GARGOYLES GET LOST AND WIN DRAW

After a fine bowling and fielding performance, the Alstonefield Gargoyles needed a courageous twenty seven over stand between captain John Salt and Sunil Angris to come away from Sutton on the Hill with an honourable draw. On a fast hard wicket, all the Gargoyles’ bowlers maintained good line and length, with Richard Allen’s away swing  particularly impressive. Phil Bagshaw was aggressive throughout and deserved his 3 wickets and Sunil Angris introduced some subtle variations at the end of the Sutton innings to claim 2 wickets. The fielding is sharper than last season, with Rob Handscombe leading the way,  but there were still dropped chances. Without ever breaking free, the Sutton batsmen accumulated runs at five per over, with opener Duffill making 42 and Wright 57. Declaring at tea after 41 overs, Sutton had built a score of 217 for 6.

The Gargoyles needed a solid start against the lively Sutton attack. They didn’t get it and in spite of dogged resistance from Rob Handscombe, the score had rapidly imploded to 41 for 7 when Sunil Angris joined John Salt with 27 overs remaining. What followed was a tremendous show of skill, concentration and courage from both players, which in the end had the Sutton bowlers at their wits end with frustration. 112 for 7 at 7pm thanks to a captain’s innings from John Salt of 44 not out, made possible by the limpit like refusal to budge of Sunil Angris who was unbeaten on 21 and a famous draw was won. And just like last season half the team got lost getting there.