Great Chesterford (home) lost**
* -273 Kelvin
** 9 below zero
*** Freezing
**** Bit nippy
*****Here comes the sun
It was that cold. Alternating between third man and mid on, freezing my nuts off, is no fun at all. Things had better start improving if I'm going to continue to make cameo performances for the Sun XI that's all I can say. Nine men (two cried off - and no Panther was not one of them) versus nine didn't exactly help matters, nor the fact this was an 'away' game but played at home, which meant Gt Chesterford bought the teas with them and it was a win/lose format. Most disorientating all round.
It's an interesting experience being skippered rather than being at the helm myself. Time definitely went more slowly in the field and I saw lots of things I'd personally have tweaked but Andy is Captain and anyway, he wouldn't have been able to hear me from third man, not in that gale. I felt like JW must feel most Saturdays....
We fielded. They made 225 or thereabouts for the loss of 6 wickets. Well played The Chair for his 3-for (ideal bowling conditions for him), Clint for his 2 wickets with me getting the dangerous Waz out for a duck thanks to Jamie's catch at moo corner. But their opener got a century although I could have snared him twice in my first over. I bowled okay (bit expensive in my final over) but at least I was feeling a bit warmer moving about a bit (which was more than the ball was doing).
Their opening bowlers pinned us back after tea and we were behind the rate when the wickets inevitably began to fall. It was only when I'd been in for a few overs that Stuart told me it was a win/lose game and to get a move on. Cue swing across the line to their off spinner. Cue early departure. I'd have fancied batting out for a draw as well.
So we lost by 60 odd runs but it was closer than it looks if we take their opener out of the equation. You know me - ever the optimist.
Man of the Match: Jamie - for holding 4 catches
Mug of the Match: Dave, their miserable off spinner who only smiled once the whole game (first time in 5 years I think) and then gave his wicket away. Ha-ha
Champagne moment: Any one of Jamie's catches - the one handed slip catch was my personal fav
And that was that. Andy - sorry I dashed off but had to do the kids tea. I owe you £6 match fee.
Dunno what it is about Sunday games tho - no disrespect to any of my team mates but the games do seem a bit, well 'flat' I suppose. A real gloomy Sunday feel sometimes. Every Day is Like Sunday so Morriesy reckoned. He might have been on to something. We need more banter, more fun and a few ex-players back. And warmer weather.
I'm off on a mini-break canal boating this weekend. And yes, the weather forecast is for it to be well below the seasonal av. temperature. I will think of ways to keep warm somehow...
See you in a fortnight.
Nipples
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
S.T.A.R.T (home) - Match Won*****
* Ineistas' 94th min strike
** Drogba TV sweary rant
*** Ballacks to the lot of you
**** Essien wonder goal
***** 4-1 at the Arsenal helps ease the pain
"Drop back for this bat" isn't something I ever thought I'd hear whilst yours truly was at the crease but it happened on Saturday after I'd hit Will Beagles, S.T.A.R.T.s skipper, for a huge six over long on and having crushed an off drive for 4 from the previous ball. Easy game batting when you get the hang of it. And there's another 3 runs glanced down to fine leg... 20-odd runs from 13 balls going in to bat with 3 and a bit overs to go? Most reasonable...
Twa's sunny and calm on Saturday as we welcomed the remants of Stapleford Tawney And Red Triangle (work out the acronym for yourselves) to The Park, skippered as ever by the genial Will Beagles. I won the toss and handed back the decision to bat or bowl to Will. Such a sporting chap am I. But Will is equally sporting and insisted we bat first on a good wicket. So we did. And made 242 in 40 overs and EVERYONE got runs; Gaz (who hasn't played for Canfield for 10 years and was visiting from France) guested and got 43 as an opener, ably assited by Ali with 32. Gus went in at 3 and got 43. Then Lee, one of three youngsters playing, got into double fugures, followed by Harry and Patrick all making a solid contribution. It was nice to see. Their opener was a bit lively but after that, we got quick runs and, at 6 an over, batting 2nd was always going to be tough.
Post tea JW and Paul opened the bowling and did very well with Paul clean bowling one of the openers (bowling from the right end Angus - take heed) and then JW getting the mightily dangerous Del out for a duck, caught at point by Harry. Then on came the Skipper with a first ball wicket (sorry Tim for playing on - but he did get me out last year with a ball that bounced about 4 times I seem to recall), then a 2nd ball wicket with Will skying one to Ali at mid off who took a ballet-like one handed catch. Both their main batters out for ducks. And the skipper's on a hat-trick, which he then fluffed by bowling a horrendous wide. Finished with 4-25 though, and with young Alfie bowling very well for his 3 wickets, we skittled them out for 90-odd. Sounds an easy win, but if Del and Will had got in, it would have been a diferent story.
