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Cirencester 135-6

Malmesbury 134 all out

 

CIRENCESTER hosted Malmesbury in a 40 over pre-season friendly on Saturday, April 18.

With the sun shining brightly and the park looking in tip top shape, it felt like summer had come early.

Cirencester captain Matt Carter won the toss and elected to put Malmesbury in to bat on a track that looked to have a bit in it for the bowlers.

Early on, this theory looked to be correct as Cirencester picked up the wicket of Malmesbury skipper Michael Collison for 5; trapped on the crease LBW by youngster Joel Frost who was also the pick of the bowlers with 3-37.

Malmesbury managed to steady the ship however when James Gillespie (39) and James Pearce-Smith (27) came together, the former carrying on his fine batting form from 2014, timing the ball nicely through the covers and picking the gaps in the field with precision.

The partnership was looking ominous for Cirencester when it passed 50 and the pitch had looked to flatten out a touch in the afternoon sun.

Jock Jamieson-Black with his left arm slow bowling stepped up for town, getting one to stick in the pitch a bit which Pearce-Smith chipped into the waiting hands of Ben Moody.

After this town were in control, working their way through the batting.

Young Tom Rutter was bowling tightly and finished with figures of 2-13, as was U14 James Boyle who finished with 1-24.

Boyle’s leg spinners were incredibly accurate and showed development surpassing his age.

Malmesbury were eventually bowled out for 134 off 33 overs.

Although not a huge total to chase, town still knew it would be tricky.

This was made even trickier when opener Ben Moody (1) was bowled by a ball from Phil Cook (2-38) that came back in off the seam.

Following that Alex Binnie (7) was caught behind driving at one and 3 overs later Will Mason (0) was out LBW from the bowling of Fin Beldon (2-27).

This left Cirencester reeling with the score at 20-3.

Up stepped Jock Jamieson-Black, this time with the bat, who through an aggressive approach smashed four fours and three big sixes.

He was bowled by Fin Beldon going for his forth and George Thrussell (5) and Faizal Beeri (7) soon followed bringing together the experienced Dom Jeffcott (43 not out) and the youthful Tom Rutter (16 not out).

The former rolled back the years in an innings that, as it progressed, became more and more fluent.

Rutter rounded off a good days work with the ball with a mature innings to help see his side home with four wickets and six overs to spare.

Cirencester will hope to build on this strong performance when they host Tewkesbury this Saturday and in an away fixture to Northleach on Sunday.