Tamar League Ordulph v St Stephens ON a ?belter? of a day, and on a ?belter? of a wicket, Ordulph knew that they had to get a 200 plus score having been put in to bat by St Stephens. Starting brightly Ordulph were pushing the runs along nicely for a few overs mainly driven by some positive stroke play from Wellard. Suddenly in the space of five overs Watson?s nagging line and length paid dividends with the removal of three Ordulph wickets including Wellard. Mansfield who was looking assured was unfortunate to be given out being bowled by a ?no ball?. From this point the St Stephens bowlers were doing exactly what the wicket demanded which was to pitch the ball up on a good line. Consolidation was required by the Ordulph batting which came in the shape of Sutton and Evans. Between them they put on an excellent partnership of 70 during the next 15 overs which gave the Ordulph a nice platform to build on. All good things come to an end though as Sleep and Stokes removed Evans (35) and Sutton (33) in the space of a couple of overs. Bridgewater was next to fall cheaply and suddenly a 200 score looked ?pie in the sky?. A valiant ?quick fire? effort from Poppe (36) supported well by Baskerville looked like pushing the score somewhere near to the target but with the removal of Poppe by Sleep any chance evaporated. Finishing up on 188 all out the Ordulph knew they were probably going to be 20 or 30 light of what was required. Knowing that pitched up accurate bowling was required to restrict St Stephens, the early Ordulph attack proceeded to serve up a diet of short pitched or full toss deliveries that Watson and Court despatched with impunity. The St Stephens score was fairly racing along with 76 being plundered in the first 10 overs with only the wicket of Court (29) to Poppe to show for the Ordulph bowlers? efforts. A bowling change brought Folley on. During this spell Folley took the vital wickets of Watson (48) aided by a sharp take from keeper Baskerville, and Sleep (29). A further three wickets to Folley including the danger man Gregg Sleep (18) and one to Bridgewater now joining the attack kept the Ordulph hopes alive of still saving the game. It was a steep hill to climb though as the damage done in the first 10 overs by Watson and Court proved to be critical. Kent (25 not out) held his ground and saw St Stephens home with three overs to spare. Folley finished up with impressive figures of 5 for 39 off 12, and was supported well with two nicely taken catches from Coad. St Stephens 1st XI won by three wickets. This week Ordulph travel to high riding Lewdown.
