Last Ball Heartache

Another beautiful day at the Field of Dreams for the visit of old friends Wilsons. Groundsman Barrie had a flat tyre en route to the ground, so the pitch was barely visible from the square as Ted lost the toss and we were put in. Fortunately the mower arrived in the nick of time to reveal a beautiful loam topped strip.

Up against a big swinging new ball, Drurs, Potty and Murali made sure that the only wagon wheels they’d be looking at were on the tea time cake plate. Drurs played for a wide half volley, only to be bowled through his legs. Top Man was told of the huge swing by his outgoing mate, but failed to listen and was bowled first ball. Potty also soon lost his stumps and at 11-3 we were in a mess, the top order again looking more brittle than a pack of Ryvita past its sell-by date.

Elliott and Son set about repairing the damage with a fine stand of 90. BJ punished anything off his legs, and there was plenty on offer, hitting 10 boundaries in a fluent 51. Father Ted was more measured, carefully reaching 25. At 100-3 we were back in the game, but the return of the left arm swinger saw them both out quickly.

The KCC Executive had placed faith in youth by offering Sheriff Hallam a three year deal: only then to see the first year completely ruled out by injury. However, this was payback time and the Sheriff anchored the lower order with a splendid 29 n/o, including the shot of the day, a glorious back foot drive down to the Scout Hut.

Cowlard was looking good until trying a suicidal run to mid on that even Linford Christie would have turned down. Young Ern’ nurdled 14 and Liam slapped a quickfire 15.

182-8 at tea was a good recovery. Tea courtesy of the Legge’s was an Italian Dream. Pasta del tonno was the highlight, although Boss Hogg provided too much detail, advising the ingredients now included more beans to help with fibre for his dodgy Jonny Giles’s.

Boosted by two platefuls of grub, Cowlard had plenty of momentum coming down the hill, and bowled another fine spell. First, a proper wicket, Top Man taking an outside edge at first slip. Potty then held an absolute stunner, one-handed, at gully; although by the time he’d dived to the ball he was almost at fly slip! A fine spell of 2-35 off 12 for AC.

Sherrif battled up the hill, and was looking desperate to be taken off, until an in-swinging Yorker made sure he completed his spell unchanged: 1-29 off 12 overs was a great return.

Liam meanwhile was battling more with the demons in his head, and needed counselling after every ball. Leggy was much happier first change, and Young Ern’ rolled back the years with a fine stumping, much to the delight of Sticky Palmer’s Barmy Army gathered at cow corner. At 120-4 the game was in the balance. Benji replaced Liam and golden-arm got a caught behind first ball.

However the Wilson’s no.3 was batting well, with a bit of luck along the way, several lofted drives dropping just short of fielders, perhaps napping in the deep. The rate was up to seven off the last six and we looked to have all bases covered with some excellent stops. 22 were needed off the last two overs, but a couple of big slogs brought it down to 10 off the last. A huge six into the Vicarage then looked to have sealed it. But the nerves set in all round: Ted dropped a steepler at mid off, Drurs missed a run out by a whisker, and the scores were tied with a ball to go. A push to mid-wicket went straight to Potty who got the ball stuck in his hand, and then almost threw the ball underarm for six overthrows!

Everyone was gutted, but a great game, played in a fine spirit.

MOM: Sheriff and BJ (shared)
MOM in running: Jean 1, Sheriff 1, BJ 1