https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tBcDmuR0ksg
The 1st team ranks were once again very depleted, thus the 'bolstering' of the side came in the shape of a couple of 53 year olds and the 'daddy of them all' a 58 year old! The visitors to GLA on a beautiful sunny day were bottom of the table Southwell who also boasted players of 'considerable experience' although 'spring chickens' in comparison to the home teams' 9,10 & 11.
With Captain Ryan's services again required to satisfy the television viewers, Dad Kevin stepped in to take over at the helm and promptly lost the toss. Southwell elected to bat on a belting batting wicket and lightning fast outfield - it was going to be hard work for the bowlers. A quick wicket apiece for Billy A & the acting Captain had the visitors reeling on 4-2, but a recovery saw the score progress to 88 before the third wicket fell in the 24th over. The 'spin twins' of Bennett and 'Grimmo' bowled in tandem for a good chunk of the innings and progress by the batting side was steady but not spectacular. Only a hard hitting knock by number 6 Nathan Burton threatened to accelerate the total towards something big. When he fell to an excellent running catch in the deep by Billy B off Grimmo and further super catches were pouched by Peeler and the Rock Lobster, Southwell were bowled out in the final over for 228. A decent total, but the wicket was a delight to bat on. Honourable mentions to the bowlers who stuck to their tasks well lead by Grimmo with 4-73 from 16 overs.
As the weary troops retired to the dressing room and tea room, the ice packs, ibruprofen and deep heat were summoned whilst a wonderful Mrs Evans tea was washed down by copious amounts of Sanatogen!
Calvo's reply couldn't have got off to a worse start as Billy B nicked off first ball to the stumper bringing Peeler in to join Scotty. These two progressed serenely taking the score to 89 with no real alarms. Then both Peeler & Scott fell in the blink of an eye leaving Cal W and Flea to rebuild the innings. 31 were added before Cal was out, Billy A didn't stay long and the total had reached 136-5 by the 35th over. So 93 were needed for victory from 13 overs but just 5 wickets remained as the three elder statesmen were awaking from their after tea nap! James Cairney joined Flea and added some much needed impetus to the innings, striking 3 big sixes towards the packed gallery on the pavilion verandah. When Cairney was bowled for a quick fire 28, him and Flea had added 55 in just under 7 overs leaving a further 38 runs required from 6 overs. Palms became even more sweaty when Grimmo was run out for 3 & Kev went out to join Flea who was approaching a well earned 50. Kev struck a 6 over long off, Flea went to 50 off just 55 balls and we were back in the driving seat. As the 47th over started, 12 were needed from 12 balls, a single was taken off the first ball and then Kev was caught behind from the next ball leaving 11 needed from 10 balls as one 53 year old replaced another. The Chairman and Captain conferred as they crossed and the battle plan was drawn up. Picko faced Up to Southwell spinner Rimmer and promptly plonked the first ball he faced for 4, seven needed from 9. The next ball was short and pulled away into the horse field for 6 and the scores were level. As the field closed in to try and save the one run required for victory, the winning runs were struck with another 6 and 7 balls remaining.
A cracking game of cricket and the team back on track with 20 valuable points. With other results filtering through, the news was that we had returned to the top of the table.
MOM Tough one with some great performances, edged by Grimmo with 4-73 keeping the target attainable.
The 1st team ranks were once again very depleted, thus the 'bolstering' of the side came in the shape of a couple of 53 year olds and the 'daddy of them all' a 58 year old! The visitors to GLA on a beautiful sunny day were bottom of the table Southwell who also boasted players of 'considerable experience' although 'spring chickens' in comparison to the home teams' 9,10 & 11.
With Captain Ryan's services again required to satisfy the television viewers, Dad Kevin stepped in to take over at the helm and promptly lost the toss. Southwell elected to bat on a belting batting wicket and lightning fast outfield - it was going to be hard work for the bowlers. A quick wicket apiece for Billy A & the acting Captain had the visitors reeling on 4-2, but a recovery saw the score progress to 88 before the third wicket fell in the 24th over. The 'spin twins' of Bennett and 'Grimmo' bowled in tandem for a good chunk of the innings and progress by the batting side was steady but not spectacular. Only a hard hitting knock by number 6 Nathan Burton threatened to accelerate the total towards something big. When he fell to an excellent running catch in the deep by Billy B off Grimmo and further super catches were pouched by Peeler and the Rock Lobster, Southwell were bowled out in the final over for 228. A decent total, but the wicket was a delight to bat on. Honourable mentions to the bowlers who stuck to their tasks well lead by Grimmo with 4-73 from 16 overs.
As the weary troops retired to the dressing room and tea room, the ice packs, ibruprofen and deep heat were summoned whilst a wonderful Mrs Evans tea was washed down by copious amounts of Sanatogen!
Calvo's reply couldn't have got off to a worse start as Billy B nicked off first ball to the stumper bringing Peeler in to join Scotty. These two progressed serenely taking the score to 89 with no real alarms. Then both Peeler & Scott fell in the blink of an eye leaving Cal W and Flea to rebuild the innings. 31 were added before Cal was out, Billy A didn't stay long and the total had reached 136-5 by the 35th over. So 93 were needed for victory from 13 overs but just 5 wickets remained as the three elder statesmen were awaking from their after tea nap! James Cairney joined Flea and added some much needed impetus to the innings, striking 3 big sixes towards the packed gallery on the pavilion verandah. When Cairney was bowled for a quick fire 28, him and Flea had added 55 in just under 7 overs leaving a further 38 runs required from 6 overs. Palms became even more sweaty when Grimmo was run out for 3 & Kev went out to join Flea who was approaching a well earned 50. Kev struck a 6 over long off, Flea went to 50 off just 55 balls and we were back in the driving seat. As the 47th over started, 12 were needed from 12 balls, a single was taken off the first ball and then Kev was caught behind from the next ball leaving 11 needed from 10 balls as one 53 year old replaced another. The Chairman and Captain conferred as they crossed and the battle plan was drawn up. Picko faced Up to Southwell spinner Rimmer and promptly plonked the first ball he faced for 4, seven needed from 9. The next ball was short and pulled away into the horse field for 6 and the scores were level. As the field closed in to try and save the one run required for victory, the winning runs were struck with another 6 and 7 balls remaining.
A cracking game of cricket and the team back on track with 20 valuable points. With other results filtering through, the news was that we had returned to the top of the table.
MOM Tough one with some great performances, edged by Grimmo with 4-73 keeping the target attainable.