Sunday 2s vs Christchurch
Author: Henry “I can bowl leg spin” Harvey
Match Report |
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Sunday 2s away at Christchurch Having been hit hard in the previous week’s match report for Sunday 1’s and then dropped to the 2’s, I arrived at Christchurch this past weekend with somewhat of a point to prove. Nine brave souls, out of twelve who were selected, made the trip down to Christchurch and were rewarded in spades for their efforts. The weather threatened and then gave way to a day so glorious that all 80 overs were fitted in easily, a remarkable fact considering the oppositions over rate being glacial. Onto the cricket, Beedle won the toss and bowled first. This seemed to be a shrewd option, with rain in the air and a green wicket, it was bound to hoop about and misbehave off the seam. Now the warm up was of a remarkably high standard, with Alex showing his best Stokes impression diving about all over the place. The team rehydrated with a couple of tinnies and the match began. Beedle and an extremely well travelled Callum opened up the bowling with good pace and accuracy, yet somehow Christchurch got of to a flier, despite not finding the middle ONCE in the opening ten overs. As first change Proctor and Harvey were introduced and the middle of the bat, especially off my bowling started to be found. After 14 overs Christchurch was 98-1. Not great. This is where the momentum started to change however. The captain, divinely inspired, decided that one leg spinner wasn’t enough and introduced Simon and like a latter-day Ian Salisbury and Shane Warne we started taking wickets, five of them. Who would have thought that 16 overs of leg spin would be bowled in a 40 over match and it would be a good decision? A reinvigorated Proctor came back and joined the party along with Callum who wrapped up the tail, coming off a three step run up and beating the batsmen with a stunning lack of pace. From 98-1 we had pegged them back to a slightly under par 191 all out after 38 overs. The match teas at first seemed very promising however the Dominos was apparently a home team privilege and we were given a pretty standard offering in the room opposite what looked like an absolutely delightful children’s birthday party. With lunch over, Alex and debutant Toby opened for Putney and set a beautiful platform to see off the new ball. As both started to open their shoulders and move the scoring on, a mix up saw Alex run out and trudge back. Steve came in and hit a six that sailed into the fence. At this point, Putney wobbled both players quickly fell, bringing Jack and myself to the crease. Jack played fluently and with Hogarth’s harsh words from the week before still echoing in my mind, I was determined to get a score. We shepherded the team to the drinks break with a score of 89-3. Jack fell a few overs later, to be replaced by the ringer that Christchurch provided us, Julian. The man was a pleasure to bat with, laconic in between overs, he played some lovely shots before falling. This reunited the Leg Spinning Union as Simon joined me at the crease and apart from one full-length dive our partnership was as joyous as the bowling had been. With Putney on 186 with overs to spare, I thought I would finish the match with a six, imagining fawning crowds, free beers and a 1s team that would rue the day that they didn’t pick ME, I played all round a lovely ball and was bowled. However there was never a worry as Proctor and Simon were more than able to see us over the line. We retired to the bar and enjoyed a few beers as the opposition lamented their sorrows on the balcony with some rather strange smelling cigarettes. It was a great day played in high spirits. Dotd: those who didn't make it (Peddie excluded) Motm: Myself Tfc: Steve Champagne Moment(s): Callum’s LBWs |
Date | Time | Team | Opposition | Location | Putney | Opposition | Result | Scores | Points | Toss |
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16/06/2019 | 1pm | Sunday 2nd | Christchurch | A | 192/6 | 191/8 | W | 0 |