The 1s wagon rumbles on

Buoyed by the return of ‘club legend’ Eddie Bartlett, Captain Jack once again lost the toss and were rather surprisingly asked to field by Old Woking CC. Smithy extracted rarely seen life out of the pitch early on, setting demons in the batsmen’s mind. At the other end, a rejuvenated Jason Gentles, free from the shackles of fatherhood, rolled back the years, and the grey hair to bowl a tight first few overs, giving nothing away. After a solid start with the openers adding 36, wickets started to fall. Smithy, having sewed some demons clean bowling the opener, followed by a smart catch from captain jack off the silver fox. Number 3 was quick to depart, clearly having played at Perth recently decided to pull a full length ball from Smithy that crashed into off stump.

Pressure was maintained when ‘young gun’ Wainscoat came on to bowl. A tight opening led to a loose shot from their leading run scorer, smartly sniffled by walker at cover. After a tight spell of 1 for 5 off 8 overs with an incredible 6 maidens, pressure was building; could this be the moment to raise the run rate with Gentles senior coming on to bowl? Shackles were released with a glorious 6 over square leg. With his dander up, the batsmen tried to repeat the dose, however like many before, was one shot too many and an ugly shot later, was smartly caught by ‘young gun’ Wainscoat. With his dander up, Gentles Senior came into bowl. The batsmen, clearly having been instructed that 300 was par tried to clear the boundary, only spooning a high catch to Smithy. Up came the new bat like a gun slinger in the Wild West. Clearly the fall of 2 wickets in 2 balls had increased the par score! With an attacking field and tension building Gentles senior trundled in and deliver a slow straight ball which was swiped like a fat kid in a pie shop. Terror suddenly appeared on Wigleys face with the realisation that ball was airward. Safely nuzzled incredible scenes followed with a rare hat trick taken! The next ball was safely dealt with with the number 10 batsmen already bemoaning that his journey would be longer than their innings! Wigley then joined the fun with a sharply turning ball catching the edge of their skipper and smartly sniffled by captain Jack. This was followed by a wonderful arm ball that his number 10 plumb in front. The last wicket partnership started with a flourish with their number 10 hitting a lovely off drive for 4. Could 300 still be on? Shortly after, Gentles senior moved like a salmon in breeding season to extend the short and stubby left arm to pouch a firm on drive off his bowling. All out for 58, spirits were high as smithy and Walker opened proceedings knocking off 20% off the runs in 3 balls. In good old SNCC style, closing out was not so easy, firstly smithy playing on having been dropped the previous ball. Shortly after Walker tries to finish it only to be smartly caught at mid on. Up steps Captain Jack who’s eyes light up only to spoon the first ball to square leg. Up comes the Club Legend. Was the script written? Clearly not, bowled 4th ball! Next in was anyone not having purchased a celebratory drink, Darren, the prowler England steadied the ship so Samir ‘the finisher’ hit the winning boundary.

Best performance in years they all said, finished by 3.30. Great performance all round with a massive shout out to all the team and especially Mark ‘ the shiner’ who works the ball so hard throughout and Darren for patrolling the covers with great menace!