SJFCC vs Killigrew
2004-06-10. Win
By Dave Boxer
So, the 100% record continues: 9 out of 9 (if we discount the draw after last week’s rained off fixture against Garden Fields).
Result: Killigrew 96 all out from 19.1 overs, Fishers 97 for 3 from 15.5 overs.
Like most teams we play, Killigrew failed to turn up with a full team in time for kick off, and, being the kind-hearted, generous and all-round great bloke I am, I agreed to let them bat first.
This decision looked a bit dodgy after the first few overs had been bowled, as Killigrew were going along pretty nicely, and their score stood at around 30 for no loss after the first 4 or 5 overs. Adam (St. Albans colt player) and Token Totty (Jules) opened the bowling, and both bowled well with little joy, until Token had their opener caught by Ant for 6. Adam bowled quick and straight, albeit sometimes a little short, but definitely a good prospect for the future. The second wicket to fall was a bit of a laugh, as their no. 3 skied a shot straight up in the air above Andy ‘Wideload’ Harris’s head.
Normally, he would have caught it with no fuss, but in this instance Mao was on the floor after performing an inexplicable and not so dainty pirouette and ending up on his sizeable behind. Luckily, a well-timed shout of ‘Catch the bloody thing’ from yours truly sparked the pie-eating one into life and he rose to his full height of 4 feet 5 inches to nonchalantly take the catch one-handed.
Good bowling followed from Arun and Bob (1 wicket), and Pat almost tempted a couple of batsmen into hoiks to cow corner where Ant was waiting, but not quite. Gursh bowled very well, ending with impressive figures of 2 overs, 1 for 3, and Granty actually bowled OK for once in his life, only conceding 8 runs from his 2 overs.
The real inspiration came from the old head (quite literally) Sandsy though, who amazed with his haul of 3 wickets for 1 run off 1.1 overs. If ever there was proof that pie-chucking can pay dividends, then surely this was it! His wickets included a fine stumping from Mao (against a poor little 9-year-old kid who probably only left his crease as he was getting nervous about Andy standing behind him), a caught and bowled by Bobby himself, and a spectacular and utterly unnecessary diving catch by myself. Two wickets from yours truly meant that, after a slowish start, we pulled it round and managed to get them all out for 96.
Our batting was excellent, as proved by our loss of only 3 wickets. Superb opening partnership between Mark and Adam got us off on the right foot, as they put on a stand of over 50 for the first wicket. Mark hit 5 crashing 4s and Adam displayed some very nice touch-play, but unfortunately both got out for 24, 1 shy of the retiring limit. Bob came in at no. 3 and showed that he’s still got what it takes, making a very composed 18 not out, and even hit a four, which is something I don’t think he’s managed since 1967.
Mao started off well but fizzled out, lofting an attempted drive for an easy catch. All that was left was for Bob and Ant (with some mighty flashes that all missed the ball by a good 2 feet) to steer us home to victory with over 4 overs remaining
So, overall, a good display, especially batting-wise, and another good win.
Quote of the day: Adam’s sledging from slip, particularly the phrase ‘that’s it, he’s fishing now’, to which the batsman replied ‘fishing? I bloody harpooned that one!’
Man of the match: as usual, a difficult choice. Good games from Adam on his debut, Gursh, Ant, Mark for his batting and excellent catch and Andy for his opportune stumpings and ballerina impersonations, but the award has to go to Sandsy, who somehow managed to take 3 wickets from just 7 steak and kidney pies – a feat that will surely never be repeated again.
Cheers and well done,
Dave.
