Match Report vs Celtic Hawks 26 July 2018 @ Wenvoe (Skipper and report Dan)

As the casuals were out of the cup, this was a friendly against the Hawks, a fellow Willow league team no longer in the cup chase. The start was casual, willow league rules to apply for consistency. Captain Dan wishing to lose the toss due a few late arrivals, typically won the and decided to field. Good decision. The wicket was even dry and more cracked than the last time we played at home. Dan opened up and second ball beat the bat and looked to be missing off stump by 12 inches, but no, once the ball hit the deck, it jagged back in and took off stump! Dan tried to hit the same mark against but without the same success. Goffy opened from the other end and had success in another unusual manner in his second over leaving most of the players and batsmen wondering what had happened – Goffy had decided not to bowl flat out and the batsman was always looking to play down leg, however, he took too big a step backwards and hit his wicket. Goffy finished with a maiden. Dan took a further 2 wickets in his final over and had the chance of a 3rd. 1st got the thinnest of edges and played on, the next was set up by a delivery that cut the left hander in half, then hit bat, pad stump next ball. Last ball got a nick to Winkie at slip, but was unable to cling on to the low, sharp chance. 29-4 off 8.

Now the Causals were without their usual array of slower bowlers, so Luvvers was required to bowl, as we know – he doesn’t do slow and on this wicket it also needed to be pitched up. The batsmen didn’t look too at ease with the ball flying down (can’t blame them) and there was even inference that there should have been an over the shoulder no ball. Shakey bowled the other end, and even to the naked eye you could see the ball rotating on its axis (never seen before…) , however, Shakey was not blessed with a wicket, Luvvers did get one to pitch a tad fuller and removed the leg bail to their No4. Luvvers was replaced after 3 by Richie and Shakey bowled out and was replaced by Kim. Richie got the wicket of their highest scoring batsman – bowled, the chap was heard to shout ‘oh no’ as his full swing missed the remarkably slow delivery. Kim continued his good bowling spell, going for not many but no reward. There was a plethora of run outs in the last over – not sure if it’s a record…actually no, we hold that record – and Steveo was the main man on the day (vs Cavaliers 2016). In their attempt to boost the score, there were 3 run outs, the funniest off a miss by Jesus behind the stumps and then the return throw from the bowler getting the out – the batsmen seemed to have reached the middle 3 times without actually scoring a run. The Hawks finished on 102-9 off 20.

Dan 4-0-12-3
Goffy 4-1-16-1
Luvvers 3-0-19-1
Shakey 4-0-15-0
Richie 3-0-30-1
Kim 2-0-9-0

The return inning s saw Kim and Rob open. The opening over going without a hitch, the second was not so rosy. Rob played the dab down to 3rd man and somehow the gully fielder clung on to an excellent low almost diving catch. This brought Will quickly to the crease. He and Kim put on another 30 together, before Kim was extremely lucky to be dropped by the keeper, only to be undone by another pitch assisted dismissal – hit a crack and jagged sharply in and low, removing middle stump. Luvvers joined Will and the pair played solidly and were needed aggressively putting on a partnership of 44. It was Will who was finally out caught, which was slightly concerning as the Cazh were not far off exposing their tail with 25 still required (off 8 overs).

Goffy expertly guided the first ball just outside the keepers glove for 4. Next over – disaster, Luvvers was bowled. 21 still required Rob G went out into battle. There were thankfully a few wides thrown in, but Rob was to be bowled in the 14th over and 14 runs were still required. Dan joined Goffy and started with a forward defensive. Allegedly someone commented on the sidelines that this wasn’t going to last, and they were right, next ball a bit of a wild swish and dan edged through the slip cordon. Goffy then played out a maiden, and 1st ball of the 16th over went for 5 wides. There was another edge through the slips and Dan then pitching wedged a boundary to cow and the scores were level. Goffy got the winning run and the Cazh took our seasons win/loss ratio to 50:50.

Kim 13b
Rob o 1ct
Will MW 29ct
Luvvers 20b
Goffy 6no
Rob G 1b
Dan 8no
Mark,Tim,Andy,Rich DNB
Extras 26

The few Cazh that could still walk, move or didn’t have to be home for tea ventured over to the Wenvoe arms for a few drinks and remarkably large buffet with the oppo. Nice night (if a little cold)

back