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Quantock Stags beat Doctors by 19 runs The Doctors’ season finally began, at the third time of
asking, or some would say, third time lucky. For this we were indebted to Rob
Hake who prepares Taunton Vale’s wickets and let us use a brand new and most
excellent track when all other venues had turned us down. John Ogle,
standing in for Sam Powell who was detained somewhere on the Levels, lost the
toss, and James Dickens, for Stags, elected to bat. Despite
some exacting bowling from Will King and Charles Macadam, their opening
batsmen were soon driving lustily at anything within range with their classy
Will Dickens soon retiring on 30. King then accounted for the dangerous Rob Hake with a beauty
that moved away, taking out his off stump; and from a strong position Stags
momentum slowed as Will’s father Steve continued the family work-out, clean-bowling
the threatening James Dickens. Graham Fergusson wove his customary magic, while
Tom Adcock and Nick Eaton produced tight line and length, further pegging
them back. Fine fielding from everyone
with Adam Caswell outstanding and Jeremy Budd throwing back the years to dive
full-length in the slips, limited Stags to a final total of 107 from their 18
overs. Our openers
Keith Powell and Rob Adcock set about their task, but both fell before they
could make much progress. Graham Ferguson made 13 before holing out, and Adam
Caswell was well bowled trying to accelerate. John Ogle came and went with an
underpowered stroke of defiance lofted straight to deep mid-on while Chris
Cullum, after a few characteristic blows, lost his stumps to a good one. As
the light faded the rest of the innings likewise, and Docs subsided to 88,
well short of the target. We had however enjoyed ourselves. |