Last Ball of The Last Game needs Britain's Last Stand
tFollowing a flurry of emails (some of which were no doubt confusing) from the skipper, Concorde CC turned up bang on time for a 1.00pm start unlike several of the visitors who struggled on the long journey from Ripley, for what proved to be a good final performance of the 2005 season.
Ripley CC elected to bat first and both Matt and Robin (Linnecar) applied themselves well against the opening Ripley pair, with Matt bowling an initial fast and furious spell of 3 overs before his 'lungs tightened up' - his words not mine!! Matt I can only suggest regular (outdoor) physical exercise in between matches. However, Rob continued to apply both line, length and swing to remove one of the openers. Toby replaced Matt and almost immediately had sucess with 2 wickets in quick succession. At this stage Ripley were 40-3 when we saw the first of 3 1st team players come in to bat. The skipper replaced Rob only to find that the new batsmen had a liking for leg spin bowling and proceeded to score freely to all parts on the ground and put on 50 -60 additional runs very quickly, bringing an end to leg spin for the 2005 season. Something needed to be done to stem the flow of runs. Needless to say the skipper reverted to 'tried and tested, fast and furious' in the form of Ian and Matt - both performed as required keeping runs down and taking wickets regularly- removing 2 of the main batsmen before they had a chance to do any real damage. Matt's second spell was aggressive and bodes well for 2006, subject to a regime of regular winter training. (Look forward to seeing you at the winter nets Matt) Ian applied his usual guile to remove their star batsman for 66. Yet again the fielding was of a high standard (except for the skipper who dropped a skier) restricting Ripley to 195 - 8 when over 200 looked likely. Both Matt and Toby securing 3 wkts each, Ian 2, and Robin 1.
Jon Cardy (45) and Rob Symondson opened the Concorde reply with Rob hitting confidently and Jon playing a watchful innings. The early dismissal of Rob brought Doug Michael to the crease. Both batsmen moved the score along at a brisk pace before Doug miss-timed a drive and was caught ( 80 - 2). The middle order of Steve Reece (38) and Brian Hallam (28) supported Jon in taking us to within sniffing distance of the Ripley total, before the skipper at number 6 had a couple of suicidal moments that brought the demise of himself and Robin Linnecar.
The final overs are described at first hand in the words of 'Our H'
"Imagine my surprise being asked to bat at no. 8, obviously next year's skipper has immense faith in me to try me out so high up the order. Following the good start I wasn't expecting to have to bat at all, but wickets fell regularly, although quite well spaced apart.
I arrived at the crease with about 5 overs to go, 17 runs required, the skipper still in and 3 batsmen awaiting eagerly in the pavilion, all I would need to do was make sure he kept most of the strike and it would all be plain sailing. Imagine my amazement as Edgar immediately lofts one to mid off. Never mind Ian is a good steady bat, still no problems. Ian is facing their speedy first teamer, he will be the one difficult to get away, better to concentrate on the slow bowler on at the other end. The keeper fumbles the ball and we scamper through for a bye. Sure enough the quickie is a bit too much for me, can't get near the ball.
16 off four overs, the old phrase "We'll get 'em in singles" springs to mind. Ian is facing the slow bowler, plenty of gaps in the field. He tosses up the first one, Ian's leg comes down the wicket, the blade flash-, no it's a dead bat, so's the next and the next. Imagine my horror, Ian plays out a maiden over. I wander down for a chat, "Accurate bowler ?" I enquire. "Skipper's instructions were to stick out for the draw, but I'm not sure if he meant it" Ian replied
16 off three overs, I'm facing the quickie again. Concentrate Smith, let's see if we can work the ball around and pick up some runs, like hell, the ones I don't miss entirely hit me on the thigh. Last ball of the over coming up, mini charge down the wicket flash and flash hard, the ball came right off the edge, just as planned (?) 4 runs to the vacant third man, phew that makes it more manageable.
12 off 2 overs and here comes the slow bowler again. I give Ian an encouraging smile and nod, he studiously ignores me. Fair enough, he must be concentrating hard deciding where to hit the ball. He certainly was, six more dead bat shots. Bloody Hell.
12 off the last over, and no respite from the pace merchant. Somehow I manage to get the bat on the first ball and it squirts out behind point, run the first, look for the second, too risky. Then I hear the encouragement from my team mates "There was an easy 2 there !" "Get on with it !" So we must be going for the win after all ! Thanks for letting me know guys. Ian does knit one, purl one and we get a single off the third ball. 3 balls to go, 10 to win. Ian kindly leaving it up to me. Oh well shit or bust time. The bowler has obviously been watching the professionals playing one day cricket and sneaks down his 'at the death' slower delivery. Unfortunately for him I had already decided to march down and smite it, and the fact it was slower meant instead of missing my smash over long off, I smeared it through mid on, shock horror drama ! it beats the fielder for 4 ! 2 balls 6 to win. Smith thinks 'He's not going to bowl that one again, so just try and get some bat on it'. Sure enough it's quick and on the off stump, stand up and hit it through the covers, damn, not hard enough, but it's beaten the field and we scamper through for 2 runs. At least it maintains the interest. 1 ball to go 4 to win, this is the moment I've been waiting for all my life, my first ever opportunity to actually win a match instead of grind out the draw. Where are the Channel 4 cameras ? This is even better than the Ashes. Maybe I'll get on the cover of Boy's Own. The bowler turns at the end of his run up, I can see the sweat standing out on his brow (what, with your eyesight ?), the scowl on his face, his sinews stiffening. I'm sure my heart can't handle beating so fast. In he comes, this is going to be a quick one, hit it Smith, hit it. The ball is short of a length (not too much), I can't get into position, swing at it anyway, you never know (no, but you've got a damned good idea). Despair, I miss it completely, my shoulders sag, I look round the keeper's got it, no, he hasn't ! it's gone through his gloves, (just the same way it does through mine I notice calmly), the bowler has sent it down so fast it's got the legs to go to the boundary, third man can't get it, it hits the fence, 4 byes !!! We've won. Ian is jumping up and down and screaming with delight, "Calm down" I venture. "Fantastic, you know what a competitive bugger I am" he says. "Not from where I was standing for 5 overs you weren't mate".
"I hope it's not 47 years before I get my next chance at glory, maybe I might even hit the ball next time".