SJFCC vs Lower Red Lion
2005-06-05. Win by 5 wickets By Dave Boxer
Result: Lower Red Lion, 144 for 5 from 35 overs; The Mighty Fishers, 145 for 5 from 34.2 overs.
An excellent win this, thanks to a good bowling and fielding performance and a cracking innings from Christie.
Dave won the toss and decided, as usual, to field. Walmsleyeyey made an immediate impact, having the no.2 bat caught brilliantly at mid-off by Sandsy, who dived to get out of the way but the ball followed him and he had the choice of catching it or losing all his teeth.
Christie and Walmsleyeyey were both bowling quickly and accurately but didn’t find that piece of luck needed to take another wicket. Ball after ball flew past the outside edge, but no joy. The two restricted the score to just 25-odd off the opening 12 overs, Walmsleyeyey finishing with excellent figures of 7 overs, 4 maidens, 1 for 7.
Finally, the other opener departed, thanks to a log-hop from Bullet Bateman – which he himself described as ‘pony’ – and a catch by Boxer at mid-on. The very next over, Bungle proved again that crap balls take wickets, as his leg-side full toss was played onto the stumps by the unlucky Lower Red captain, out for a duck.
Fishers looked like having them on the rack, but the no.5 and no.3 – who by this time was set and approaching his 50 – began hitting out with 10 overs to spare and did some real damage. Boxer, Walters and Bullet all went for a few, and it wasn’t until the final over that Boxer drew a mistimed shot from the no.5, that Magnet caught well in the covers. Two balls later, Boxer bowled the no.6 middle stump, and the oppo finished on 144 for 5.
After a spot of tea, Walters and Walmsleyeyey strode to the crease, and made a positive start, until the former edged one to the keeper for 4. Walmsleyey followed a few overs later after his cut shot was brilliantly held at gully. Big Malc was playing a blinder of an innings though, spraying the ball about and hitting a couple of beautiful 4s, but then chased a wide delivery and was caught at slip, thanks to another brilliant catch.
Christie and Magnet now occupied the crease, and Fishers were suddenly looking in trouble. The run-rate had slowed considerably, and Fishers found themselves needing 70 off the final 10 overs to win. Both batsmen began slowly, but picked it up just at the right time. Magnet departed for a well-earned 20, but Chrstie stuck around and began hitting out like only he can. 4 after 4 was tonked, and suddenly victory was in sight. Ably supported by a few hoiks from Hoikmaster General Milton, Chris began letting rip, and in the one but last over, he really put the knife in, hitting one lovely four, followed by a huge straight six that effectively put the game beyond doubt. Phil departed, caught for 7, and all that was left was for Bungle to knock off the remaining 3 to win with a 2 and a 1 down to fine leg.
Man of the match: Only one choice here really, Christie. Cracking spell of bowling by Walmsleyey and a good innings by Malcolm, but for his tight 7 overs and superb 60 not out, the award goes to Christie.
Injury of the match: Sandsy’s hip! Athletic diving stop from the old boy was heroic but foolhardy for somebody approaching his 90th birthday.
