The Saturday 1st XI went into their opening Fullers Division Two league fixture brimming with confidence. With a strong side, team morale was at an all time high. Things were going well when skipper Ian Antonio won the toss and put Wandgas C.C. into bat on a day where heavy rain clouds were ever present, not to mention the heavy down pour. Despite this and a 30 minute rain delay, both teams persisted. Wandgas battled on, on what has to be said a decent batting track and the Ditton opening pair of Henderson and Desai found it hard to make an opening. The Ditton bowlers worked relentlessly and restricted Wandgas to 208 for 5 off 47 overs declared with Roux Joubert making 87. No real stand out performers with the ball for Ditton, although Adam Hunt bowled very well at the end.
The opening pair of Turnbull and Downey set about there mammoth task to get 209 in 43 overs, all this plus the prospect of batting the entire innings in the dark. The opener’s toiled on and Downey was soon out to an excited Bouwer for 9. Bowled! 2009 skipper Grateh Plunkett entered the crease and Turnbull and Plunkett set about trying to knock the runs down and secure an opening day league win. Plunkett soon fell bowled for 27 off Uthi’s accurate bowling. The Ditton fan’s were getting worried, Ian Antonio (42) had other plans and he and Turnbull smashed the Wandgas bowling attack to pieces. Talk about a Nasser Hussain inspired captain’s innings or what. Disaster soon struck as Umpire Ian Foulds gave 3 LBW decisions in as many overs to leave Ditton worrying at 190 for 5. Turnbull had past 100 and was dreaming of a hero finish. It wasn’t to be a nailbiter as Turnbull made easy work of the few remaining runs in the pitch black at 8.30. Tied for the lead, Bennett struck the winning runs, a fierce cut for four to get the points in the bag. Huge result for the LDCC 1st XI.
Captain Ian Antonio said: “It was a graft out there, to bowl on a hard deck despite the overcast conditions and rain. The boy’s have played superbly here. Turnbull was simply sensational, I haven’t seen a better innings than that since Nasser Hussain led England to a test win in the dark in Pakistan. It was that good. It was so dark out there, but at the end of the day, it was the same for both sides and we’re delighted to of secured the maximum points”
Centurion Nick Turnbull said after the game: “All the critics were after me today. After scoring 18 runs in my last 3 inning’s, I had even started to doubt myself but earlier in the week I took a long hard bike ride with my keen cyclist father Andrew round Bedfont Lakes and he made me believe I still had it in me to be the best. Let’s be honest; I am the best here and today with a score of 116*, I have definitely proved that. Thanks”
The Saturday 2nd XI’s fortune’s were not as good as they lost to Wandgas 2nd’s.
The Sunday 1st XI played a strong Byfleet side with a weakened side and performed superbly losing by 11 runs. Byfleet scored 252 off there 45 overs with Tarn Huxford being the pick of the LDCC bowlers with 4 for 27 off 8. Ditton chased well, but maybe leaking too many runs in the field. Again, Nick Turnbull lead the batting with a quickfire 75 off 90 balls and with Kiwi sensation Henderson making 33 not out to bring Ditton so very close. Huxford (31), Hall (30) and Bennett (20) also provided some support with the bat.
Until next weekend where both Saturday sides are entertaining Hampton Hill 1st & 2nd XI. The 1s being at home, the 2s away.