Match Report
Tuesday 18 June –v- Financial Times at Meridian Sports, Charlton
Still unbeaten, there was a buoyant feeling amongst our regular band of mid-weekers. All the skip’s theories of our oppo being loaded with classy players were soon dispelled as their skip gave the run down of their two previous defeats in the competition.
Our usual fluent start was provided by Darkie and Slack, who took us to 32 in a little over 4 overs, before departing in consecutive balls. Glen was first to go, victim of the little known local rule - W.B.W. - Willie before wicket, despite later claiming that it touched no skin. Mark, attempting to score six off Spud's back wall, was well caught in the deep and for a couple of overs we had to endure the rank poor antics of Grater and Morrison. From this short interlude, it was left to Steve L and Ian Browne to rebuild an innings that was looking increasingly fragile. Their response was solid, if not spectacular and reluctance to run quick singles (Steve is very slow) meant a sharp reduction in the scoring rate. Nethertheless a valuable stand of 66 took the tally to 117, a score that was confidently felt to be sufficient. Steve allowed himself the luxury of some really silly calls during the final couple of overs, which ruined Nath’s average and brought Graham ‘Ton’ Roberts firmly back to earth, before Darren ignored a third run out attempt to leave Lewy beached in mid-wicket for 48. Chasing 133, the FT made their intentions fairly clear from the outset, treating Probets and Wilsdon with the sort of respect they deserved –None. Despite wild yahoos Chris stuck to his task and was rewarded through a breathtaking catch from the skip. With 43 from the opening 7 overs, the oppo were obviously still harbouring the bizarre notion that they were capable of plucking our feathers. Illusions were soon shattered as Spud ripped out the middle order in a Botham like spell. At the other end, Danglers was trying to bowl dangerously fast and seemed to be achieving the required result, with successive batsmen looking extremely uncomfortable. The asking rate rose dramatically to around ten an over, before Glen came on to throw a late life line to the beleaguered tail enders. After seeing GT carted all over the place, the skip could still afford the luxury of an over from Warren in the knowledge that the game was well and truly locked up.
We fleeced the quiz machine until about ten o'clock and drank very reasonable Youngs bitter at a very reasonable price. The oppo seemed pleased that they had run us so close and even Darkie Paine raised a smile. 3 and 3 and the bandwagon just keeps on rolling!
Pen Pics
GT -Good to see him getting whacked about -must learn to get the front foot forward
MP -Still a certainty for RW Representative honours
SG -Wily bowling treated with gay abandon and total disregard
NM -Makes Chris Wilsdon look like Ben Johnson on barbiturates
IB -Fine debut innings - alert in the field even though he couldn’t see the ball in the gloom
SL -Second highest RW score and a welcome return to form from the big man - prevented more third world famine through seismic shock waves wiping out much of S.E. Asia, when he ran himself out.
NP -Victim of Steve Lewis - bowled better than figures suggest.
GR – Second victim of Steve Lewis – a disappointing return to the fold; his only connection with the ball being made by his face
DM -As dangerous as ever - pity he bowls like a tart on Sundays.
CW -Another Fat display - remarkable belly flop dive at long on to prevent a four -shame they ran five while he got to his feet.
SW -35th RW victim - only crossed his arms once due to some ridiculous fielding from Moyse and Timms.
