GHS Dartford – home – lost
Last time we played this lot the pitch had a major influence in the outcome. For sure we adapted to the conditions much better and deserved the win but as we would be playing on a flat track this week we’d get a true feeling for just how good both teams were.
If I had to say, I think our batting has been the weaker element to our game so far this season. Captain Nick is a thinker and he decided that it would be better for us to have a bowl and chase a total. A solid enough theory.
Butler opened up typically enough with some very tight bowling. He was ably aided by Nigel “Dave the Ump’s Mate” Malyan who despite a couple of early wides soon found his stride and conceded just 12 runs from his 4 overs.
Time for Nick to make a move and so Buss and Harvey were swapped in. He was vindicated shortly thereafter when Harvey started up with his famous mind tricks. As he came in to bowl the opposition captain backed away and Neil had to abort. Neil has never been one for this sort of thing and made the batsman wait while he stood there checking the ball for flecks of dust (it makes a difference I’m told). We then entered a phase of gamesmanship with neither men giving an inch. Eventually Harvey had had enough and delivered a well flighted ball that drifted in and completely deceived the batsman who thought he was going to knock the skin off the ball and we had our first wicket.
The track was playing well and the next wicket did not come for quite some time when that man Harvey trapped their inform batsman leg before.
So with 150 runs on the board and only two wickets down things were not looking great. Nick The Wizard dipped into his bag of tricks and in what can only be described as an inspired move altered reality as we know it and threw the ball to Fennell. The rest of the team (and even Fennell himself) just stood and stared but blow me if this tactic didn’t work. A long hop was produced and the foolish batsman only succeeded in scooping the ball up to Brewer at mid off. A couple of overs later and Nick got a regulation catch at mid on. Then the incoming batsman chipped his first ball back to Fennell and he was on a hat trick. What was going on? Nick had shifted us into a bizarre universe indeed. One that not even special mushrooms can get you to and where the normal rules of cricket no longer apply. Then another wicket from a genuinely good delivery and he had four. And even in the last over he of the game produced a slower ball which floated through the charging batsman and allowed “Baby Maker” Fennings a stumping. So a five wicket haul for Fennell. Never will this be written again.
Trouble was with all this excitement, the opposition had posted a score of 220. That’s big. Really big.
After a spot of tea, Brewer and Ward were sent out to reply. And reply they did. Without giving any chances they struck the ball to all parts of the ground and we set about the run chase. It was a delight to sit and watch your openers build a solid base for once. After an hour of heroics Bewer succumbed and departed the fray with 39 runs to his name. We were 75 for 1. Enter Baby Maker who if truth be told has had a mediocre time with the bat. Not today though. He set about the bowling with some well struck and solid blows. At the other end Ward was quietly amassing a total too. Together they put on another 50 runs before Ward developed wanderlust and was stumped for 39. So 128 for 2 then.
Next in Buss who immediately turned up the heat and he and Baby Maker started taking quick singles and turning ones into twos. The run rate shot up. It didn’t last nearly long enough though and Buss fell to a good delivery. Together they had added another 40 to the total and we were 165 for 3. This was looking good.
“The Bowler Formally Known As H” strode to the crease with some long and easy strides. Unfortunately after nearly two hours at the crease Baby Maker was bowled and had to return to the pavilion just nine runs shy of his maiden 50. 170 for 4. Next in Butler who displayed some considerable restraint and thought in his last innings. Three balls into his innings he showed the complete opposite and had to begin the walk of shame. Gymslip Jenkins cartwheeled his way to join H who continued to impress as he stroked the ball for 4 but he too soon fell. 176 for 5. Jenkins, Harvey and then Wee Stevie Oakley fought a valiant rearguard action but with only a few overs to go and 50 runs required it was asking too much. After our allotted 40 we fell short by just 25.
Our post match analysts took a look at the score book; with 20 extras, at least another 20 extra runs through misfields and failure to take singles while batting you can see where things could have been different. Some more thought by all is required for the next game.
Moment of the match
New boy Paul Jenkins is not a delicate flower of a man. A solid unit you might say. Anyhow, said lump was fielding at fine leg amongst the rabbit holes when the ball was clipped down towards him. He set off at a gallop but unwisely attempted to bend down and pick up the ball whilst on the run. As head plunged earthward and arse went skyward this brave attempt ended in a magnificent forward roll and Paul emerged with the ball in hand. Even the batsmen had to stop and applaud the feat of gymnastics.
Man of the match
I’m going to give this one to Captain Nick. His return to form with the bat, strong display in the field and inspired bowling changes gave us a very real chance of winning this tight game.
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