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Pacemakers lost to Doctors by 21 runs


Doctors                        160 for 2

 

Pacemakers                  139 for 6

 

 

  Doctors’ record of losing the toss was beginning to rival that of Nasser Hussain so it was with an air of pleased surprise that they were able to take first use of a soft but batsman-friendly Kings Hall pitch. After one over of quiet reconnaissance Graham Fergusson and David Gwynne Jones moved rapidly up through the gears and had had put on 68 by the ninth over when Fergusson (45) did well to get a bat on a wide leg side full toss from George Keatinge (2-36) only to be well held by A.Wright at deep fine leg.  The slow wicket made timing difficult but all of Doctors’ batsmen played themselves in carefully and then made full use of the quick outfield and short boundaries.  Gwynne Jones (23) lost his stumps to Keatinge when looking to engage overdrive but John Ogle (23 n.o.) and the highly impressive Harry Lee slipped effortlessly into the driving seat and kept their feet on the accelerator until the end.  Myles Beasley was the only bowler able to apply the brakes but the two batsmen were otherwise in complete control.  Lee’s unbeaten 45 contained 5 sixes and 2 fours.

 

  Australian Keatinge and New Zealander Beasley opened for Pacemakers at a high tempo and well as Sam Powell and John Down bowled were able to collect 26 from the first 5 overs.  The slowness of the wicket was amply demonstrated by keeper Fergusson’s decision to stand up to the lively Down and the decision paid off when Beasley (19) cheekily advanced down the wicket and was elegantly stumped – a method of dismissal which the pace bowler had hitherto never effected.  Keatinge and Tim Webster continued to press on and at the home side were keeping in touch with the asking rate until the introduction into the attack of Richard Gower brought the downfall of Keatinge (21) clean bowled and Will Gates (9) caught and bowled.  Webster found an ally in N.Short and at 108 for 3 with 5 overs left the game was anybody’s.  It was the combination of Gower’s youth and enthusiasm and the experience of Peter Reed that swung the balance in Doctors’ favour as Webster (23) sliced Gower (3-10) to be well caught by Reed at point and then Reed (2-22) bowled Short (11) off his pads.  Doctors survived an untypical rash of dropped chances in the final overs and despite an enterprising 19 n.o. from M.Short ran out comfortable winners.