Gone and forgotten

A timely break in the weather allowed the stiffs make the short journey to Wilsons. A couple of late call off’s for the Stiffs meant that Dougie, Emmer-Dale, and Dave G were able to be drafted in as the 1st’s match at the FOD was cancelled on Friday.

The Wilsons pitch, awful at the best of times, resembled rolled mud, but soon dried out in the sun and fresh breeze floating across the ‘picturesque’ Wilsons ground (few will shed a tear when the bulldozers finally move in at the end of this season). The outfield was very long, and meant that 4’s all along the ground would prove to be a near impossibility.

The Millers had Butch behind the stumps for his first league game of the season; it was good to see him back in the fold. Dave G has taken to keeping chickens rather than keeping wicket. Apparently his new two Bantams will lay 300 eggs per year each, so be on the look out for egg & cress sarnies all round when it’s his turn for teas.

Sheriff and Liam opened the bowling for the Millers, and kept runs to a premium on the dodgy track. Liam in particular bowled great line & length, and was shaping the ball nicely back into the right handed batsmen. His 4-16 spell off 10 overs, including 2 wickets in 3 balls, was the highlight of the day for the visiting side.

Leggy twice offered his advice to skipper Ted to change fielding positions, and both times the ball went exactly to where the fielder had been originally, leaving Boom Boom with head in hands. Needless to say the third time advice was offered, Ted gave Leggy short shrift.

Emmer and Leggy replaced the opening bowlers, with Dale tying up one end with an accurate but luckless 9 over spell. At the other end Leggy (refusing to shine the ball, much to the annoyance of his bowling partner) took 3 wickets with rank long hops. One of these saw Emmer produce the catch of the season so far, diving full length to his left, catching the ball one handed. Dave G took another good chance over his head at deep mid on.

The Wilsons batsmen were struggling to post a score and 3 batsmen committed suicide, each running themselves out with Potty, Liam and Doug all keeping their heads at the vital moment.

Throughout the innings the Millers were wondering if the rules were different Down Under as Doug seemed to have a mild case of LBW tourettes, shouting an appeal every time the ball hit the batmen’s pads.

At 129 all out at tea the Millers new it wouldn’t be easy, but were relatively confident of having the batsmen to knock off the runs. Tea was non-existent, leaving the Millers to fetch their own snap.

Lee Potts and Dave G opened up. Runs were again hard to come by and Dave was caught for 8 after trying to force the pace after a dozen overs.

Dougie looking for some runs, managed to get 25 under his belt, and rode his luck with 2 easy chances being dropped. Shot of the day was his flat bat straight six bludgeoned off the new bowlers half-track loosener. His fall saw Emmer come to the wicket, and could have had a golden with an in-swinging yorker finding the top of his size 10’s. Fortunately the decision was not out, and he and Potty kept the scoreboard slowly ticking. Potty, back from holiday (apparently football in pool didn’t go down too well with the locals), eventually got frustrated and was bowled after playing very well for his 22.

After that a succession of batsmen were out either bowled or caught trying to increase the run rate. Eventually 28 were required with 4 wickets left going into the final 5 overs. But boundaries were still hard to come by, and 12 was required off the final over with 1 wicket remaining. With 10 needed off the last ball and Leggy the last man facing, Chris played a textbook forward defence back to the bowler to deny Wilsons an extra point.


MOM Liam Elliott

MOM in running: Jean 1, Potty 1, BJ 1, Sheriff 2, Murali 1, Dangerous 1, Drurs 1, Wensley 1, Liam 1