Goughy joins Sully Centurions - (author Richie)

A breezy, but dry, Sully ground was the welcome for the Casuals 'fixture bureau' Sunday game. Sully Centurions offering to afford us an additional fixture against them this season.

After losing the toss and being put to field we opened with an all out Andy attack. Hood with the top end allowing him to amble down the hill and Furnham at the channel end with the uphill struggle. Winky bowling a tight opening spell without success returning figures of 4-0-8-0 and Furnham Jnr bowling though his 8 with fine figures of 8-1-32-2 (Ct & Bwld and Ct Furnham Snr). Andy was unlucky not to take another wicket during his spell when some knob (me!) dropped one, lucky for us it wasn't an important drop as we got him some thirty overs later!

To assist Furnham Jnr at the other end for his last 4 overs Jeff C made a belated entry onto the scene this season and was unfortunate to see one put down during his first spell rewarding him with 4-0-28-0.

73 for 2 off 16

All change at the end of the 16th over with Bagpuss replacing JC at the top end and Muff coming in Andy's place (so to speak).

Both bowlers completed their full quota of 8 overs without success (Baggy 8-0-40-0 / Muff 8-1-42-0) but both equally unlucky not to be rewarded with each going very close to taking a wicket several times. Goughy cursing his luck behind the stumps when realising he had done the hard work by taking one of Mark's twiddlers only to then miss the stumping - he laughs about it now but not at the time.

155 for 2 off 32

This brought Andy H back at the top end with JC supporting from the basement to complete the final 8 overs between them - Winky finishing with figures of 4-0-36-0 (match figures 8-0-44-0) and JC 4-0-26-2 [Bwld and Stmp] (match figures 8-0-54-2). Goughy's stumping removing their number 3 batsman for a fine 137 - and I dropped him on 10 - and he didn't even thank me!

Around the 35th over Baggy broke the stand of around 140 with a bizarre slow motion run out.

Close - 222 for 5 off 40. Extras - 7 (B 1; W 1; LB 5)

Tea

With a formidable but not insurmountable total to chase Furnham Snr and Sir G set out to build a solid foundation. However, a firmer base was required after losing JF (Ct 3) in the third over [4 for 1].

Will joined Simon and both batsmen proceeded to play 'cricket' in a hitherto this season un-casual like manner, stroking the ball to all areas of the field and majestically surpassing a fifty partnership before Will was bowled for 23 [71 for 2] bringing Steve O to the crease.

Having pummelled his son in a water pistol fight prior to seizing his bat and gloves he was obviously in the right frame of mind - equally pummelling the ball to the boundary for 4 off his first ball faced (as only Steve can!).

With Simon continuing where he had left off and Steve more than holding his own another partnership blossomed and again soon passed the fifty mark and then some more before Steve finally misjudged the straight one falling for 20 [141 for 3].

Muff joined Simon and between them they talked as only they can (and indeed as they are the only ones who can understand one another) but it must have worked as they carried on where the previous two partnerships had left off. The score rattling along to 205 with both players placing the ball where they pleased before again a straight one accounted for Muff - bowled for 18 [205 for 4].

I was up next and with Goughy instructing me that we were to see it through to the finish I tried to clip one round the corner only to miss it and be plumb LBW for 2 [218 for 5].

Fitzy following me to the pavilion without scoring (caught) [219 for 6] leaving Baggy (4 not out) to accompany Sir Simon (116 not out) to the finish.

225 for 6 off 35.5 overs Extras - 39 (NB 3; B 12; W 18; LB 6)

Another exciting win over Sully Centurions with an all round contribution from the team which included a superb unbeaten 116 from SSG which Srini would have been proud of - I think a few of thought he looked VERY un-casual like during his innings - I know Baggy did!

Excellent game played in a very good spirit.

Played 11 Won 4 Lost 7 (3 cancelled)

ontheup.com

back