Deadly duo wreak havoc as Services crush Ellingham

OPENING bowlers John Parker and Fraser Quirke ran riot as United Services dismissed Ellingham for just seven runs to record a remarkable Hampshire League division one victory.
United Services captain Matt Easton was delighted with his bowlersUnited Services captain Matt Easton was delighted with his bowlers
United Services captain Matt Easton was delighted with his bowlers

It was a remarkable contest played in difficult weather conditions.

Services feared defeat after posting 120 all out and Ellingham’s revised target was set at 116.

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But the mood soon changed as the wickets began to tumble in the most amazing fashion.

Parker picked up six wickets for just one run with five maidens from his 6.2 overs.

Quirke took four wickets for six runs with one maiden in his six overs.

Services captain Matt Easton watched the events unfold in a state of disbelief.

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With his bowlers wreaking havoc the fielders closed in to tighten the noose on the Ellingham batsmen as they fell one after the other.

Easton said: ‘It all happened so quickly. We couldn’t believe it really.

‘It was brilliant to watch as a spectator. I had the best view in the house at first slip.

‘Everyone was buzzing after the game.

‘I would love to be able to watch it back, I can’t imagine you are going to see anything similar again.

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‘It was one of the best opening spells of bowling I think I will ever see.

‘They bowled with unbelievable control.

They were attacking the stumps and making the batsmen jump about all over the place.

‘We got a wicket in the first over, then it took a couple of overs to get the next one.

‘After we got the second wicket they just kept on coming.

‘They went into freefall really. Some of them didn’t play a bad shot, they just got done by a good ball.

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‘Our bowlers will probably never have figures like those again.

‘Four of the six runs Fraser conceded were wides.’

Services batted first and after a brief rain delay they were all out for 120.

Easton and Gary Hounsome batted well together after a tough spell.

But during the interval they were certainly not anticipating the drama ahead.

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Easton added: ‘The pitch was not easy to score on but not difficult to bat on if that makes sense.

‘We had rash shots from a few of our players.

‘During our innings I had to run around the boundary to get my pads because we lost a cluster of wickets quickly.

‘After our innings we were thinking we would be the ones dejected but instead it was absolute elation.

‘It was an emotional rollercoaster of a game.’

Easton’s side host Bishop’s Waltham on Saturday.