WANCC [H] Match Report
I wasn't going to write a match report today... then we were 3 wickets down without scoring and I absolutely wasn't going to write one. Fortunately, our season has been too enjoyable, and this game too eventful, that I had to write something, so here goes.
We had a WANCC start. Jamie hit a beaut, but somehow their fielder took a blinder, then their bowler despatched Snooky with the kind of in-swinger that looked like it had turned a 90° corner. At the other end Warwick was unable to trouble the scorers and when Si got one away, another catch was taken... our first 4 batters all gone for a duck.
Chris and Dobbo started the first partnership and come drinks we turned our own 90° corner and were 72/5. Dobbo went on to joint-top-score on 39 (along with the extras column). Sean put in a terrific knock to hit a very quick 34. Lee smashed a series of boundaries to knock a quick 20 and Jeremy joined him with 21 too.
I decided to follow the openers and hit a WANCC forward defensive on my first ball to destroy by average and get sent back to the clubhouse quicker than Mark Wood's bowling, only to give way to Uncle Al who was not out for 7, and helped put on a 30 run last wicket stand with Jeremy. Taking us to 174 all out (with just an over to go). An incredible turnaround!
Tea, beers and BBQ. A fabulous way to spend the interval with some great cricket from the women too. A shout out to everyone who got involved! The atmosphere was absolutely brilliant, lots of families, friends and players down, a great vibe.
As we took to the field to defend our total, we most certainly had the crowd behind us.
Our closing batting duo of Uncle Al and Jeremy, opened things up.We kept it tight early doors, and then it went a bit WANCC. Uncle Al had an unusual struggle, maybe that damaged hand didn't help, but their batsman looked to capitalise.
The change came and Sean, ripe from batting like a soildier on the attack, opened up his account with a wicket... a top edge which went super high, but not very far. Jamie, ran, he ran and ran, then he dived on the astro and removed a layer of skin, the ball came out his hand. So he casually caught it with his other. 1 down, 9 to go!
Keen to get some overs under his belt before the season was out, the aforementioned Jamie took the place of (sadly absent) Will in the spin department. A tough ask, especially as Will has taken 12 wickets this season, including a 5-fer. Nevertheless, Jamie sent down some pearlers. A dot-ball opener, then a gorgeous catch in the field as Jeremy ran forwards, then backwards, turned and caught it as it appeared over his shoulder and held on like champion. Jamie followed up with a bail-clipper and, to the dismay of everyone around, a dot ball to dodge the hat-trick in a game-changing opening over. 3 down, 7 to go.
Sean kept it tight at the other end, despite some great batting from the visitors, who in all fairness had a very strong line-up.
As Jamie returned at the other end and with the visitors looking for a quick single, we snatched a run out with some positive fielding to send them 4 down, 6 to go.
As they ticked over into triple figures after 14 overs, it seemed clear we had one objective, bowl them out. Keeping this team tight and winning on runs scored wasn't an option.
Warwick 'The Wall' Hall made some great stops in the field to keep the visitors run rate down whilst having a good spell with the ball to keep the batters guessing. Some absolute jaffas in there that would have send stumps flying most days.
As the visitors ticked on, it started to look a little WANCC once more. Despite Sean grabbing a wicket at one end thanks to Chris running the distance to take it safely in the gloves, we needed a breakthrough at the other and got it as Jamie bowled a rare lose-one which was sent right down my throat at mid on to send the danger man back to the clubhouse for an early beer.
Game on.
Just 4 more needed.
The visitors pushed on a little more and as the end drew ever closer, it was 147/6 with 12 overs of the 2023 campaign to go.
Jamie returned for a second spell to ensure his WANCC batting was forgotten about. And he delivered... first with a teaser which The Wall picked out of the sky to send them 7 down, followed up immediately with a leg-side-popper which I plucked one-handed (somewhat cheekily) to send them 8 down. 2 to go.
(If the scorebook in front of me is correct... and I'm not sure it is, (it's been filled out a bit WANCC), then Jamie ended his season taking two wickets at the end of his over, meaning he's on a hat-trick when we resume in 2024).
Keen to add to this season's wicket tally, Jeremy returned at the Manor end. He popped one up and The Wall took a blinder at mid-wicket (ish) as he held on to a low take and ensured the visitors felt those nerves. 9 down. 1 to go. They needed 6 runs.
From being 0-3, it would have been someone's wild dream for us to be in this position. It required come-back batting, steady bowling, almighty fielding and a true team effort.
As the visitors snatched the last few runs to finish things off, it was clear we'd all been involved in a thriller.
The on-looking crowd seemed to enjoy every minute of it and everyone on that field did too. An incredible performance and despite not finishing it with a win, we could hold our heads up high and smile as we left that field today.
Top pick of the bowlers was Jamie with a 6-fer. Brilliant buddy!
We say goodbye to 2023. 12 months on from that win-less season, we've certainly turned things around. We've grown enormously as a team, we've all grabbed our share of bruises in the field. We've all worked hard at nets to practise and prepare. We've all got stuck in making and eating delicious teas and we've racked up 5 back to back victories and a 7 game unbeaten streak.
November 4th!
Save The Date
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Awards are coming
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We went well. Cheers.
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