1 Jun 2008 - Was Cartwright the missing lynchpin??
North Nibley`s six wicket win at Kingswood in the first match of the season was matched by a home defeat in the return game. The difference was no more than the slightly better containment by Kingswood`s eight man attack.
Batting first, Nibley soon lost Chris Marlow and Mark Patteson to the father and son opening attack of Steve and Jamie Moran. For the next 16 overs Nibley blossomed. Bob Hunt, the lonely long distance opener at Kingswood, again held the bowlers at bay with 42. Skipper Adrian Sherratt caressed where Hunt bludgeoned in their 62 partnership. Both survived two hard chances and Kingswood`s fielders, unused to flat outfields, occasionally helped by patting the ball over the boundary. Hunt`s dismissal by Angus McCubbin prevented Nibley`s much needed acceleration. The quest for quick runs saw wickets for Ben Foxwell and the returning Jamie Moran (3-14), including Sherratt for a well deserved 62. A run-out by Moran senior typified Nibley`s urgency. 163-7 looked good, but the feeling at tea was that 190 was par.
Though Kingswood lost both openers and the Number four for the sum of just seven, Rich Wilding hit 43 at a run a ball. 57-4 may have seemed a poor start but Kingswood, fielding nine bowlers also batted to No.11, few of whom were needed. The next 20 overs saw the most sublime batting of the day in an unbeaten 110 partnership between 42 year old Angus McCubbin (70*) and 16 year old Ben Foxwell (31*). Both showed timing at its best with classic cover drives and even purer on- drives and clips off the toes through square leg, all bringing Kingswood, not only victory by six wickets and six overs, but pleasure to all in the quality of the batting by both sides.