Comprehensive Win Puts Seconds Back In The Mix

Keeping up the season long tradition of losing the toss, the cricketing gods were thankfully smiling down on me and with Eastwood deciding to bat first on a very green looking pitch, I returned to the changing room to a hero’s welcome after declaring to the lads that I had obviously won the toss.

With us a little nervous and low coming off the back of a disappointing defeat the previous week, we really needed to start well with the ball and as the first ball of the match from Sean sailed over square leg towards Southend Airport, there was a collective sigh from the team as we suddenly wondered whether Stimmo’s yips had spread to the rest of the team.

Luckily, Sean settled in and as every calmed down, it looked as though all of us had avoided the curse of the yips. Well, almost all of us...

Despite an early wicket, I was bowling slower than Mitchy in the nets (Hi champ, thanks for reading!) As the pace continued to drop to impossibly slow speeds, the Eastwood opener had had enough and took me for 3 massive sixes as I went for 22 runs in the 6th over.

Against the protestations of my teammates who wanted me to continue, I decided my day should probably end there and so I brought Doug on to snare the prized wicked. Sean continued well at the other end and quickly bowled the numbers 3 and 4 to leave them 60 odd for 3. Ash replaced him and the runs dried up as the spin twins bowled some tight stuff despite Ash chucking down a few pies that the nervy left-hander could only pat back.

Starved of the strike, the opener continued to heave at everything when he got the chance and he was eventually out LBW to Doug having thrown his bat at one too many...

After a quiet period, we searched for the wicket that would open up the lower order and with Whelan proving impossible to keep out the game, he pounced on the ball and had the left-hander run out leaving Ash arms aloft to the heavens in praise that he might now be able to bowl at a right-hander again.

Clarky took two wickets quickly, both looking dumbfounded as they were bowled through the gate but the lower order dug in and we struggled to strike the killer blow.

Despite being the obvious choice to bowl at 9, 10, 11, I tactically decided the only chance of getting a jug would be Whelan and thankfully, his pace proved too much for the Eastwood batsman as he took the last 2 wickets quickly to wrap the innings up sharpish and leave us 101 to chase.

With tea delayed, a hangry Sappy stomped to the wicket and aggressively carted the Eastwood bowlers all around the park in an effort to get the game done as soon as possible. At the other end, Gunnar could only watch as Sappy bludgeoned back to back meaty 4's through the legside amongst some gentle caresses down the ground. He passed 50 in no time as we went at 10 an over from overs 6-13 before eventually being bowled for 60 trying to finish it in style.

By this point, the fans were jubilant and Gunnar who had been a bystander up to this point, decided to cut loose. Free from the watchful gaze of Coach Sarah, he got in on the act with some trademark pulls and cuts as the runs continued to come with ease and all that was left was for Manno to thug a 4 down the ground and we were done.

A great, comprehensive win to get us back on track for the last couple of games and all the more impressive considering how dejected we were after last week! We are still very much in the mix for promotion and it is another massive, must win game next week against Goresbrook. Come on the boys!

Footnote

TFCs:

Stimpson - Good stinting and exquisite throwing of the ball round the field

Sprules - Despite bottling of the number 3 slot, no catches dropped = Great success!

Semi TFCs:

Waring - Good catching down the legside and helpful suggestions for the skipper

Yorke - Good stinting/eating whilst stinting. Areas for improvement - Appealing.

Mann - Good thug (Singular)

Beaney - Areas for Improvement - Immune System (Yips all to easily caught from Stimmo) and throwing back to the bowler was very poor