Derby Delight

So it was Derby Day for the South as we took on that team from down the road.
Due to the 2nds having a friendly game Jack had his pick of all players. So he called up the big guns (Fazzy, Damo, Dylan and of course The Colonel).

So out Jack walks for the toss why he bothers no one will ever know. So Jack calls tails and obviously it lands on heads. After about half hour thinking time the team from down the road decided to bowl.

In went Smithy and Walker. The first over was a maiden. Maybe this was a sign of things to come?

No not the case as Walker and Smithy started smashing the ball all over the place. The 50 partnership came up quickly and then they kept rolling on. Smithy on 48 tried to smash the ball for 6 but the ball was falling short. Surley he would be caught nope the fielder dropped it and pushed it for 4. 50 up for Smith well batted sir. From here he started really motoring into the 70s he went. Walker brought up his 50 and as the lads brought up the 150 partnership and then Smithy was out caught for 85 (high score in league cricket for the 1s).

In come Fazzy at 3. 20 odd runs got added before Walker was out bowled. 176-2 on the board and about 15 overs left out came Jack. Surley big runs up for grabs here. Jack added a single probably off the last ball of an over. The next over Jack nicked one behind and was out for 1 and the South was 177-3 with the inferior Wigley coming in to join Fazzy we were still looking very strong. First ball and Wigs chips it to a fielder but was dropped. Next ball he drove for 4, surley he's in form now. Unfortunately not the case and Wigs was out caught for 4.

In came Billy. He could here growns from the balcony and calls for others to get padded quickly. Fazzy asked that someone just stay with him after seeing 3 partners go. Fazzy and The Colonel started the rebuilding job. The Colonel was looking nervous until the spinner came on when he hit him for 4 and then a 2 and then a big 6 to shouts of delight from the balcony. This was enough for their captain to end his bowlers 1 over spell. After seeing this Fazzy wanted to get in on the act and decided to attack the bowler from the other end. This lead to Fazzy chopping one on and out for 22. The South 215-5 with not many overs left. In came Lewy when another bowling change was made. This bowler ended up causing problems due to his variations of very wide balls, long hops and toe breaking yorkers. Lewy ended up getting a leading edge back to the bowler who looked terrified while taking the catch. Lewy out for 2 and the South 219-6. This saw Damo in at 8. Billy then dispatched the bowler for another 6 just before Damo decided to get up close and personal with the ball unfortunately he forgot his box and I think he's still feeling the effects from this today.

Another delivery to Billy saw him try to chip the infield only for the oppositions skipper to pull off a world class/simple catch. The Colonel out for 28 taking his league average to 61. DG then joined Damo who looked like he was now carrying a space hopper with him. DG played for a single which Damo couldn't make and Damo was run out for 2. Some people say it was because of the effects from the knock, however I personally feel it was due to Walker giving him his box which is like running with a third pad. The rest of the innings was left with DG trying to keep all the strike until being bowled on the last ball of the innings for 11. The South finished on 250-9 off their 40 overs.
After a lovely tea and Charlie Wainscoat showing how much of lad he is the South went out to bowl.

The team from down the road openers came out looking nervous and who wouldn't be with Smithy and lewy opening the bowling.
Lewy getting a wicket off the first over with a great catch from DG. The team from down the road 0-1 not the sort of start needed to chase 250. This however brought out the number 3 who was actually a player who could bat.

33 was then up on the board but not quickly before Lewy removed the other opener this time clean bowled.

Batsman number 3 and 4 tried to stead the ship and when their 60 come up one batsman brought up their 50. The partnership was building slowly but decently until Alfie the wonder kid decided to remove their number 4 batsman for the second week running. Top spell from the young man. Then JB was looking for a new bowler. Who would he pick. JB's words "Oi you. What's your name? Your bowling next". Not sure that's the right way to talk to someone who's been at the club since 12 years old but hey ho Dave Gentles was ready to bowl. Picking up wickets regularly from his end finishing with 3 for 49 off his 8. What else could happen. Well with Fazzy bowling from the other end and Jack keeping wickets anything was on the cards. Especially when Jack went to hurdle the fence to collect the ball only to catch his foot and fall flat on his face. Probably my favourite moment this year. Fazzy bowling the last 5 from one end started picking up wickets more regularly than he picks up fairs. 1 became 2 and then 3. Number 11 was out determined not to give South the full 30 points. It came down to the last ball where fazzy got the wicket and South the full 30 points.

The team from down the road finishing 177 all out never in with a chance of chasing the South down. Great performance and now 6 in 6 as the South sit 2nd.