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Sun 06 Sep 2020
Tolethorpe Park CC
Baboons
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143/9
TOLETHORPE PARK v ROPSLEY BABOONS 6th September 2020
Alan Maddison14 Sep 2020 - 01:52
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TIM RAISES HIS EYEBROWS TO BATTER AND BULLY THE TOLLIES AIDED BY A BIGGLES 4 VICTIMS SHOT DOWN IN STYLE FOR ONLY 5 RUNS CONCEDED
The early Autumn sun shone down on the green of Tolethorpe Park's cricket field in the heart of rural Rutland. Long shadows cast across the outfield by bordering trees standing before the village church, the distinctive call of buzzard and kite soaring on thermals above, echoing across the valley, set the scene that greeted the Baboons as they arrived for the last game of this strange and much shortened socially distanced season.
the Group Captain concocted a batting order ready to commence the contest on the tussocky outfield and its rather spongy square, obviously not as lovingly cared for with the same devotion as applied by Ropsley's "Men of Sward" led by Green Fingered Gilbert, head honcho and horticulturist and soon to be terror of Kings School classrooms in the term ahead.
Tenacious Telliwell and the Spy Pilot, both of whom have enjoyed successes at Tolethorpe set out to open the batting, striving to get to grips with the slow, low bouncing pitch with its intermittent poppers which would eventually cause most unsuspecting batsmen problems. the runs failed to flow easily or quickly, for that matter, and in the third over Spy Pilot was adjudged leg before wicket, to the ginger left handed Bolton, for 2, with the score registered as 3, to a ball which failed to bounce above ankle height. Now joined by Redcar Stu, Tenacious led the way forward edging the total up to 20 in the 10th over. In the 11th Redcar succumbed popping a catch to mid wicket and into Bolton's hands, and so departing for 4 without the scoreboard moving on. Tenacious left the scene in the next over, caught and bowled by the eccentric Parr, when he received a rising delivery. Stylish Tenacious gone for 10, 20 for 3 in the 12th. the Booster, looking rather solid and determined as he scampered singles like a "Go-Jetter" was now joined by the Shaded Scouser, adding 12 to the score. The Scouser smote the first 4 of the innings after surviving a dropped catch first ball, before the Booster , following Redcar's example chipped a catch to the ever waiting Bolton at mid wicket, 32 for 4, said Shankers' scoreboard.
with SammyGee as his partner, the Scouser continued to threaten to break free, in fact they both put bat to ball with aggression adding 35 to the total. In the 21st over with the score now at 67 SammyGee's innings came to a close, caught behind square for 14. Our Scouser fell to the first ball of the 24th over, caught at mid wicket by Tolethorpe's skipper, Digby, deceived by the slow bouncing projectile. A brave 24 to his credit. Two balls later Biggles joined him back on the sidelines after scooping a ball to square leg, out caught for 6 with the runs total stationary on 78. So, Courageous and the Group Captain were now at the wicket together, the coaching duo at large ready to make an impression, hopefully! 7 singles to Courageous, jogged 11 yards and walked the rest as his athletic prowess was subtely displayed, and 30 runs from the Group Captain set the tone of the partnership. The skipper smashing four of his five 4s in this period with a display of superb pulling and sweeping to leg. But sadly the adjoining singles had worn out our supporting hero, playing late on a shooter Courageous bit the dust, bowled by Bolton, his nemesis of last year when he battered our David black and blue.120 for 8 with 6 overs remaining of the allotted 40.
Meanwhile, a bearded interloper had been spotted in the shrubbery and lurking behind trees, long lens prominent, snapping all and sundry before creeping onward to his next unobserved lair. Oh, but it was only our Mikey the Spin Doc freed from playing dutied he had turn into the paparazzi to record Baboons' successes and failings.
After this short digression, its back to the real time action and the arrival of the man of mystery at the crease. The Silver Shadow had managed to avoid all sightings last season, but here he was at last, ready for action, to add 1 run to proceedings before being stumped off the bowling of the wily Digby, claiming never in his illustrious cricketing career had he ever been out in this manner!!! 123 for 9, 3 overs to go.
Shankers of Napoleonic and Maginot fame, now relieved of scoreboard accounting duties, joined his skipper for the final onslaught adding 3 runs not out in a determined fashion even trying to hog the bowling. As the innings came to a close the Group Captain finished with a stunning 4. Baboons had survived for 40 overs with our captain on 42 not out. Well done Skippy, a fine exhibition straight from the coaching manual.
After a socially distanced but sunny teatime Baboons marched out to field, resplendent in their cherry red caps, apart from one, whose much washed and boiled lid was found perched upon his head in a most chavvy manner, peak facing the rear, must be an ex-serviceman in disguise! The lid was removed as Spy Pilot opened the bowling from the river end, partnered at the pavilion quarter by the ever longer Tenacious, at least a foot taller than when this short season commenced. The pair bowled through the first 10 overs without success. it wasn't until the 14th over that a breakthrough came.
