Wield vs XIIth Men, Sunday 8th May
Weather – Sunny with plenty of wind, then rain
Match summary – Dougie's debut as captain and 2 wins out of 2
After our new skipper won the toss we took to the field with Wield's world famous youth academy in full flow, Jack and Sam (age 12) and the return of Lord Flasheart (age 20ish) meant the team's average was now only 55!! Not to be out done XIIth men only turned up with 10 players, so sooner than his mother wanted Harry R made his debut at Wield (age 9).
David (seniority decreed down wind) and Ken (into howling gale) opened the bowling, several very tidy overs later I dropped a screamer!!! and then clung onto a truly ferocious cover drive next over!!!
Harry who had been waiting patiently put his pads on even though he was batting at 9 and showing no faith in his new teams batting order stood at the top of the hill, bless!!!!
Harry's lack of believe got to our opposition and so began a steady stream of wickets and shoddy shots, Ken (2), David (2) and Philip (2).
In between the wickets we saw the usual shoddy dropped catches until Max dropped one that nearly landed on his head as he stood motionless as if contemplating the futility of life.
I hung onto another stunning rocket and the oppo were 70/7, Harry walked down the hill swinging his arms Botham style and the fight back was on. Taking a liking to Robin's bowling Harry swept him for a single and then informed me that he wasn't that quick!!!
With the hilarious sight of XIIth men's 6ft fast bowler kneeling down to talk to Harry between overs the partnership grew to 25 until Philip misread the script and caught Harry off Sam for 4 (Boooo).
2 wickets for Robin and XIIth men were bowled out for 118.
After another fantastic tea our skipper reads out the batting order!!!!
Lord Flasheart and myself walk down the hill slightly heavier and slightly puzzled..... Jack at 3 seems fine but Robin at 4, had Dougie been drinking?
Soon the opposition are also puzzled as Ed (after telling me he was going to bat properly) preceded to live up to his nickname!!!
Even though I got the usual moaning about my slow scoring our partnership was cruelly cut down on 70 when Ed was caught and bowled on 30 (I was on 29). I was joined by Jack and the father son partnership lasted 2 overs until Ken gave me out LBW........Grrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!
The Jack and Robin partnership proved only 1 thing, Jack looked a lot better at 3 than Robin did at 4!!!!!
After Robin missed a slow straight one!!! Jack was joined by Dougie and the game took on a surreal twist as both of them tried to farm the strike. Some classy shots from Jack and the usual mix of stunning/ridiculous shots from Dougie the target dropped below 20.
XIIth men's fast bowler had stopped giving Jack a chance and was now bowling at full pace. A square cut for 3 later and Jack finally missed a quick yorker for 10. Sam came and went before Ken joined Dougie.
As the rain finally came Dougie hoicked one to mid wicket for 6 and our winning start to the season continued.
A great game against top opposition and we can all say we were there when Harry sledged Robin!!!!!
Tony
