[Before you read
Colins report regarding this game, I think it is time to remind
everyone that these reports are Colins subjective view of events
and, more importantly, after match explanations. Allaway]
A careful diet, plenty of rest and careful preparation are often
cited as key for sportsmen to perform at their best. So Steve
hosting his 50th birthday party on Saturday night, followed by a
retreat to the White Lion probably wasn't the ideal way to prepare
for Sunday's game against new opposition in St John Fisher.
However, it was a fabulous evening and great to see so many of the
team in attendance.
We arrived at Mapsbury Park to find a lovely setting and once the
footballers had left, we prepared to put our winning streak on the
line once more. The sunshine was a welcome sight given that last
week's match fell victim to the weather. A few changes to the side
this week, who were missing Willow and Disco (possibly saving up
for the jugs next week) and Paul Hiscock (no, that's really his
name). However, the game did see the return to the ranks of Mike
Allaway! Hair slightly shorter, and thinner, but still greasy, and
he looked resplendent in his sparkling new spikes. It was good job
Sachin wasn't playing, or else he'd have wanted to pinch them to
go with his whites.
Having lost the toss, the Wanderers were invited to bat first. And
things quickly looked grim. Westy went in the first over with one
that came back into him, and then Cashy went in the second missing
a full toss. When Olive was also bowled the Goodwill were 11-3 and
in a spot of bother. Trigger came in, looking surprisingly perky
given his chunder-filled Saturday night and looked in decent order
before getting one that kept a touch low. Although playing
all-round it didn't help his cause either.
With St John Fisher on top, a repair job was needed and it came in
the form of captain Sayers and the telepathic Das (ist guut).
Enjoying his foray up the order Das batted with composure, as did
Ollie and they both calmly knocked the ball around, enjoying the
odd late-cut and slowly the scoreboard was gradually ticking. At
30 overs, with wickets still in hand, the Goodwill tried to up the
rate somewhat but this caused the dismissals of Ollie, Das and
Tim. However, things worked out in our favour with "Unlucky" Pri
being joined at the wicket by Ronny. They cut, drove and flicked
their way to a superb partnership, in very good time, giving the
innings a much-needed boost and giving us some momentum and
acceleration just at the right time. We were helped by an injury
to one of the St John Fisher bowlers, but take nothing away from
Elfie who finished 33 not out and Darren who ended unbeaten on 29.
7 wickets fell, all of which were bowled! Which had Mike Allaway
frantically wanting to get back to his laptop to sift through the
historical stats.
So with 164 to try and defend, the Goodwill set about their task
with belief and confidence brought about by some excellent
performances over the last few weeks. It was again Elfie and
Mowgli taking the new cherry and whilst the wickets proved
elusive, the new-ball partnership again proved miserly, with just
17 runs coming from the first 10 overs. The required rate had gone
from a shade above 4 per over at the start to a smidgen below 5
an-over when the "quota boys" were given a blow. The breakthrough
did come as a result of some excellent fielding by Trigger, making
good ground to the ball and then providing an excellent return to
Gareth, who forewent his patting technique to actually throw the
ball and dislodge the bails. Ollie then brought himself on and
enjoyed the success that we needed to bring about a couple more
dismissals, including the departure of the number 4 batsman (I
think) for St John Fisher, who looked a hell of a player. It was
safe hands Darren Westwood taking the catch.
Das had come on and not bowled badly, but with the runs being
taken off him, the decision was made to throw the ball to Westy to
just bring the game back a little, and how. The weeks of not
playing, initially due to injury and then the weather, have
obviously frustrated Cat-face. He decided to unleash his fury in
spectacular fashion. His 4.4 overs saw him return figures of 5-10,
enjoy a couple keeping a shade low, some decent catching, and a
bit of a strop as Mike Allaway didn't quite judge a couple of
chances. Mike was explaining in the pub after, in some detail,
about how he couldn't judge the ball out of the clear blue sky
background, and couldn't judge how far it had been hit, and how it
was spinning, and how he wasn't sure whether to come in or go
back, and how much tea was going to be, and how he was getting to
the pub after, and how the world's economy was recovering. Either
way, he didn't catch it. [Only that
last part is true. And maybe the middle part. And some
of the first part. Damn you Correa]
With Bungle, the injured batsman coming in last, and Westy
capturing his wicket (I can't remember how, think he may have been
bowled [it was]),
it sealed another win for the Wanderers. Much to Mike Allaway's
relief that he wasn't the jinx, coming over from the USA and
costing us our good results! We were in trouble early doors
against what was the best new-ball partnership we've faced this
season. We had to repair and recover, and try and set a base for a
push/acceleration. We then fielded with great intensity,
collectively kept things tight and generally took our chances. It
was an excellent victory, but more importantly an enjoyable
fixture played in a good spirit amongst two sides that clearly
enjoy a bit of banter in lovely surroundings. Hopefully it becomes
a permanent fixture.
And so the run goes on and we look forward to Tour next week.
Three matches against completely unknown opposition, factoring in
the less-than-professional preparations with the copious amounts
of alcohol that will be drunk. However, we travel in high spirits,
with a great vibe with the club going from strength-to-strength, a
fitting way to mark the 20th season. Hopefully there are plenty
more ahead.