Until that point Digby and Bolton had looked immovable, both striking the loose ball fiercely. 48 had been reached with Tolethorpe well up on the Baboon's scoring rate, despite the valiant fielding efforts of the acrobatic Silver Shadow throwing himself at the ball without fear and Shankers pouncing like a panther on anything heading to point. He even out sprinted Courageous to chase a boundary headed ball comfortably and his return throw was wonderful, obviously been building up the biceps in lock-down as well as his moobs!
Biggles, goggles raised, into his second over of flighty floatiness produced a wicket maiden, deceiving Bolton into false security. The batsman sent the ball skywards towards the mid wicket boundary and the churchyard beyond. There lurking non-challantly under the trees stood our Tenacious, the catch was taken with consummate ease and a big grin.Bolton caught son bowled dad for 19!
Not to be outdone, Courageous joined in on the act next over, another wicket maiden. Digby had gone, leg before wicket off the last ball of the over, completely foxed by our tricky Green Fingered Gardener for 18, 48 for 2.
Back to Biggles, first ball, caught and bowled for 0, number 3 was heading back head down trudging off the field as the surprised and ecstatic bowler first juggled and the shrieked with squealing delight, much to the amusement of his compatriots, especially the younger generation, 48 for 3.
Over to Courageous, ever to be in the thick of things, who responded in the same way, first ball in the following over he bowled his victim with a cunningly flighted delivery, another duck, another batsman gone, 49 for 4.
And so it went on, Biggles responding to the challenge, a double wicket maiden. The Group Captain snatched the Tolethorpe number 4's airy shot for the first of the pair and Courageous wrapped his mitts around the ball to bring about the 6th wicket. Biggles finished his stint with the impressive figures of 4 wickets for only 5 runs!
Courageous picked up his third victim and a wicket maiden in his final over with a first ball diving catch close in from an airbourne Group Captain to close on 3 wickets at the expense of 9 runs and 51 for 7.
In six overs the baboons had wreaked havoc with 7 wickets at a cost of 3 runs, superb, applauded by the travelling support of the Judge on scoring duty, snapper Mikey and the loyal Helliwelliness Charlotte.
The Shaded Scouser now removed his cap and shades, passing them to Booster, the Go-Jetter, to aid his vision gazing into the sinking evening sun, to begin his spell with a maiden.
At the other end the Group Captain removed his cap too, eyebrows bushing over to shield him from the glare, Two wickets in a first over, removing the frustrating Parr for 3 runs, destroying his stumps and the next ball doing the same to number 10. But alas, a touch of KFC, he chickened out of the hat-trick and earned a fine.
The Scouser finished his overs for 10 runs conceded leaving the Group Captain to end proceedings and inflict defeat upon the Tollies with the first ball of his fourth over, the Go-Jetting Booster scooping up the catch off his laces with lightening reactions.
Well done Skippy, 42 not out and then 3 wickets for 7 runs, a hero in the making, despite the leg wax earlier in the season!
Down to the Crown to celebrate and find that the bar staffs' accounting was more tricky than the Tollies cricketing efforts on the day.
A fine end to the season.
There will follow a report on Roy's last game after the hols.
Catch you later!
the Group Captain concocted a batting order ready to commence the contest on the tussocky outfield and its rather spongy square, obviously not as lovingly cared for with the same devotion as applied by Ropsley's "Men of Sward" led by Green Fingered Gilbert, head honcho and horticulturist and soon to be terror of Kings School classrooms in the term ahead.
Tenacious Telliwell and the Spy Pilot, both of whom have enjoyed successes at Tolethorpe set out to open the batting, striving to get to grips with the slow, low bouncing pitch with its intermittent poppers which would eventually cause most unsuspecting batsmen problems. the runs failed to flow easily or quickly, for that matter, and in the third over Spy Pilot was adjudged leg before wicket, to the ginger left handed Bolton, for 2, with the score registered as 3, to a ball which failed to bounce above ankle height. Now joined by Redcar Stu, Tenacious led the way forward edging the total up to 20 in the 10th over. In the 11th Redcar succumbed popping a catch to mid wicket and into Bolton's hands, and so departing for 4 without the scoreboard moving on. Tenacious left the scene in the next over, caught and bowled by the eccentric Parr, when he received a rising delivery. Stylish Tenacious gone for 10, 20 for 3 in the 12th. the Booster, looking rather solid and determined as he scampered singles like a "Go-Jetter" was now joined by the Shaded Scouser, adding 12 to the score. The Scouser smote the first 4 of the innings after surviving a dropped catch first ball, before the Booster , following Redcar's example chipped a catch to the ever waiting Bolton at mid wicket, 32 for 4, said Shankers' scoreboard.
with SammyGee as his partner, the Scouser continued to threaten to break free, in fact they both put bat to ball with aggression adding 35 to the total. In the 21st over with the score now at 67 SammyGee's innings came to a close, caught behind square for 14. Our Scouser fell to the first ball of the 24th over, caught at mid wicket by Tolethorpe's skipper, Digby, deceived by the slow bouncing projectile. A brave 24 to his credit. Two balls later Biggles joined him back on the sidelines after scooping a ball to square leg, out caught for 6 with the runs total stationary on 78. So, Courageous and the Group Captain were now at the wicket together, the coaching duo at large ready to make an impression, hopefully! 7 singles to Courageous, jogged 11 yards and walked the rest as his athletic prowess was subtely displayed, and 30 runs from the Group Captain set the tone of the partnership. The skipper smashing four of his five 4s in this period with a display of superb pulling and sweeping to leg. But sadly the adjoining singles had worn out our supporting hero, playing late on a shooter Courageous bit the dust, bowled by Bolton, his nemesis of last year when he battered our David black and blue.120 for 8 with 6 overs remaining of the allotted 40.
