Uphill Castle Thunder Vs Claverham CC at The Castle Ground – Friday 22nd July
The hours leading up to the game had been damp, creating an ideal wicket to have a bowl. Castle Thunder won the toss, electing to field in the 1st Innings with C. Huke opening the bowling alongside C. Beal from the Charlie Moon End, followed by the bowling attack of G. King and T. Robinson at the Bridgewater Road End.
Castle Thunder limited the run rate throughout the first half of the innings, allowing the first wicket of the game to be taken off the bowling of G. King following a catch by H. Frake, putting Claverham at a score of 30-1 after 35 deliveries. The run rate continued to increase at a steady rate of around one run per ball all the way up to the next wicket, once again off the bowling of G. King after a catch by C. Beal at Long-On with Claverham at a score of 72-2 after 70 deliveries.
This run rate of just over one run a ball continued all the way to the end of the innings with Claverham finishing on a score of 108 for 2. Overall, a great bowling attack from Castle Thunder limiting the run rate as well as impressive fielding only allowing 10 boundaries throughout the whole innings.
With the target score set to win the game, Castle Thunder proceeded out to the crease to chase down the Claverham score with the opening partnership of T. Robinson and H. Frake.
Castle Thunder lost their first wicket of the innings after 55 balls, with H. Frake being caught after hitting 18 and leaving the field after putting Castle Thunder in a good position of 59-1. T. Robinson was then retired after hitting 41 off just 29 deliveries with a strike rate of 141.
G. King was then run out after a miss call between the two batsmen, and he was quickly replaced by C. Huke with Castle Thunder at a score of 68-2 after 61 deliveries. The chase was then increased by the in form batting of C. Huke, who added a quick 39 runs from just 16 deliveries at a very impressive strike rate of 243. After this strong batting performance, Castle Thunder secured the win after just 80 deliveries.
Following this win, Castle Thunder have also secured their place within the Somerset Smash Finals Day for 2022, a great achievement for both the team and the club as a whole…
Uphill finish off the group stage of the Tournament with their game against town rivals, Weston Cricket Club, on Friday 29th August. Uphill Castle currently sit 2nd in the table, however if they beat Weston, they will top the group, finishing in a coveted first place…
By Charlie Beal
