With our esteemed skipper still tending to the manor, the task of leading the troops to battle against Borden CC fell to myself. Despite the hiccup of being a player down due to illness, it all started rather well. We pulled Paul away from his planned afternoon of drinking, won the toss and put Borden into bat.
*Early disclaimer – I haven’t got the scorebook with me so some of these figures may be a little off*
Opening with Nick and myself, we set about proving the theory you never take a wicket with a good ball. My variation went some way to demonstrate this as I picked up 3-18 off five overs and Nick, who bowled a very tidy spell finished 1-7 off six. The first change saw Dino come into to the game and the wily off spinner picked up where I left off with some interesting but successful variation. There was some off spin, some leg spin, balls that bounced twice, balls that didn’t bounce at all. You name it, he had it and his box of tricks picked up three wickets for 7 runs. Yet another example of “You never get a wicket with a good ball.” (I may be being slightly harsh, there was a good catch in the slips for one of them). At the other end Glenn ‘Robocop’ Foster started ominously, a 10-ball over first up had everyone thinking he’d lost his mojo but he managed to bring it back well to finish with a wicket from his six overs.
With wickets falling a plenty, Borden were 55/8 and on the back foot. The young and old combo of Dartsy and Walkie Talkie kept them at bay for 9-10 overs before Dartsy eventually managed to hit the stumps and leave the oppo nine wickets down. It was just before this that I was faced with a dilemma. Do I go for the jugular or let the game dawdle on for another five overs. I decided the former and brought on ex-bowler of the year and self-proclaimed legend Ruggy to mop up the tail. Two balls later and Borden were all out for 77.
Having skittled the oppo out early we had earned ourselves an extra 25 minutes of batting time. Jack and Walkie Talkie opened up the batting with only one instruction ringing in their ears “make sure you don’t get out before tea.” Unfortunately, the thought of tea must’ve been too much for young Walkie Talkie as within 10 minutes he was trudging back to the pavilion for 1. Paul was in at Number 3 and did well to see us through to the break 18-1.
It was after tea that I feared Stone was about to do what Stone does best – collapse. First Paul was out for 6, then Jack for 15 and Ruggy for 1. Special mention goes to Ruggy for one of the worst shots I’ve seen in a while –attempting a tennis-esque slam shot only for it to go 10 yards up in the air.
The nerves were quickly dispelled however as Saddam and Robocop found the boundary with comforting regularity. Robocop must’ve heard of the 6 fest last year and wanted some of the action as he sent two huge 6s towards the disabled crowd before falling for 26.
Saddam and ‘playing for his 62.05725475632 average Stumpy’ saw us home. The winning runs being hit by our former leader.
Stone finished on 80/5. Job done and well done all.
Player of the day went to Dino for his spell of 3-7 and SB went to Glenn Foster for multiple reasons. The ten-ball over and dolly of the day had him in contention but it was his loving wife jumping to his defence that sealed it for us. Unanimous vote.
– Jordan