Telling Tails: Sunday vs Village Freehouse
A feast of cheese and wine, and a feast of wickets and runs. It was a good day out in Salisbury; the sun was shining, our last-minute opposition were excellent hosts and, perhaps most importantly, we won – and in style.
Things got off to a nervy start. Despite some very decent bowling from Al and Jeremy, the opposition’s openers bedded in quickly to reach 50 for no loss. We sensed a breakthrough was on the way, however, and sure enough it arrived with Jeremy following up a vicious bouncer with a delivery that steamrolled straight through the gate.
What do Chennai, Galle and Harnham Cricket Pitch all have in common? They’re all paradises for spinners. Colin, if you’re reading this could you please make our home wicket look like that? Thanks. Best regards, Will. I managed to bag myself a 5-fer, capped off by a leg side stumping by Nick – one of many excellent takes on what would normally be a very tough ground for a wicket keeper.
Sean’s turn came next. The current leader on the 2024 bowling table for a reason, Sean picked up three wickets, piling on the pressure with his metronomical bowling – even despite almost losing an entire finger earlier on in the match.
The opposition’s final total, with one wicket to spare, was 162.
Time for lunch, and what a lunch it was. Stilton, brie, jamon, salami, yum yums – not to mention the bottles of red wine and fizz to wash down such delicacies. Chris, make a note that we have to play these guys at their season sign-off every year. Top bunch of guys and girls.
Our openers, Warwick and Nick, started slow and steady. The result of a heavy lunch? Maybe, but it worked wonders. With Warwick falling to a good ball, in came Jamie. OK there was some very dodgy calling (“yes! No! Two? Yes…no, I mean YES”) but both Jamie and Nick raced towards the total, making short shrift of what was actually some very tricky bowling and hitting shots right the way around the ground.
Somewhere along the way, Nick hit the 1000-run mark for his season. Bravo Nick – not just for the runs but for the phenomenal in-play self-scoring skills. The partnership steered us comfortably over the line, with Jamie ultimately scoring a brilliant 98. Top stuff Jamie. An excellent innings to round off an impressive all-round team performance.
Let’s finish it off in style next week when we’re back at home against WANCC for the final match of the season.
[A huge thanks goes to Will as the guest writer this week, nice one!]