Meanwhile, a bearded interloper had been spotted in the shrubbery and lurking behind trees, long lens prominent, snapping all and sundry before creeping onward to his next unobserved lair. Oh, but it was only our Mikey the Spin Doc freed from playing dutied he had turn into the paparazzi to record Baboons' successes and failings.
After this short digression, its back to the real time action and the arrival of the man of mystery at the crease. The Silver Shadow had managed to avoid all sightings last season, but here he was at last, ready for action, to add 1 run to proceedings before being stumped off the bowling of the wily Digby, claiming never in his illustrious cricketing career had he ever been out in this manner!!! 123 for 9, 3 overs to go.
Shankers of Napoleonic and Maginot fame, now relieved of scoreboard accounting duties, joined his skipper for the final onslaught adding 3 runs not out in a determined fashion even trying to hog the bowling. As the innings came to a close the Group Captain finished with a stunning 4. Baboons had survived for 40 overs with our captain on 42 not out. Well done Skippy, a fine exhibition straight from the coaching manual.
After a socially distanced but sunny teatime Baboons marched out to field, resplendent in their cherry red caps, apart from one, whose much washed and boiled lid was found perched upon his head in a most chavvy manner, peak facing the rear, must be an ex-serviceman in disguise! The lid was removed as Spy Pilot opened the bowling from the river end, partnered at the pavilion quarter by the ever longer Tenacious, at least a foot taller than when this short season commenced. The pair bowled through the first 10 overs without success. it wasn't until the 14th over that a breakthrough came.
Until that point Digby and Bolton had looked immovable, both striking the loose ball fiercely. 48 had been reached with Tolethorpe well up on the Baboon's scoring rate, despite the valiant fielding efforts of the acrobatic Silver Shadow throwing himself at the ball without fear and Shankers pouncing like a panther on anything heading to point. He even out sprinted Courageous to chase a boundary headed ball comfortably and his return throw was wonderful, obviously been building up the biceps in lock-down as well as his moobs!
Biggles, goggles raised, into his second over of flighty floatiness produced a wicket maiden, deceiving Bolton into false security. The batsman sent the ball skywards towards the mid wicket boundary and the churchyard beyond. There lurking non-challantly under the trees stood our Tenacious, the catch was taken with consummate ease and a big grin.Bolton caught son bowled dad for 19!
Not to be outdone, Courageous joined in on the act next over, another wicket maiden. Digby had gone, leg before wicket off the last ball of the over, completely foxed by our tricky Green Fingered Gardener for 18, 48 for 2.
Back to Biggles, first ball, caught and bowled for 0, number 3 was heading back head down trudging off the field as the surprised and ecstatic bowler first juggled and the shrieked with squealing delight, much to the amusement of his compatriots, especially the younger generation, 48 for 3.
Over to Courageous, ever to be in the thick of things, who responded in the same way, first ball in the following over he bowled his victim with a cunningly flighted delivery, another duck, another batsman gone, 49 for 4.
And so it went on, Biggles responding to the challenge, a double wicket maiden. The Group Captain snatched the Tolethorpe number 4's airy shot for the first of the pair and Courageous wrapped his mitts around the ball to bring about the 6th wicket. Biggles finished his stint with the impressive figures of 4 wickets for only 5 runs!
Courageous picked up his third victim and a wicket maiden in his final over with a first ball diving catch close in from an airbourne Group Captain to close on 3 wickets at the expense of 9 runs and 51 for 7.
In six overs the baboons had wreaked havoc with 7 wickets at a cost of 3 runs, superb, applauded by the travelling support of the Judge on scoring duty, snapper Mikey and the loyal Helliwelliness Charlotte.
The Shaded Scouser now removed his cap and shades, passing them to Booster, the Go-Jetter, to aid his vision gazing into the sinking evening sun, to begin his spell with a maiden.
At the other end the Group Captain removed his cap too, eyebrows bushing over to shield him from the glare, Two wickets in a first over, removing the frustrating Parr for 3 runs, destroying his stumps and the next ball doing the same to number 10. But alas, a touch of KFC, he chickened out of the hat-trick and earned a fine.
The Scouser finished his overs for 10 runs conceded leaving the Group Captain to end proceedings and inflict defeat upon the Tollies with the first ball of his fourth over, the Go-Jetting Booster scooping up the catch off his laces with lightening reactions.
Well done Skippy, 42 not out and then 3 wickets for 7 runs, a hero in the making, despite the leg wax earlier in the season!
Down to the Crown to celebrate and find that the bar staffs' accounting was more tricky than the Tollies cricketing efforts on the day.
A fine end to the season.
There will follow a report on Roy's last game after the hols.
Catch you later!
Further reading