Crimes and Misdemeanors

Last week was a bad week. They say things come in three's. Well that's as maybe - but not three near identical things, each one following the other surely? I have been a victim of crime x 3; a robbery, attempted burglary and a smash and grab.

On Friday, some hooded crack-head type nipped into MY office and whipped the laptop off MY desk whilst I was at lunch, the cheeky b*stard. And it had my batting and bowling averages on it - so nothing valuable then. On Friday night I noticed the ground floor room I use as my home office had one of the window locks missing, jemmied from the outside. They must have been scared off by something and no, not by my bowling averages thank you. One cricket-stats gag per blog is quite enough. Then on Saturday I was the victim of an outrageous smash and grab as S.T.A.R.T (Stapleford Tawney And Red Triangle) ruined our unbeaten home record with 3 balls of their innings left and us only requiring another wicket to ensure victory.

Oh and I almost forgot - someone nicked the badge off the bonnet of my Aston Martin as well.

But the real crime was on the pitch. We lost because we (I) under-estimated the opposition. The incomparable (and very vocal) Will Beagles and Andy Law taught us a lesson. They only had 6 players when they took their fiddling positions, so Bomber and Steve kindly volunteered to help out whilst the rest of their team inched up the M11 thanks to some Scout jamboree or suchlike. Will won the toss and put us in just so his team might have a bat - they were that weak (he said). I fell for the trap and altered the batting line up putting Angus and Paul well up the order and Steve (who was on tea duty) at number 11. No-one really got going and we made 183 and (cardinal sin this) failed to bat out our over allocation. Well done to Gus for his Canfield all-time high score of 30 and also to Jamie for top scoring but our better batters didn't and we were 30-40 runs shy. And well done to Ali for hitting the ball right at square leg when they only had one fielder on the on-side. Such precision.

Of course by now the rest of their team had tipped up (making 10 in total). We had a go after tea and Jamie's 4-21 off 10 overs was again the pick of the bowlers. Put they kept up with or just below the rate and moved up a gear when Jamie came off. I got two hard-earned wickets but the one we wanted, Dell their number 4 bat, played himself in and only gave one chance that Ali was unfortunate to put down at long on. With one over left they needed 2 runs to win and Will (fittingly) knocked them off with 3 balls left. Well done sir.

A great game played in a fun but competitive spirit, it was a shame to lose but well done to S.T.A.R.T for W.I.N.N.I.N.G. What a nice bunch they all are.

So, team-mates, what have we all learned from this?

1. Don't underestimate the opposition
2. Don't expect the tail to make up runs the top order should have knocked off
3. Don't bowl short on our wicket
4. Unless your Jamie, taking the pace off the ball will do wonders


Between you, me and this blog I was a bit hacked off by the end. My mood would have been lifted if Steve would have moved around the field when requested.And the next ex-Captain to tell me where to field will have his own dedicated blog entry. I consider this suitable punishment for such misdemeanors. Enough said.

On Saturday we are at home to Sampfords who will be out for revenge. I have but one thing to say:

GET 'EM IN THE HOLE!

I love you all really.

Preecher