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And now the end is near ………….
We arrived at South Park in PLENTY of time for the start. In fact we were all there before any of the oppo turned up!! Once bitten as they say.
The lads were in good spirit's going in to the last game, all hoping Manor would win the toss and bat on this the hottest day of the cricket season. Unfortunately they won the toss and we were inserted. The pitch looked tired, as did Robin, Adam and Morgs who'd had a late one!! Imran and skipper Keith started the proceedings against the 2 Rob's. The ball did a little off the wicket and as the game went on it even swung a little too. JP raised the dreaded digit to get rid of wet weather, obviously 27 degrees not to his liking. Robin faired just a little better but fell again to the lean back cut to the slip/gully area. The Chairman was joined by Guesty who seemed confident batting on familiar territory. After a few scratchy runs the Chairman decided to get on with it as the skipper had asked for around 180 by 40 overs. Imran had the better line but was replaced by an occasional spin, drift, seam up bowler who really did offer up Bertie Bassetts all sorts. Mixed in with the jaffa's were full bungers and half trackers ripe for the plundering. Eventually Guesty went after one with all his might and looped it 15 yards to backwood square. Dazza walked out like John Wayne intent on slaying the baddies either that or the cricket kit will need enlarging for next season !!! Two's were turned in to singles as the Chairman started to suffer in the heat and with injuries galore. Eventually he succumbed to Ug's straight delivery for a hard hit 83 leaving Nobby the bunny to help lift the tempo in the final few overs before declaration. Daryl fell off the final ball for 70 and Nobby unbeaten with 19. 217-5 off 40 overs.
Tea was, again, very good.
The boys were excited to get on the field and try and bowl SPM out as quickly as they could. The Skipper opened down the hill and had a reward in the first over as Dazza held one at slip. 0-1. Dazza struggled up the incline in his 6 over spell and had to be replaced. Meanwhile the Skipper picked up another wicket, at slip, held by the Chairman (Yes held by the Chairman!!). The old demons raised their ugly heads as the Skipper spilled one at slip but the catching went on. Greg held one to his chest at long off, Morgs took a nice one in the deep and the Chairman ANOTHER low tricky chance at slip with the keeper standing up to the stumps. Adam nearly hung on to one at cow corner and one looped towards Nobby who failed to note the lack of pace on the ball and it dropped short then Greg did a rain dance or a quick 2 step to avoid dropping one that eventually landed a few yards behind him! Robin had replaced Dazza and was bowling a great line and length, once again getting no reward for his endeavour. Eventually he did take a wicket but it was Morgs, who'd replaced the spent Skipper, who took the final 2 wickets to wrap up a most convincing win. SPM 62 all out.
It is time now for the fat lady to sing ……………………………………………………..
As our Guest reporter said last week, we've had a great season and we must look forward to harder challenges to come. Well done for now to a great bunch of lads, who deserved to go up undefeated and as champions.
(Netherne join us in Div 2 and congrats to them again for chasing us all the way - well done Jono and the boys)
The Chairman