And well done young Willie Beagles for making his debut, playing with a stright bat, and surviving 20 balls more than his Dad. Well played youngster.
Man of the Match: Now come on be fair, when have I EVER elected myself for this? But I did get some runs, and a six, and changed the bowling at a crucial time, and got a 4-fer, and was on a hat-trick and and (oh alright then Nipples - just don't go on about it).
Champagne Moment: Now come on be fair, when have I EVER.... that 6 was worth it. Or for bowling Will for a golden duck! Take your pic chaps.
Mug of the Match: Panther - that's you mate and don't get cross. Playing for S.T.A.R.T he dropped Angus, missed running out Ali and was bowled by Alfie (aged 7). And there we were thinking he wasn't going to play again this season. Unless we're short. Just call me okay. If you're short....
Thanks to The Lucas Clan for, as ever, a great tea (but lose a point for no scones). Just sayin.
Right, I'm back in a month or so for the Sat XI but will be turning out for Andy Silksone's Sun XI in between. From what I hear he needs a bowling all rounder. God I am so heading for a fall.
With the disappointment of Chelsea failing to progress to Rome in the Champions League final, I shall bask in the quiet knowledge that actually, sort of, I played, err, okay really. And enjoyed it. Well done to one and all. See you in June. Unless you are playing on Sunday when I shall see you next week.
** Drogba TV sweary rant
*** Ballacks to the lot of you
**** Essien wonder goal
***** 4-1 at the Arsenal helps ease the pain
"Drop back for this bat" isn't something I ever thought I'd hear whilst yours truly was at the crease but it happened on Saturday after I'd hit Will Beagles, S.T.A.R.T.s skipper, for a huge six over long on and having crushed an off drive for 4 from the previous ball. Easy game batting when you get the hang of it. And there's another 3 runs glanced down to fine leg... 20-odd runs from 13 balls going in to bat with 3 and a bit overs to go? Most reasonable...
Twa's sunny and calm on Saturday as we welcomed the remants of Stapleford Tawney And Red Triangle (work out the acronym for yourselves) to The Park, skippered as ever by the genial Will Beagles. I won the toss and handed back the decision to bat or bowl to Will. Such a sporting chap am I. But Will is equally sporting and insisted we bat first on a good wicket. So we did. And made 242 in 40 overs and EVERYONE got runs; Gaz (who hasn't played for Canfield for 10 years and was visiting from France) guested and got 43 as an opener, ably assited by Ali with 32. Gus went in at 3 and got 43. Then Lee, one of three youngsters playing, got into double fugures, followed by Harry and Patrick all making a solid contribution. It was nice to see. Their opener was a bit lively but after that, we got quick runs and, at 6 an over, batting 2nd was always going to be tough.
Post tea JW and Paul opened the bowling and did very well with Paul clean bowling one of the openers (bowling from the right end Angus - take heed) and then JW getting the mightily dangerous Del out for a duck, caught at point by Harry. Then on came the Skipper with a first ball wicket (sorry Tim for playing on - but he did get me out last year with a ball that bounced about 4 times I seem to recall), then a 2nd ball wicket with Will skying one to Ali at mid off who took a ballet-like one handed catch. Both their main batters out for ducks. And the skipper's on a hat-trick, which he then fluffed by bowling a horrendous wide. Finished with 4-25 though, and with young Alfie bowling very well for his 3 wickets, we skittled them out for 90-odd. Sounds an easy win, but if Del and Will had got in, it would have been a diferent story.
And well done young Willie Beagles for making his debut, playing with a stright bat, and surviving 20 balls more than his Dad. Well played youngster.
Man of the Match: Now come on be fair, when have I EVER elected myself for this? But I did get some runs, and a six, and changed the bowling at a crucial time, and got a 4-fer, and was on a hat-trick and and (oh alright then Nipples - just don't go on about it).
Champagne Moment: Now come on be fair, when have I EVER.... that 6 was worth it. Or for bowling Will for a golden duck! Take your pic chaps.
Mug of the Match: Panther - that's you mate and don't get cross. Playing for S.T.A.R.T he dropped Angus, missed running out Ali and was bowled by Alfie (aged 7). And there we were thinking he wasn't going to play again this season. Unless we're short. Just call me okay. If you're short....
Thanks to The Lucas Clan for, as ever, a great tea (but lose a point for no scones). Just sayin.
Right, I'm back in a month or so for the Sat XI but will be turning out for Andy Silksone's Sun XI in between. From what I hear he needs a bowling all rounder. God I am so heading for a fall.
With the disappointment of Chelsea failing to progress to Rome in the Champions League final, I shall bask in the quiet knowledge that actually, sort of, I played, err, okay really. And enjoyed it. Well done to one and all. See you in June. Unless you are playing on Sunday when I shall see you next week.
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