Match Report
Tuesday 9th August –v- Greenwich & Bexley Health Authority at Avery Hill Park (Ray Willis Trophy)
Still not assured of qualification for the final, it was important that we secured victory to avoid any possible mathematical hiccups. Being of importance we naturally took it seriously and turned up with eight players and on losing the toss and were asked to bat.
Opening with Gordon and Steve in a shortened over match did not seem wise as the score crawled to 16 in the first five overs, in the face of a combination of poor calling and hostile bowling. However it did build a solid base from which a decent score was obtained, through the unlikely source of Darren and latterly the big hitting of Steve L. With 99 runs to play with the game was put firmly beyond the reach of GBH through accurate and penetrating bowling. Steve L and Mark whittled out the middle order with consummate ease and brought the scoring to a virtual standstill. Once again Spud had reserved his main strike bowlers until last in an effort to prolong the match, but there comes a time when all good things have to end. Bowling out of the graveyard end Jim produced a real gem of a yorking googly to dismiss the mainstay of their innings and with the help of Chucker Morrison the remaining wickets soon followed.
Having trouble controlling emotions the Merry Band moved swiftly to the Crown to celebrate their arrival at the pinnacle of world cricket. After several pints of Beamish and numerous fruitful wins on the trivia game the skip was dropped home dreaming of winter tours to the W.Indies and the assault on the Ashes. Unfortunately Clare has other ideas! With the formality to come of Noel and his Nomads the skip has only the problem of selection for the final.
Pen Pictures
Gordon Schultz –Unusually reserved performance with the bat, concentrating heavily on the late, late cut and achieving very little.
Steve Martin - Hung around for ages doing little. Got a bit of stick from the openers but had persistence rewarded with a wicket.
Darren Moyse -Finally pulled his finger out and played for the team. Also cut out the long hops to great effect.
Neil Morrison -Yet another wicket for the Sumo man - Almost bowled a wide-less over.
Glenn Timms -Went back to perfecting his I.V.A. Richards impersonation and was out soon after. Still suffering from a sore back through a gay whipping session and was unable to bowl
Jim Clements -Thinking seriously about buying spikes after being run out by Vernon - Produced the ball of the day and has Mark to thank for his other wicket.
Mark Paine -More wickets to this remarkable chappy - Must have been watching the skip - Pottered along to improve his average.
Spud Whale -Desperately trying to arrange the final for after the honeymoon - Luck with the ball has deserted him.
Steve Lewis -Hit a big six while batting in his carpet slippers and then followed it up with an impressive spell with the ball - Taking the casual aspect of this tournament too far!