Doughty turns game with 6-16 (From Malvern Gazette)

Doughty turns game with 6-16

5:34pm Wednesday 15th August 2007 in Cricket

ROSS ON WYE v BARNARDS GREEN III

WITH sunshine in abundance, a hard, bouncy wicket and a quick outfield, it was a little surprising that Ross on Wye asked Barnards Green thirds to take first knock.

However, openers Chris Hill and Jud Doughty were tested in full as Kyle and Barrington charged in to test them.

Hill duly dispatched anything overpitched whilst Doughty was intent on seeing off the new ball. With 44 runs on the board off 12 overs, Doughty finally succumbed lbw to Barrington for nought.

Stand-in skipper Steve Beavan joined Hill, but after an elegant 12 he too departed bringing the ageless Dick Brown to the crease. Quick singles between Hill and Brown were banished and Hill was then undone by a slow long hop, being adjudged lbw for an impressive 38.

Cyril Dean scored a sprightly eight before playing all around a straight one, but he was replaced by 16-year-old Harry Pleass, who played the innings of the game with a delightful 44 full of flowing cover drives.

Brown kept his end up which was useful at his age but when he departed for a useful 47, Robin Longmore joined the action and bludgeoned a quickfire 17 before departing to the impressive Barnard who picked up 4-65. Dave White and Clive Churchill then saw the Green to a very respectable 280 before tea was taken.

Ross set about tackling their target and with relish despite some excellent bowling from Hill and Churchill, Ross took their score to 133 without loss off 27 overs and looked well in command thanks to Warwick and Barrington.

Enter the new bowlers in the form of Jud Doughty and skipper Steve Beavon, both of whom took wickets in their first overs. After the openers had departed, only Howls with 44 offered any resistance as the innings collapsed and Doughty (6-16 off 10) and Beavan (2-41 off 6) caused mayhem.

Churchill returned to take two wickets and Ross capitulated to 204 all out to give the Green 24 points.

Without doubt, the highlights of the game were the batting and fielding of young Harry Pleass and a masterly display of wicketkeeping from Graeme Glendinning.

Thanks go to sponsors The Red Lion at Powick and David Whyman Map Sales for their continued generous support.