the Rec, in the toughest test so far of this new look, new attitude side.
MOTM: Charlie Tear for his 99 runs and tidy keeping
DOTD: Ludo Milne for rolling his ankle in the football warmup despite being told not to tackle people.