Oops. We're on something of a losing streak.
Our recent toss success came to an end and we batted first in a 35 over game on a sodden pitch. But it shouldn't have been so. Alex arrived at 12.55 for a 1.30 start. The opposition had arrived for a 1pm start and were going to give it until 1.15. Alex went up to the main pavilion for the key. 'What pitch are we on?' 'The one with the covers on'. 'What covers?'.
Yep, someone or someones hadn't covered the pitch. It was wet. Shakespeare CC had no hesitation inserting us in a 35 over game. Eiran and Guy opened against a pair of accurate seamers and the latter nicked one that should've by rights flown for four but Shakepeare's skipper at slip somehow parried it up in the air and pouched the rebound. I joined Eiran and we dug in amidst lots of pitch staring. We kind of took the view that anything pitched up had to go. There was margin for error with an attacking field and the fact that it was Ferme Park and small boundaries. We got to 60ish-1 with the opening bowlers seen off. Good platform to build on...except...oh dear. SCC had bowling strength in depth - not world beating but enough to ask questions - and by heck we failed to answer them. Eiran fell lbw to on that cut back. Next over my flat footed waft got a leading edge that ballooned to cover. AndyP chased a wide one and nicked to slip. AndyG and Simon nicked behind. Enter Miles, AndyG's 11 year old son, to become the youngest ever taverner (so I believe). He was quickly off the mark with a punch behind point. Alas he fell next over - after 3 middle of the bat stout defence shots he changed his mind mid shot, went back after propping forward and the ball spun through his gate to bowl him.
Amidst the carnage Hugh - despite being late - was large and in charge at number 4. He was revelling in being the batsman that every time he got on strike the field retreated to the boundary. They were doing so on the back of a pulled 6. Hugh simply enjoyed the freedom to tickle singles, but he needed someone to stay with him. Matthias looked like that stayer, until an elegant drive off his legs was cruelly plucked inches off the turf at mid-wicket. Next up - Barrie. He drew an OOH! from both sides by smacking a full toss back over the bowlers head for 4 but calamity soon followed. An attempt to paddle the spinner round the corner saw a faint top edge which then flicked the pad then kiss the stump with all the reluctance of an awkward adolescent confronted with some maiden aunts at a family wedding.
Alex in now and Hugh played a few big shots to try and manipulate the strike. But with everyone back for him it wasn't always possible. No matter - Alex was also large and in charge and blocking for his life. The field crept closer and closer. Eventually Alex decided he had drawn them in enough and smashed one over extra cover. It really should've gone for 4, but the trajectory coupled with a wet outfield saw it plug. A third run was called. A third run wasn't completed. All out with over 4 overs left unused.
We were bowled out so quickly that tea wasn't ready. We played 9 overs before the break. A combo of AndyP, Matthias and myself kept them to 40-1, AndyP bagging an lbw 2 balls before tea.
And then it went massively wrong. Alex and I bowled after tea and were given the treatment. The opener was adept at stepping across and hooking whilst the number three hit cleanly down the ground. Runs came quickly. Eirran and Miles were introduced. How marvellous to see the Taverners fielding an 11 year old. One of the problems of being a pub side - even though we don't necessarily drink there any more - is that we don't pick up youngsters (in a good way). There is also a shortage of male offspring from the fathers of the club. Indeed, when Miles came out to bat SCC's opening bowler Tom asked me (as square leg umpire) if Miles was part of our youth set up. I found it quite difficult to explain that generally speaking pub teams don't have an under 12s team.
Roared on by all and sundry - and we even warned the batsman that the bowlers name was short for 'Miles Per Hour' - Miles bowled a tight over for 2 singles. A great over but not a game changer.
SCC - with wickets in hand and one eye on the light - finished the job rapidly. Both undefeated batsmen made 50. We didn't bat well enough to set them a pressure target and had no bowling firepower to defend 140. But you know what? With a balanced side next season we can take them down. Honestly.
DT
