After an absence of over 10 years, Calmore Sports rejoined the South Hampshire Indoor Cricket League at Fleming Park for the 2021-22 winter and made their return with a record-shattering 73-run victory over Old Tauntonians and Romsey ‘B’.
Half-centuries from Matt Taylor and skipper James Rose led the way as the Calmore side, batting first as per league regulations, amassed a mammoth 210-4 in their 12 overs and then a solid bowling display removed their opponents for 137.
Things didn’t start particularly well for Calmore as they found themselves 19-2 when Ryan Lomax was run out for 8 and Jack Austin sensationally caught and bowled by Jody Brown first ball as the second over edged to its conclusion.
The ship was righted by Taylor, who was first to retire at 25 from just 11 balls and then his captain Rose followed with 30 from 14 deliveries as they blitzed the score to 94-2 at the midway point.
That momentum was maintained by Mitch Parker and Dom Ducellier, both of who made their way to 25-run retirements – Mitch achieving his in eight balls and Dom just seven!
Taylor and Rose returned to the crease and continued the one-way traffic. Rose brought up his 50 off 21 balls before he was caught trying one hit too many and Taylor was run out from the final ball for a brilliant 61 off 24 balls – an innings that included a 10-run delivery as Patel’s no-ball (three run penalty) saw seven runs taken from two runs and three overthrows.
With the scoreboard unable to pass 199, the record books were torn up as Calmore closed their innings – scoring 116 from the last six overs with a mix of big hitting to the back wall and superbly run ‘singles’ but were also boosted by 39 extras.
Chasing 17.58 per over from the off, OT&R got off to a good start as father and son Andy and Matt Dickinson added 65 for the first wicket. That was until both were run out by Taylor and the unlucky Bhavya Patel couldn’t beat Ducellier laser like throw and he went for 0 (to add to his two overs for 54).
Experienced skipper Jody Brown and Andy Roberts tried hard to pull things around but the rate was already climbing to 30 plus and their resistence was broken by a fine catch from Taylor off Mitch Parker, Roberts’ short when Parker’s throw came in and Brown being bowled as he attempted to swing hard to the back wall, seeing them bowled out three balls early 73-run shy of their target.
Played one, won one and a full 26-point haul bagged – a very good start to life back in the much larger Fleming Park arena than it used to be.
Our next fixture is on 12th December when we tackle Wellow and Plaitford looking to continue today’s sensational start.
Calmore Sports v OT&R ‘B’ – SHICL Division 3 match scorecard (21 November 2021)
