Not Bad For Openers

The only black cloud on a lovely day at the Field of Dreams for the visit of Caunton was above Cowlard’s head. The Skipper was his usual pre-match grumpy self with the side shorn of many regulars. For Paul Lay it was less one-brings-two and more a case of one-takes-two as his stag do accounted for Ernie and Kitch. However we were boosted by another father and son combo as Malcolm Healy made his debut alongside son Ben. The smile finally returned to AC’s face with news that star all-rounder Ball had provisionally agreed a new three year contract that only needed rubber-stamping by Donna..........

AC lost the toss and we were stuck in. With an inexperienced batting line-up it was important for Malc and Drurs to put together a strong and stable partnership, and they formed a strong coalition right from the off. The Caunton bowlers weren’t sure quite where to bowl as Drurs had his cover drive in full flow while Malc was punishing through the leg side, the pair proving harder to dislodge than Gordon Brown from no.10. The pair made an entry in Barry’s archives as the century partnership came up in the 25th over, Malc passing 50. Drurs was then felled by a straight full toss that caught him flush on the thigh. Still seeing stars the Chairman was predictably bowled next ball and limped off to the back benches with a new injury for 42.

Leggy was given his once a season outing at no.3 and exceeded expectations by making 2 before being caught.

Mr Tuckwell showed some nifty footwork at the crease and Leggy was scouring the Level 2 coaching manual in vain to find which chapter had recommended this tap-dancing approach. It later transpired that Tuck had skipped nets on Thursday evening to get some lessons from the cast of Riverdance. Predictably Mr T skipped over a straight one and was bowled for 15.

Malcolm then finally ran out of puff and received a standing ovation for a fine 79, and at 149-4 we were well placed for a late charge.

Cowlard had found a new hero in Mike Hussey and looked to copy the Aussie slogger by scoring runs only in the arc between deep mid wicket and cow corner. The Caunton skipper was soon wise to the tactic though stationing four of his men on the leg side boundary. AC changed tack and smashed a straight drive to the only fielder on the off side and ball and hand both raced to the boundary. At the other end Billy Harrison was more text book playing the shot of the day, a glorious high-elbowed drive through extra cover. Both fell in quick succession going for the slog, Cowlard for 27, Billy for 16. Healy Jnr and See-Soar played a couple of nice shots each to see us to 196-6 at the break, a fine score.

Tea was an Italian banquet prepared by Chris and mostly Ali. The signature dishes of barbabietole e sorpresa arancione and pasta con tonno were again well to the fore, but the highlight was the impressive pineapple tower decorated with fresh strawberries which scored 6.0 for both technical merit and artistic impression. Leggy made sure he was going to satisfy his appetite with a side table all of his own.

In reply we chipped away at the opposition top order taking wickets at regular intervals. The first breakthrough was a bizarre run out. Young Ben fired into the bowler’s end and Cowlard whipped off the bails with the opener at least two yards out. The ump shook his head only to see the opener sportingly running off to the pavilion declaring he was miles out. JB didn’t need to move an inch at gully to take a catch off a full toss from Leggy. Then Cowlard found a bottom edge through to Malc.

The Adonis was a bit rusty running up the hill for his first bowl of the season but soon had the no.4 slogging a catch to Billy running in off the cow corner boundary. Billy was all smiles, confessing he was “sh*tting himself” when the ball was in the air! We weren’t helped by the Chairman hobbling around in the field like Herr Flick after his earlier injury, dropping one sitter and failing to go for another when the sun was apparently in his eyes. Otherwise our fielding was sparkling led by youngsters Healy, See-Soar and Sam Niece. Though the Sticky Palmer fielding point went to Jonty Legge for a series of amazing diving stops that belied his age and the number of cakes he’s scoffed at tea.

A decent 5th wicket partnership threatened for a while, but the run rate was climbing all the while. Two wickets in an over from JB put us right on top and Billy cleverly bowled the Caunton skipper round his legs for 54 to end any hope. We couldn’t prise out the last wicket but won comfortably by 12 runs for a fine 19 points. The Adonis took 4-39, Billy 2-20 and Cowlard and Leggy a wicket each.

A great team effort in a game played in fine spirit.