Wield vs Oakley, Sunday 19th June
Weather – A bit if everything, except rain for once.
Match summary – Snatching a victory when it looked in the bag all along, with the obligatory controversial decision along the way.
The long awaited return to the Wield fortress was against, what could be described, as a youth team.
We started in the field with a new look opening bowling attack of Yorkie and Dougie, I don’t really know how to describe the pace of each of them and that probably accounted for the slow run rate as the opening batsmen ducked and weaved as the ball kept passing their ankles on a wicket that can only be described as ‘having a little give’ (no offence Robin).
After an hour they had managed to get to 21 runs at which time the bowling attack changed to Rupert and Phillip. Rupert was struggling a little to find his length whilst Phillip was bamboozling both batsmen with an exhibition of variation of line and length and quickly despatched two of them in quick succession.
There were the usual succession of dropped catches the finest of which is a toss up between watching Robin having to write his own name in his book (should have probably been on more than one occasion) or watching Yorkie leaping all of 5 inches to attempt to catch a miss-timed drive, unfortunately he jumped 3 seconds too early as it caught his finger-tips as he landed back on the ground. There were a couple of edges flashing through the slips, Robin and Aidan started their bowling spell and had good success with both netting themselves some wickets. Robin kept a very tidy line and length whilst young Aidan charged in with the wind behind him. He certainly didn’t look out of place in the team (I wish that was more of a compliment than it is but you know what I mean) in fact bowling line and length certainly got him his deserved rewards. We had obviously kept them to a low score as it was time for Johnny D (me) and Michael T to end what was a ‘relaxed but at the same time energetic’ fielding display. With a bit of loose bowling and by adding half an hour to their innings they got to a respectable 140.
Another stunning tea was had by all at 5pm.
It was decided that Michael Tanner and myself would continue their partnership but this time at the crease by opening the batting. Their two opening bowlers were eager and determined but we had the advantage of not having to chase a huge total so slow and steady was the name of the game for the opening few overs. Michael decided to go over the top on his second ball with devastating consequences, he was gone.
It was then Guy Robinson to come to the crease. With Guys youthfulness and my refusal to attempt an easy single when two runs may be a remote possibility, we managed to put on some pretty hasty runs, Guy’s bat gave up the ghost and shattered with the splinters narrowly missing the bails and I benefitted from their refusal to close a gaping hole fine down the leg side which as you know I don’t need asking twice to play that shot. I managed to get to 54 including some runs on the off-side before being caught after having a few earlier chances dropped. Matt came in to bat and by the time I got changed and back to my viewing position he had been out to a no-ball before being out lbw on the very next ball.
Dougie went in to bat and was progressing nicely and at one point it looked like he was going to deny Guy his first 50 but in the end Guy did that himself by being bowled on 44, during which time he hit his first ever Wield boundary. The rest looked straightforward, Dougie prowling at one end and Rupert at the other. They then managed to bowl some tidy overs and then controversy erupted with Dougie being given lbw by Michael with what seemed like a very large piece of bat. All expected the other team to call him back but instead there were slightly unsavoury howls of delight (please see last years match report to understand the reason behind this unWield like reaction!!!).
With 6 runs needed off 10 deliveries Yorkie promoted himself above Aidan and got it to 139 with 3 deliveries remaining. With Yorkie looking like a coiled spring at one end to try to regain the strike and Rupert looking slightly too relaxed at the other, Rupert managed to hit the middle of the bat and get the two required runs so in the end another good win for Wield.
We all walked off satisfied and just a little bit nervous of what reception might be awaiting Michael in the dressing room!
Johnny D
