Another match with Fishers, another heavy loss! It was sorely tempting just to add a link to the last match report against them entitled “ditto”.

After a number of days of showers the pitch and outfield were always going to be heavy but in reality the surface couldn’t be blamed for this one. The Clarence Park pitch was arguably the best we’ve played on this season while the rain held off nicely ensuring a bright if blustery evening.

Unfortunately, the play on the pitch didn’t equal the brightness of the sky. Captain David Reed elected to bat first as not all players could be on time and openers Simon Wilson and debutant Mark Ellis headed to the centre.

Wilson got a peach of a delivery first ball that came off the pads and onto the stumps. His quick dismissal was to set the tone as he was quickly followed by Steve Robertson and then Mark Ellis with only 10 runs on the scoreboard.

Ian Holmes began taking the batting to Fishers but the slow outfield meant that good shots were going for 2’s or 3’s when on another day they would have been boundaries.

Richard Noden and Roger Barton both batted and fell quickly and it was only when Captain Reed entered the fray that Holmes had support at bat. In the end Holmes contributed 17 runs as part of an all round performance that earned him joint man-of-the-match for the Saddos. Meanwhile Reed contributed 10 runs to be only the second player of the innings to reach double figures.

Pete Stauvers batting included a sweetly pulled four to the football club boundary proving that it was possible to hit shots but then also fell swiftly to the accurate bowling.

With Reed’s dismissal Peter Church arrived at bat for only the second time for the SFDWP. Within the first few deliveries his class with the bat was obvious hitting an early boundary, one of three in his innings of 24 not out. His batting earned him the accolade of joint man-of-the-match with Ian Holmes and ensured that the end of innings total had a much healthier appearance.

To close the innings he was joined by Nick Button, a welcome return from injury. Button added 7 runs not out and the scorecard closed at 81 for 8. Whilst not a great total, compared to 27 for 6 it seemed a good recovery.

Captain Reed then employed an unsual option, subcontracting the field placements to Nick Button. In turn, Nick used the age old tactic of waiting until everyone had picked their own position and we were off.

Mark Ellis opened from the Pavilion end and his first over was something to behold. It had pace, hostility and bounce and the Fisher’s batsman could only watch and curse as the ball flew past him. The prospect of Ellis and Spencer opening the bowling in tandem is one to be savoured.

Ian Holmes started from the opposite end. The batsman, probably from relief at not having to face Mark Ellis, took to the bowling and pulled successive boundaries to the shorter football club edge. Holmes was to wreak revenge in the following over scattering the stumps with a fine straight ball.

By now Fishers had obviously decided to make short work of the total as fours were coming thick and fast. The only bowler avoiding being hit was Richard Noden who delivered a fine, controlled couple of overs for only seven runs.

Roger Barton joined the bowling and the boundaries kept flowing. The only plus was that a number were hit in the air meaning that a chance would come. Sure enough, second over a straight drive was skyed towards the long on boundary. Nick Button was there but couldn’t make the ground and the chance was missed.

Finally, Button himself came into bowl but was unable to complete the over as the match was finished after the fifth ball.

So it was another heavy defeat but there were major positives. Peter Church’s batting was excellent and the addition of Mark Ellis to the bowling attack will be a major plus for the future. With a number of players to come back after the holiday season a more competitive result could be there to be had… it’s just a question of whether we want to go for it!!