Willoughby CC v Crick Lions CC – May 2021

Batting Highlights: Frazer Grant (103 retired, not out, bat & body falling apart at the crease)
Bowling Highlights (O-M-R-W): Nathan Grant (8-2-17-3), Mike Rodley (8-1-26-4)
Fielding Highlights: Dave Allen (superb catch over his “multi-coloured” shoulder)

Crick Lions travelled to Willoughby on a chilly day for the traditional season opener. Willoughby batted first on a good wicket, considering the deluge of rain that fell in the previous 36hrs. Crick’s opening bowling attack of Charlie Gibbins and Nathan Grant started well, restricting the opposition to 19 runs off the first 8 overs and taking a wicket a piece. The first bowling change brought Rocky into the attack, who settled down after a somewhat shaky start where he conceded 16 off his first over; to be fair, he did bowl 9 balls! He was joined by the newly christened (Mike) RODNEY who bowled brilliantly in his first 4 overs taking 2 wickets for only 11 runs.
Next to come into the attack were Dave Allen and Mr Unbreakable, Frazer Grant who kept up the pressure despite the Willoughby middle order batsman digging in; Nathan Grant and Charlie Gibbins were equally efficient in their second spells restricting them to 168 off their 40 overs.

As the clouds descended and the temperature dropped, the Crick opening batsmen took to the field. Rocky (6) fell in the second over after nicking one into the keeper’s gloves, briefly replaced by Dave Allen (6) before he was clean bowled, heading straight to A&E to get a little bruise looked at by some nice nurses. Mark Jones walked out to the middle and was immediately on his way back after a smart catch at slip, nice of the captain to take the pressure off his team by receiving the first golden duck of the new season, now that’s good leadership!
Frazer Grant set about the run chase on his own, unusually running 30 out of his first 50, to keep the run rate on target for a victory, his body screaming with every quick double. Steve Exton was given LBW for a duck, Pally Brooke (4) hung around for a few overs, then Pete Grant (6) joined his son at the crease with the intent of steadying the ship, which he did well before falling to another fine catch at slip.
Frazer pushed on with some big hitting, opting for mainly boundaries in his second 50, as his body fell apart like a rogue satellite re-entering the atmosphere, who knows where the parts will land! Sportingly, he opted to retire on 103 to allow the “Finishers” to complete the innings and get all the glory (and gather his limbs on the way to the boundary).
Bomber (5), Nathan Grant (2) and Charlie Gibbins (13) pushed Crick into a winning position, with TROTTER (2) scoring the winning runs with an over to spare.

A superb match again at Willoughby, with Crick getting revenge for last year’s one run defeat. An excellent knock by Frazer, backed up with some tight bowling and excellent fielding to bring the win and another good team display with everyone contributing in some way. Thanks Bobby for the Whisky Chasers!