Match Report
RAY WILLIS TROPHY FINAL 1991
Tuesday 13 August -v- Brook Hospital at Sutcliffe Park
Having seemingly disposed of our toughest hurdle to further Ray Willis honours, in our handsome Semi-Final victory over Greenwich Leisure, the skip was not under-estimating the Brooks well known ability to seemingly manufacture runs at will and had employed a full-time scorer to prevent repetition of last year’s farce.
Selection was made easier after Jim again found some household chore to wimp out of another final. Final or not, the importance was not lost on our time conscious players to get the game started promptly, as was seen in the casual arrival of half the side at five to six.
Batting first would always be a precedent, regardless of the condition of the pitch and Spud was relieved to call correctly. Darkie and Softy opened under instruction to accumulate a steady flow of runs allowing us a surfeit of wickets for a late slog. Instructions were followed to the letter, with singles picked up regularly and the occasional loose ball ably punished. Just when another substantive opening partnership looked on the cards, Glen got himself out the sort of flamboyant shot we have come to expect.
Darren blended his usual mix of dour defensive shots with some really dull straight bat play causing several of the crowd to reach for the Continental quilt and some bedtime cocoa.
With most of the oppo snoring in the outfield, Mark and Danglers finally came to life with a rich array of attacking shots, which culminated in two quite ridiculous sixes from Moysey. A Brook player managed to keep his eyes open long enough to catch Daz and it was left to Steve to continue the onslaught, using his portly frame to good effect. The antics of Limp, Daz and Lardy failed to detract from an innings of the utmost patience and maturity from Mark, who batted staunchly for an unbeaten 70 out of a total of 152 for 3. Cheered on by the majority of a capacity crowd, Brook found the going tough in the face of dangerously fast bowling from Moysey and the nagging line and length of Old B’stard, which had earned him a RW average of 64.50. Even as early as the eighth over some of the Young Chickens outfielders had already begun collecting seed in the well versed Victory Peck. The introduction of that fleet-footed pair-Wilsdon and Whale merely highlighted the gulf in standards between the two sides, as they systematically set about the ruthless dismantlement of The Brook middle-order. The padlock was now well and truly fitted to the cage and was only a key’s turn from being locked. Mark backed his sparkling innings with three catches and still had time to throw a ‘darkie’ after a particularly dreadful piece of fielding. Sumo somehow produced an athletic run-out albeit against a batsman who appeared to have got stuck in the Time Tunnel and Slack made every effort to put Brook back in the game, with some truly awful throwing. Each falling wicket was now greeted with the familiar Curtley celebration in mid-wicket followed by loud clucking and preening of feathers, which began to visibly niggle the oppo, much to our immense enjoyment. Crowning glory was left to Graham Roberts whose only ball in Ray Willis games yielded the last wicket and with it the trophy, Much glee followed. Copious quantities of champers were washed over anyone who got near Darkie as we went through the ritual post match photo call with the National Press. After some ritual pecking and clucking in the showers, we assembled in the Meadowside bar for the presentation. Despite the obvious elation, it was noticeable that several players took time out to give silent prayer in remembrance of Terry Stephens, before any wild celebrations could begin. Spud received the 1991 Ray Willis Trophy from none other than that enigmatic celebrity -Ray Willis and after generous applause for the gallant losers set about some serious lubrication. After a few at Meadowside a select band continued the revelry in the Bull and then wended their merry way to bed.
Pen Pictures
LIMP -Played and missed, before laying a firm base to the innings -worried about crowd disturbances in his part of the ground.
DARKIE -Considering his obvious immaturity he played the sort of innings reserved for an old pro -Man of Match!
DANGLERS -Bowled like a marauding maniac and hit two Botham style sixes that were totally ridiculous.
KONISHIKI -Practiced hitting sixes several times before he actually connected -let a bye through first ball; plays most of his cricket for Petts Wood-enough said.
SUMO –Didn’t have time to imprint his large presence on the batting but was worth eighty or ninety runs in the field.
SILLY-HAIRCUT -Took the match winning wicket then went home with his girlie -typical Halifax type!
LARDY WILSDON -The sort of bowling we have been taking for granted from this corpulent chappie -slow and short -but fortunately for us the oppo could not cope with it. RW Carreer best 3-7.
CAPTAIN MARVEL - Another superb display of leadership at one of the premier grounds on the world stage.
OLD GREY MAN - A vital ingredient in our attack, despite not taking wickets.
WARREN -Got some stick at a time when Brook were taking risks in a ,forlorn attempt to save the game.
DUCKY -Late replacement for LSC - took the role of playing like Jim far too seriously.
NEIL CLARK -First class job as scorer/photographer/cheer leader/steward for the throngs of supporters.
ASSORTED GIRLIES -Gave tremendous support, but rather too few were prepared to get their kit off for some locker-room frolics.
