Spatcher - batting is the key (From Halstead Gazette)

Spatcher - batting is the key

12:42pm Friday 3rd July 2009

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Matt Spatcher feels Halstead’s batsman hold the key to the club’s survival in the Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League.

The Star Stile club head to Norwich tomorrow still rooted to the bottom of the table.

However, their seven-wicket triumph over fellow strugglers Saffron Walden last weekend - only their second win of the campaign - has given them renewed hope for the latter half of the campaign.

Spatcher and Chris Barton both hit half-centuries in the triumph.

And every Halstead batsman managed double figures, something that has not happened regularly enough this season.

Skipper Spatcher believes that has to happen more, if the club are to retain their Premier League status for another term.

He told the Gazette: “It was good to have a few batsmen turn up for a game and take the pressure off our bowlers.

“It felt good for me personally and gives me a lot of confidence going into tomorrow’s match.

“It was a great big monkey off my back.

“I was just disappointed with the way I got out, because there was still a long way to go in the match.

“But Chris Barton came in and did very well and it was great to see him hit the winning runs.

“We struggled against spin earlier in the season against Swardeston.

“But we did well last Saturday, on what turned out to be a fairly spin-friendly track.

“I always knew that the first half of the season would be a bit of a struggle, with players missing.

“But from next week, there will be players returning who have played high quality cricket.”

Halstead will be without two key players for their match against Norwich.

Former Essex player Matt Surry is sidelined with mumps.

And Neil Jacobs misses the trip to Norfolk because of work commitments.

The absenteeism will mean that Spatcher retains his place opening the batting for Halstead this weekend.

He added: “I was hoping to drop down the innings against Norwich but I’ll stay at the top.”

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