Neyland opened the 2014 season at home to StIshmaels. Tish were the only side to score more runs than Neyland in a match last season, and it came in an early season league fixture in Neyland, so Neyland were keen to improve on that this time out. StIshmaels have always had a side with several top players, but a lack of real depth to their side, and with the departure of Dean John after 1 season, and the loss of regular all-rounder Andrew Palmer to Australia, StIshmaels were probably not overly confident on success. They won the toss and opted to bat first, despite there being some damp patches on the wicket resulting from an issue with the new cover side sheets the previous evening.
County regular Peter Bradshaw opened the batting alongside Danny Howells. Patrick Hannon opened the bowling, and started reasonably well, and edge went between the slips, but at the other end Nathan Banner was lacking his usual enthusiasm as he appeared to be suffering from the previous evening's end of season do with Hakin football club. After 10 overs StIshmaels had reached a creditable 41 for 0. Henry Durrant and Gary Lloyd slowed the scoring rate a little, but after 25 overs StIshmaels were still well placed on 81 without loss. Neyland were without top all-rounder Nick Koomen for this fixture, and star opening batsman Paul Murray was suddenly unwell mid-innings, and was driven to hospital (thankfully he was later discharged having returned to normal!), and so at this point things were not looking too great.
Andrew Miller's introduction resulted in the removal of both opening batsmen caught and bowled, with Peter Bradshaw falling to a particularly sharp one handed effort down to Miller's right. Miller and Durrant continued to restrict the scoring rate, leaving Tish 100-2 off 37, until Andrew Williams eventually broke free with 2 big sixes off Miller's 7th over. Patrick Hannon then returned to remove Williams, lbw for 21, and took a further 2 wickets with the assistance of 2 sharp stumpings from twin brother Sean. At tea Neyland had fought back well to restrict StIshmaels to 143 for 5.
After tea Gregg Miller opened the batting with Scott Jones, and he survived an early chance when a straightforward opportunity was put down. Scott Jones went for 6, Ashley Sutton for 9 and Sean Hannon for 5. But Miller had settled in by now, and Neyland had reached 69 by the time the third wicket fell in the 19th over. At this point the match had been subject to three rain breaks, only 15 minutes of delays remained before the match would be abandoned, and more grey clouds were looming. Henry Durrant was brought in at number 5 and he and Gregg took control, advancing the score to the point where only the weather could realistically deny Neyland victory, at 125 in the 31st over. Durrant departed for a very useful 38, including 6 powerful boundaries, but Gregg kept Neyland in control throughout despite the discomfort he was still experiencing from his nasty ankle break playing rugby several months previously. Gregg played a couple of particularly fine cover drives while generally keeping the scoreboard ticking by running singles well to finish the innings on 61 not out, alongside brother Andrew on 11 not out, in taking Neyland to victory in the 35th over with 5 wickets in hand.
After the match all were relieved the hear that Paul Murray was on the mend, and there was an equally unanimous verdict that Patrick Hannon was overdue a haircut.
Captain Gregg Miller guides his side to a 5 wicket win in the first match of the 2014 season, against StIshmaels.
Match Scorecards:
Andrew Miller in action as Andrew Williams (StIshmaels) & Steve Blowes (umpire) look on.