Winter draws on
Bit of a sticky start to this game as we were really struggling to
get a side together having only 9 on Saturday night. However, Rob Symondson
came up with the goods for us on Sunday morning and Nick had a friend
staying the weekend who agreed to make up the numbers.
The Albamorphics skipper on winning the toss, had no hesitation in asking
us to bat having batted first on every other occasion and been soundly
defeated. Rob Symondson and Nick Wright therefore took the stage. The
opening attack was very much on the spot and not easy to get away and
having eased a couple of nice drives through the covers for 4, Nick
was bowled for 12, aiming a big blow over long off. It was felt that
a night without sleep in the fleshpots of the west end was not conducive
to concentration and so it proved.
Rob was joined by Toby Cudworth who flicked some nice shots off his
legs to get his score moving while Rob combined watchful defence with
the occasional big blow. A change of bowling brought if anything a further
stranglehold as the replacements were both both faster and bowling short
of a length. Some erratic bowling brought runs in the form of no balls
and wides but runs from the bat were hard to come by and with the score
at about 60 Toby fell trying to move the score along and lofting a simple
catch to midwicket.
Justin arrived at the wicket complaining at some length about the inadequacy
of the plumbing in the Gents toilet and the lack of gauge to the pipework
and clearly his mind was still on this little teaser as he stepped across
the second ball which hit him on the back foot about 2" from the
stumps. As the umpire, I could think of no good reason not to return
him swiftly to the Gents loo.
Crisis loomed although Rob was still there and batting well and passed
50 once again this season but as before, this seemed to have a negative
affect on his concentration and a series of wild swipes resulted in
the removal of his off stump. Edgar, who had replaced Jus was joined
by Steve Reece and at this point a total of 150 looked unlikely. Inexplicably
however, the opposing captain, possibly mindful of internal whingeing
if others were not given a game, brought on his third string bowlers
and the whole nature of the game changed. A new meaning was brought
to the term 'buffet bowling' and Edgar having a healthy appetite, gorged
himself mightily. Steve Reece, ever the gentleman was less harsh, but
the two swiftly accelerated the scoring until the carnage was brought
to a halt by tea with the score at 220 for 4 with Edgar 80 not out and
Steve 38 not out.
Toby and Ian opened the bowling after tea, both bowling a good line
and length and giving nothing away. Toby got an immediate reward by
bowling one of the openers and Ian picked up two as reward for a very
steady spell. The batmen then slid one down to third man which was chased
by Nick and made the mistake of taking on Nicks arm. A direct throw
hit the stumps with the batsman yards out of his ground though he stood
with hands on hips, looking at the umpire for some time in incredulity.
Only he knows what the problem was!
At this point, It was obvious that the opposition could not win and
they settled down to see off the remainder of the match. Edgar bowled
a probing spell without much initial reward, Steve Reece bowled 3 tight
overs and I bowled 5 with much result. With the match petering out Nick
came on and bowling fast and straight, immediately bowled one of the
batsmen with his 3rd ball. Edgar then had one caught by Justin at cover
and bowled the obdurate South African. Nick then bowled another at the
other end and with 2 overs to go there seemed a chance we could get
the last two wickets. To no avail however, and the match was drawn.
Brian Hallam making a welcome return after injury (and before the next
one) distinguished himself with a number of tumbling stops in the gully
and generally the fielding was of a decent standard.