Match Report
Tuesday 25 May -v- Belmarsh at Avery Hill Park (RAY WILLIS TROPHY)
Despite much talk of a name change, we entered this year’s tournament remaining as the Young Chickens, a narrow poll winner over the suggestions of 'Brazil' and the audacious 'Ray Willis Winners 1993'. Our first outing pitted us against the Prison Officers from the new jail at Woolwich. Spud confounded recent criticisms of his ability to deal with the laws of probability by winning the toss and had little choice but to bat, bearing in mind half his side were yet to materialise. Rhino and Chuckles made the sort of rumbustuous opening you would expect from ‘Boycs’ and Tavare and very soon half our allotted overs had elapsed, in compiling a measly twenty. D.T. and Darkie were quick to follow Chucks back to the boundary edge, each getting out to shots from the Barry Gale Farming Manual. The arrival of GT brought a boost to morale and acted as the catalyst to our run scoring, as even Steve seemed to realise that he couldn’t bat through the night to a mid-morning declaration. When their stand of 37 was broken, Spud and Limp were able to retain the impetus, with some intelligent running aided by the lofty hitting of Timmo. GT eventually fell near the close, leaving Sumo to accompany Spud to a target of 101. Belmarsh found the going equally tough, under the harsh restraint of accurate spells from the much respected Old'N'Grey and the proper bowling of Glen 'I'm really a misunderstood leg-spinner' Timms. They too had only compiled about twenty runs from the opening spell and were forced to throw caution against the remaining bowlers. That they made such a game of it was due in no small way to some of the most pitiful outfielding I have had the displeasure to witness. Very few can walk away from the game and say they were not guilty of run costing errors and it is to be hoped that necessary lessons will be learnt at this early stage, before a similar repeat would leave us out of contention. Chris (he was all we had) got the majority of the tonk, while Spud’s pin-point field settings were put in doubt by the injudicious footwear selections of CoCo Schulz. The night eventually belonged to Steve L, who roaring in attired in some fetching pink shorts, broke the resilient challenge of Belmarsh, with a four wicket haul. Mention must also go to the valiant work behind the stumps of "Simply the Best ", who conceded no byes and bagged two catches. Our intention to frequent the newly opened Bankers Draft, was kicked into touch by the invites only nature of the first night, so we contented ourselves with the familiarities of the Rising Sun. The Fines Piggy had an extra rattle at the end of the night.
