Monday July 11th, v Sherborne CC, at Sherborne

Sherborne Pilgrims 290–7 (E R Atkins 96, T Gibbs 59); Sherborne CC 261–7 (F Kotze 105).
Match drawn

With a 2 o’clock start in the diary, and 70 overs on the schedule, Sherborne CC took to the field to bowl at a Pilgrims team full of recent leavers - and not so recent - alike. Recovering from a fantastic Cricketer Cup victory against Downside the day before, Atkins made his mark and was to be at the crease for some time. McKillop chose to face the first ball, the second, the third and the fourth – however, the first night of Cricket Week had taken it’ toll – nought for one.

Atkins teed off with several accomplices. Mackay-James nurdled out an attractive 27, followed by a solid 59 by Tom Gibbs. Somewhere along the line Atkins got caught while trying to reach his century in style, but the damage was done. With a 96 scored in 65 balls by our No 2 bat, and a couple of useful knocks from those further down the order, the Pilgrims reached a respectable 290 after the 35 overs.

Leach and Francis led the attack on the Town openers, both claiming a wicket in their first overs, seeing the batting side on eight for two wickets. Guppy and Kotze weathered the storm, holding out for close to 80 runs before the next wicket fell. The Town eased off the pedal and Kotze crept slowly, and at times unsurely, towards a much coveted century on The Upper. Dawson was to add 84 to the Town’s total, but it wasn’t quite enough and they ended on 261, 30 short of the target.

A good start to a thoroughly enjoyable week.

Will Fegen