Match Report vs CBBies 21 July 2014 @ Blackweir (Skipper and report Kim)

A glorious sunny evening greeted the Casuals at Blackweir. The opponent was CBBs though it could have been a combined Willow team with at least two imports, one from Eclipse and another Cardiff Uni. All the Casuals arrived on time but unfortunately the game didn’t start on time...as there were four Willow teams due to play at Blackweir, us against CBBs and Rhiwbina against Cardiff Uni Staff. CBBs and us were at the pitch closest to the changing room (which were locked so we have to get change in the open which scared a few the joggers and cyclists) whilst Cardiff Uni had moved to another pitch. Everyone was happy...apart from one who insisted that we were on the wrong pitch and needed to swap despite the fact Cardiff Uni and Rhiwbina were already set to play and had put the stumps in on the other pitch. Annnnnyway, to get a long story short we swapped. As we approached the other pitch it was hard to distinguish where the wicket was as it was rather on the green side. After a conversation with their skipper we moved to another pitch which was vacant and had a decent strip!

So onto the cricket, skipper Kim started well by winning his first coin toss in Casuals colours and elected to bat with what on paper was a strong batting line up! Out to the middle went Tesh and Lovers (for his first game in 2014) and after a cracking boundary through the cover Lovers was soon back in the hut nibbling one to the keeper for 5. Jesus was next in as well as next out for 16 after a breezy innings with a couple of 4s and a 6 over square leg. Kim was next in and next out getting himself run out by a direct throw from our good friend Imran for 1. A pattern was emerging; a few runs then a wicket followed by a few more runs then another wicket, firstly Richie for 6 and then Osama for 9.

The Casuals were now 50-5 and desperately needed someone to stay in with Tesh who had the best seat to witness the carnage at the other end! Thankfully, the Casuals had The Cheese who along with Tesh rebuilt the innings. In fact, at times it looked like Cheese was playing on a different wicket to everyone else as he smashed a few cracking 4s and a couple of massive 6s. Then a bit a bad luck at he played on and out for a decent score of 25. Further wickets tumbled including Stu (1), Goff (1) and Mr Tickle (24). Winkie and Shakey, our last pair managed to take us to the last over but then Winkie was bowled first ball! The Casuals all out for 117 in 19.1 overs.

With a small total to defend Casuals needed some early wickets. Goff and Cheese opened the bowling and both bowled very well but with no luck. Cheese did manage to get the first wicket thanks largely to Jesus taking a spectacular catch down the leg side. Goff then accounted for the other opener with a beauty knocking back the bails in his last over. Out came their number 3 batsmen who had more lives than a cat and only one approach of playing; swing, swing and swing. Unfortunately for us he managed to swing and connect on a number of delivers and started to take the game from us. Shakey and Winkie was the next pair to bowl with Shakey taking two wickets, firstly ,their number 3 batsmen stumped and another caught superbly by Jesus diving full length forward in taking it one hand. Lovers and Stu took over from Shakey and Winkie but there were no further wickets as CBBs won by 6 wickets with an over to spare. A very good display by the Casuals in the field and with the ball to take the game to the last over but ultimately it was the batting that lost us this match!

Next, getting back to the cars! There have been many challenges for the Casuals over the years but none greater than this one, how will the Casuals get back to their cars. The reason, the gates were locked!?!?

Well, a few were successful (minus a few clothing) in climbing over the gate; a few of the skinnier Casuals managed to fit through a narrow gap between two wire bars; whilst one Casuals (I won’t name who) decided neither of the two options were to his taste and walked around!

We then headed to the Blackweir Tavern where the night got even worse! Not only did the pub not have any crisps yep, not even a single packet but the kitchen shut at 9 (we got there 9:05) and thus we couldn’t even order chips! What a disgrace! We will be boycotting that place next time we play at Blackweir!

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