SNCC 3rd XI vs Blindley Heath (author Bryan Leaver)

The year was 2021 AD and two great cricketing teams met outside the historic equestrian town of Lingfield for a match that will go down in history as being sweatier than a Priest on choir day. One team consisted of salty veterans on day release from the local care home and the other was full of youngish, hungry players fresh from school enforced isolation.
The two skippers, both sandbagging from higher division teams, completed the field walk and flipped the coin. But because I wasn’t paying attention I have no idea who won, all I know is that South Nutfield fielded first. Chucky placed his players tactically around the field like a wonky fingered chess master with the simple message of “keep it simple” and the game commenced.
Our bowlers unleashed a barrage of well chucked balls with the wickets of Ian, Gihan, Simon, Martyn, Dave and Chauhan being taken. When the oppo did manage to make contact between leather and willow our fielders were there to hold them to fast singles or we simply let Jai catch them out.
As the first innings ticked over, the salty veterans started pulling out all the tricks to ensure they got the victory. The breaks between the overs got longer with the hope that the weather would wilt our youthful energy away. It did kind of work as Keiran had no choice but to remove his backstreet boys inspired jacket for the first time this year. When they realised the weather wasn’t going to work they remembered that the youth of today are addicted to technology and deployed a drone to distract our outfielders. But alas, their energies were wasted as all they had to do was wait for Chucky to bowl and capitalize on his over generous donation of extras.
Finally, the innings was over and we had held them at 194.
Freshly hydrated, it was our turn to hit stuff and we put all our faith in the opening pair of Lee and Jai. Things started well until Lee fluffed it and walked for five. Leaving poor Jai to partner with myself in what seemed a hopeless pairing.
The inconsistency of the bowling led to some interesting balls in the overs that followed, including one spinner who almost took poor Jai’s head clean off, but he made him pay with a tasty six on the following delivery.
As the overs rolled on so did the partnerships. Jai, Toby and Charlotte all falling in quick succession despite wracking up some tasty scores in the short time they were out in the crease.
Eventually our valiant skipper walked the slow, long walk out to the middle to see if he could help us chase down this massive score that was aided by his dreadful bowling. With a single magnificent swing of his bat we had a game again.
Despite my best efforts I got dispatched by the always talking wicket keeper after apparently my toes crossed the line… Thanks for giving that one Jai.
Despite the clear emotional impact of my departure showing on Chucky’s face he bravely fought on and channelled his inner berserker of old. With 4’s & 6’s flying loosely his inner slave driver emerged forcing his new partner to run insane singles and doubles of balls that would normally be left by us meer mortals. As long as he wasn’t the one facing the danger end he didn’t think twice about throwing bodies at the wickets in his hunt for his glorious 50. Ella and Liam did their upmost to withstand this mentality but eventually made the long walk back to the shade of a near by tree.
But, in all honesty the game will go down as a complete nail biter. The team fielded amazingly with some consistent bowling and communication out on the boundaries. Combined with a fantastic batting effort from all involved brought us to within two runs of victory against a well jelled team. It was great to see the team taking it slow and batting out the overs but able to up the tempo and play super aggressive when the time required it.