Gents (and Ladies depending on how you like to be referred).
I am writing this, my second match report, fearing the worst. I have already done one and fear that for a couple of reasons I will not be able to match up to the first. Firstly Wally, who I found was the at the rough end of my jokes, was not playing. I fear the game was worse for the fact the shout 'Nice Socks' wasn't heard from the pavillion. Secondly my ears were deafened by some child who quite frankly was testing my usual calm temper. But at least with Wally not being in the team the average age dropped dramatically. He was replaced by Derek Coles, he he.. okay Petrol!!
Right, now the game. We were treated to a lovely May summer day where everyone turned up in shorts. Now it's not often I can say that. The wicket was some-what of a rareity for everyone as it was flat and you could stand on it without falling down one of the divots, Claygate please take note!!
The players were in jubliant mood after the excellent victory the week before and confidence was high, this was on show when Cheesy won the toss (wow we were on a roll!!) and chose to bat. There was some confusion as to who was exactly opening the batting but this may have had something to do with Robin's impecable timing. Sarcasm was never my strong point, basically he turned up at 1355hrs and was half naked upon entering the changing room. I'm sure this was a lovely sight for some of the women up the club, and quite possibly a few men.
So it was a similar team from last week which walked out to bat, the same opening partnership of Rob Tyers and Robin as was last week. It was a cagy start by the batsmen, although there were a few attacking strokes, two fours in one over from Rob, yes that's correct TWO fours. One was a lovely drive through the covers and the second a cut over backward point. Although I was later told that this opening bowler only had one eye, still that doesn't take away the fact these were lovely shots.
Robin was hit on the leg for a huge LBW appeal, silly mistake, the next ball sailed into the quarry for a six. He also hit another six and a few fours before being the first wicket to fall. A direct hit on the stumps from a fielder behind the wicket, a suprising result of 'out' from the umpire, but Robin had to walk for 46. I think the umpire (Daryl) was dreaming of last night's Kebab, and when they asked of 'Eat in or out?' he duly replied. Nobby then strode to the wicket to join Rob. The old saying 'one brings two' couldn't have been more apparent as Rob fell shortly after for 24. LBW, but I'm sure there was some confusion as the wicket keeper actually caught the ball.
Andy Guest came to the wicket and again started what appears to be a growing partnership that him and Nobby have, and of course both batsmen looked at the weather conditions and said 'it's very hot, dry and the outfield is quicker than we've had this season, I know, let's run lots of singles!!!'. What a pair of plums. Anyway this is what we did, combined with the odd four. It was very tiring but thoroughly enjoyable on this wicket. As the overs left were in single figures, Nobby looked at the score and decided runs were the order of the day. However this is where it fell apart a bit. He smashed, yes smashed a return catch to the bowler, who spilt it and then next over hit a six over long on. Having realised this was the way forward he was out LBW next ball for 48.
Andy fell shortly after, stumped for 41. This left Goffer and Craig at the wicket. Craig we really must do something about those black trainers, otherwise I think fines will be on their way.
Craig played some wristy shots, just like Rahul Dravid, over…. Cover!! But he was out shortly after for 8, caught at cover. Goffer, about time as he's in my fantasy team, got some runs, and he did it in style. The pinch hitter role from number five was ideal for him. He smashed a long six over mid off followed by a further four and six. The 42nd over proved to be just what we needed.
He was however joined by Andy Morgan, who ran a suicidal 'one-two, one-two' run off Daryl's bat, then followed it with another off his first ball. This certainly showed an amount of intent, and a degree of dementia. He is now known as Leroy of the american sprinter Leroy Burrell. As Daryl was smashing the ball to all parts, Morgs was… well trying, bless him. However he did manage to mishit one, I think!! A number of drops throughout the innings assisted our score.
With Morgs playing on at the end, North Holmwood set the target of 233-6 of 45 overs. Daryl got 45 not out, Morgs 12.
This is where the batting intent stopped as the Ockham players came out looking more like Geoff Boycott than Shahid Afridi. Some shots were played but I think this was due to the attacking fields rather than excellent shot making. The bowling was exceptionally hard going on this wicket.
Robin bowled first change down the hill and managed a huge in-swinger to remove the opening batsmen, only 9 to go. Morgs got one the other end and at the drinks break Ockham were 90-2. May I just add at this point I came on to bowl a few overs of spin. Although they weren't that great, I'll be big enough to admit that, the was a chance to Sav (Missed stumping) and Goffer (missed catch at point) which I felt robbed by, especially as both are in my fantasy team!!
I had to leave at the drinks break, work, but there was 20 overs left. I was informed that due to some lobbing of the ball high into the air the opposition did get reasonably close to our score, but not close enough to cause any real concern. There was another wicket for Robin and two for Goffer, but the visitors finished on 220-5, a winning draw for North Holmwood. Unbeaten so far and third in the table, I think its fair to say a good start, and certainly one to build on.