After last week’s disappointment of a close-but-no-cigar defeat, as well as it being the last game of the truncated 2020 season, the big question was whether we happy Stoners would be able to end things on a high. There was a lot of chat activity ahead of proceedings, as player availability and team selection to-ed and fro-ed like a prop between the two Chuckle Brothers (before one of them passed beyond the mortal veil). There were harsh words exchanged and volunteers sought, with the result that we fielded a slightly below-strength side of 10 to face the visiting Tonbridge Foresters early on Saturday afternoon. Given the state of the weather, the two skippers agree to a shorter timed game (two hours per side) to ensure that we can get things done before the rain forecast arrives.
Things started in a reasonably promising fashion, as Ross won the toss and inserted the oppo to bat and we set about taking some early wickets. A smart piece of fielding from [insert your own name here if you were playing] led to the run-out of their opening bat and Rich Pusey then bowled his typically effective line & length to remove their number 3, leaving them at 12-2 in at the end of the fourth over. However, the limits of our available bowling options and the determination of their number 2 and 4 led to a stand of 64, before Toxic brings one back into the pads of the senior Wellard in their side and gets him out lbw for a canny 27. Their number 5 picks up the baton and they continue as before, with a stand of 42. The skipper is seeking a breakthrough and turns pleadingly (or thinking “fuck it”) to the often-overlooked, underrated, long-suffering (etc, etc) Keenan to turn his arm over. This masterstroke certainly has an impact – the batsmen look as uncertain as the bowler when the ball leaves his hand and this leads to caution, then mistakes! Hitting out at a wide-ish (i.e. crap) ball, their number 5 chops on to his stumps, departing for 28, leaving the score at 118-4. In my next over, I induce their very well-set other opener to edge an attempted drive to Ross for 40 and they are now 127-5. I can’t conjure anything more and the only other wicket to fall goes to Walkie, with Tonbridge ending on 164 for 6 in their allotted overs.
Our batting line-up is not one for the ages, it must be said, since we are missing several stalwarts of the top order, either through injury or prior commitments. However there is plenty of experience in our opening pair, Stumpy and Rich Pusey, albeit rather more suited to a defensive action than launching into an aggressive run-chase. The first six overs yield four maidens and just seven runs (including an extra), before Rich is pinned lbw for an 18-ball duck. Stumpy lasts another few overs before being clean-bowled for 7 – we are then 13/2 from 11 overs. What follows is a familiar procession of intent on the boundary line followed by failure in the middle as Toxic (7), Skip (1) and Walkie (0) don’t provide much cause for hope. However, having endured a rotten run with the bat, Gracie is up for a fight and plugs away diligently for a very welcome 28 (from 58 balls, 4 x 4s) to shore things up, aided and abetted by the efforts of Gav (5 from 19) and then Ed (2 from 29). Gracie’s resistance is ended midway through the 28th over by the pick of their bowlers, Hasan (7-4-4-3), with the score on 60/7, and Ed then goes a few overs later with the score on 64/8 and two overs remaining. No cause for panic – young Will Jessup and I dead-bat absolutely everything, seeing us safely to the draw in the end. Tonbridge will have been disappointed not to snaffle either of us, as we were in the Hunton game last week, but it means that honours are shared and everyone is happy with a decent game with which to end the season.
I didn’t make a note of the awards, so I’m relying on my memory (filtered through the post-game pub session), but I think that Gracie got the Big Pat for his batting efforts. The Golden Curler may not have been awarded, or it might have gone to Walkie for batting like a tube – it’s anyone’s guess…
Suffice it to say, in a summer when it looked initially as if we wouldn’t be able to play any cricket at all, I think I can say on behalf of everyone that it has been a genuine pleasure to get in as many games as we did and to see some great performances from players old and new as well. All being well, we will be able to return to something approaching normality for the 2021 season.
– Paul