g1_bw24apr05.htm

The sun shone on the changing face of Barry Wanderers’ ground as a new season, a new captain, a fresh challenge, an unusual lack of availability and the near death of both the captain and vice captain upon leaving Churchill’s greeted our first outing!

Not learning from my vice captaincy experience of the previous season I won the toss and having listened to the wise voices around me I decided to ignore them and have a bat as I knew the chaps were eager to get at it.

A superb opening stand of 102 from Will (nickname required – suggestions on the forum please) and John ‘Pie(ela) Factory’ Furnham saw the Casz off to a great start before Will, following on from his form at the end of last season, fell for 43 (caught) allowing Muff to re-start his careen following his gap year visiting Dough Boy Creek for spiritual guidance. Their partnership was short, if not sweet, with John departing after a fine 41 (caught) and the score on 109.

Paul (nickname required – see above) was next in and out without troubling the scorers - caught off a leading edge – 114 for 3 allowing the captain (me) to enter the affray a bit quicker than I’d imagined after our good start.

Now I may well need to re-think my deodorant as a procession of colleagues came and went without troubling the score too much. First to escape was Muff caught (another one) for 4 – 116 for 4.

I can well imagine the banter on the pavilion steps, “right I’ll have first ball who’ll have second?”, as Steve O’ acted out his well rehearsed routine at the crease only to rein act his equally successful walk back. The first baller had it! – 116 for 5.

A late addition to the line up saw an earlier than expected seasonal appearance of Bagpuss, but with the election foremost in his mind a 2nd ball duck (caught – yes another one!) allowed more electoral ponderings to continue back in the clubhouse – 117 for 6.

Foxy’s wise words of we’ve plenty of time just play out the overs seemed to melt away as another leading edge off the third ball saw his demise – 118 for 7.

Fitzy’s presence at the wicket saw a brief partnership begin and then wither as I fell (caught – leading edge) for 12 – 131 for 8.

Shagger was our only hope and didn’t disappoint with 2 not out - left stranded as Fitzy succumbed to the ninth catch of the innings for 2 – 133 all out off 38 overs.

Overs / Runs / Wickets
5 / 12 / -
10 / 29 / -
15 / 44 / -
20 / 70 / -
25 / 92 / -
30 / 113 / 2
35 / 123 / 7
38 / 132 / 8

Wickets / Score / Batsman
1 / 102 / 1 (Will)
2 / 109 / 2 (John F)
3 / 114 / 4 (Paul)
4 / 116 / 3 (Muff)
5 / 116 / 6 (Steve O’)
6 / 117 / 7 (Bagpuss)
7 / 118 / 8 (Foxy)
8 / 131 / 5 (Rich)
9 / 133 / 9 (Fitzy)

And so to tea! And the realisation of why we field first on a Sunday!

With a much smaller than anticipated target to defend we opened with Shagger and Muff returning opening spells of 4-0-18-0 and 6-1-17-0 respectively.

First change saw Paul take over from Shagger and commence a straight 8 over stint with a fine display of 8-2-23-3 (all bowled) with Fitzy taking over from Muff but drawing a blank (3-0-14-0) on a pitch which is usually normally responsive but today seemed subdued to his charm.

Next up saw Bagpuss looking for his 100th wicket and a little something to soften his batting pain (Emily’s pussy?) anyway relief was soon at hand with nos. 100 (LBW) and 101 (bowled) in good figures of 6-0-11-2.

Foxy replaced Paul and endured a marathon 7.5 over run which returned 7.5-0-34-1 (bowled) only really being hurt in the last couple of overs.

Muff ‘relieved’ Bagpuss and then finished his last two overs with tight figures of 2-0-6-0 with Dan bowling an excellent line and length in his final spell of 2-1-1-1 (bowled).

Wanderers taking the match with a four off Foxy with only 7 balls remaining.

Thanks to Andy F for fielding for us as we were one man light - foregoing his camera skills to aid the team – no 100th wicket for Bagpuss on film for the Casz 2005 video/DVD!

A close match in the end but one where, once again, we only have ourselves to blame after throwing away another good start with no middle order and not much tail.

136 for 7 off 38.5 overs

Extras
NB 1
W 5
B 11 (Steve O’)

Overs / Runs / Wickets
5 / 26 / -
10 / 44 / -
15 / 47 / 1
20 / 64 / 2
25 / 89 / 5
30 / 98 / 5
35 / 115 / 6
38 / 128 / 7

Wickets / Score / Batsman
1 / 46 / 2 (Paul)
2 / 63 / 3 (Paul)
3 / 85 / 4 (Paul)
4 / 86 / 5 (Bagpuss)
5 / 86 / 6 (Bagpuss)
6 / 106 / 7 (Foxy)
7 / 128 / 8 (Shagger)

Played 1 Won 0 Lost 1

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