Datchet II v Amersham CC Saturday 2nd X1 on Sat 16 Jul 2005 at
Match was Drawn
Amersham II played out a draw on a fine summer's day away at Datchet, but the match had a month's worth of highlights.
Amersham opted to bat first, and started well with Nick Piper (36) and Jack Kilgannon (36) setting the tempo. But Stapelburg (4-56) made good use of his short-pitched ball, and at 145-6 Amersham were in danger of registering another below-par total. But then 15-year-old Olly Haddock (150*) played one of the finest innings by an Amersham player in modern times. His pulls and drives were inch perfect - reaching his hundred with a straight six, and he shared an unbroken 7th wicket partnership of 149 with Glen Saffery (49*), before the declaration came in the 51st over.
With runs on the board Amersham were able to attack, and another good opening spell from Brad Holt (2-64) put Amersham in command. But Datchet fought back, with crisp hitting from Smith (86) and the middle order keeping them in the hunt, and they might well have won but for two amazing catches in the deep from Haddock and Kilgannon. David Sidebottom (5-98) bowled another impressive long spell, but despite both teams going all out for the win, Datchet finished 30 runs short of the target with 2 wickets in hand.
* champagne moment - Jack Kilgannon, a diving catch taken just above the ground on the leg-side boundary to dismiss Smith.
Tim Aylott
Amersham CC Saturday 2nd X1 Batting
294 for 6
Datchet II Bowling
Datchet II Batting
266 for 8
Amersham CC Saturday 2nd X1 Bowling