South dominate Christchurch in an Almighty performance

Sunday was the day, the sun shining the birds singing. And above all the birdsong was the sound of Billy “Captain Taco” Saunders still moaning about Big Dave Bowen’s questionable decision to umpire in the Ladies game instead of coming to umpire for the team he is the vice captain of.

We were away against Christchurch CC at the Wallington sports & social ground. Captain “chimmychanga” Saunders, after being told that the opposition were fielding a weak side, decided to go against what 99% of other captains would do and opted To field first.

Dylan and Gibbo opened the bowling. In gibbo’s 1st over, the batsman edged one which was snaffled at 1st slip. Only for it to be given not out. Early contender for Helmet if the week award goes to Lewy who pretty much backed up the umpires decision by saying he thought it hit his foot. Only for the batsman to say I’d definitely didn’t hit his foot....

In Dylan’s next over, the umpires decision of not out in the previous over was virtually rectified by the other umpire giving a batsman out lbw even though he basically middled the ball into his pads.

In the same over, two of the moments of the day occurred. The batsman strikes a ball to backward point where the legend John”Clive”Campbell was in Pursuit. John full frontal dived in an effort to stop the ball going over the boundary. Only to realise when he stood up that the ball had already passed the boundary line by a good 20 foot. Then, to our amazement the exact same thing happened again 2 balls later!! Prompting the umpire to put in an additional boundary marker to save John any future blushes.

The next wicket came in Dylan’s next over after the batsman got a leading edge and chipped the ball straight down JB’s throat at Mid off.
South continued the tight bowling and good fielding display but the wickets dried up for a while. With the Christchurch batsmen totalling just the 66 runs for 2 wickets at the 20 over drinks break.

Having heard that there was going to be Jerk chicken at the break. This spurred on the SNCC boys and they decided to start taking some wickets.

Chris “the Weapon” Walker and John “Clive” Campbell were the bowlers to take the next wickets. Walkers was a fine spinning (not really) delivery that clean bowled the batsman. And Johns wicket (possibly his first for SNCC??) was gifted when the batsman miscued a cut shot which looped up to Walker at cover.

Kyle and Bails were the next bowlers to strike, Kyle with a brilliant in-swinging delivery that bamboozled the batsman and trapped him lbw in front of middle stump. And Bails, bowling spin, managing to slip one through the gate and hit the stumps.
With captain Billy “Quesadilla” Saunders sensing we could wrap up the Christchurch innings he brought the openers back on.
Dylan picking up his third wicket early on in his second spell and Michael Gibbens deservingly taking the last 3 wickets within 8 deliveries. Christchurch finishing their innings on 145 all out.

Lunch was served,Jerk Chicken and Macaroni cheese- Beautiful!

Lewy and Captain Billy “Enchilada” Saunders were South’s 2 openers.

The innings started well with lewis smashing the first 2 balls for 4 and picking up a quick single off the first ball. Unfortunately for Captain Billy “re-fried Bean” Saunders his innings didn’t last long as in the next over he managed to swing too fast at a short delivery and hit the ball with the back of his bat straight to 1st slip.

An unlucky way to go and Captain Billy “Tomatillo Chilli Salsa” Saunders departed for just the 1 run.

In came Big Bobby Wigley to play only his 7th innings for the club. He started off very well hitting a lovey cover drive for 4 and picking up a 2 in his first over faced.

Lewy continued to smash the ball to the boundary until he got an unfortunate delivery that pitched half way down the pitch and didn’t get above 5 inches off the ground. Striking him on the pads in front of middle stump. Departing for 28 runs bringing his tally up to 359 runs from 5 innings this year.

In comes the big dog JB.

Both batsmen continued to keep ticking the score over. Bobby bringing up his first ever and excellent 50 in the 18th over hitting a four and a six in the same over.

The innings was wrapped up in the 21st over and south won by 8 wickets. Bobby finishing his brilliant innings on a personal high score 79 not out and JB ending up on 25 not out.

Mom was voted for by the players and a unanimous vote meant that Bobby Wigley picked up the award.

Helmet of the week was awarded to John for his early efforts at stopping the boundary’s that had already crossed the line. captain Billy “Guacamole” Saunders was disappointed this wasn’t given to Dave Bowen for his poor decision making as Vice Captain.

Next week we go again. Away to Mickleham. Please let Billy “Burrito” Saunders know if you’re available.