Robbo
Thank
God for a bit of a turnaround from last week!
Is it my imagination or does the Sendholme wicket simply go dead when
it's not rolled? Certainly this was a throwback to the wickets of last
year and the game took much the same course.
On winning the toss, I asked the Seven Sports captain to bat and sensing
that he was a little glum about the prospect, I comforted by saying 'don't
worry, if your struggling, we'll put our second string bowlers on - after
all, we just want to have a good game'.
At about 3.50 pm with the score board showing an opposition score of 165
for 0, I was rather regretting my somewhat patronising words and wondering
where a wicket was going to come from. As it happened, it came in rather
bizarre circumstances. With Nick Wright bowling, the batsman (on 96) heaved
one miles in the air to Rob Symondson at Cow Corner. Rob appeared to be
the only person on the field oblivious to the fact that the ball was descending
at enormous velocity towards a point on the top of his cranium marked
X. Rob himself appeared to be gazing interestedly at a point in the trees
some 50 yards to his left and it was only my panic stricken shriek of
'Rob' which made him look up at the last second and complete a rather
improbable catch which he later modestly but entirely accurately described
as merely self preservation.
This seemed to buck everyone up and Doug then took another good catch
in the deep (to make up for an earlier drop) again off Nick. Alex returning
for a last burst bowled the replacement. The other note worthy event was
a run out by Mike Pearmain who hit the stumps from deep third man. It
must also be said that dropped catches were a feature of the innings though
the perpetrators will go nameless (they know who they are!!) Their innings
was declared on 242 for 4.
After last weeks dismal showing with the bat, I felt as pep talk was in
order and was well into my fourth version of it before being told to shut
up by the senior batsman. However, Rob (for it was he) and Mike Pearmain
batted very well putting on 75 for the first wicket before Rob was very
well held at deep square leg and Mike Pearmain was caught behind in slightly
dubious circumstances. This brought together the young guns of Alex Cudworth
and Nick Wright. Alex was quickly into his stride mixing aggression with
quick singles and with Nick driving his second ball classically through
mid off for 4. The older players sat back to enjoy a batting treat. Alex
was brutal on anything off line and before he was caught at square leg,
he made 76 off 50 balls with 4 enormous 6's. Nick batted very sensibly
mixing watchfulness with aggression and completed his first senior 50
with six 4's and one 6 off 46 balls whilst at the crease with proud father.
The 242 to win was achieved with 4 overs to spare with Nick undefeated
on 54 and yours truly on 15 not out.
All in all, a very good batting performance backed up by some ground fielding
which was enthusiastic throughout. The catching needs work but we look
forward to a good performance again next week.