19_BarryStrollers

With the season now into August, fortunately the weather turned and the sun made a welcome appearance. Of course, along with the sun comes the heat and we were back into the old routine - now moaning about it being 'too hot'. It could have gone 'all wrong' as the oppo were let down by 4 players who pulled out at midday, the Cazh tried to rally around and find extra players but all reserves had been used. The game went ahead regardless, fortunately those that were available for the Strollers were players that were well capable of scoring a big total.

The Strollers were put into bat, and the Cazh went out to field in the boiling conditions. Jeff 'The Clap' Clapham opened the bowling with BA at the other end. The batsman began positively and looked for runs (13 off 2overs), however it became apparent very early on that although the wicket looked lovely, the three months of rain had taken its toll and the bounce was non-existent. From the third over the batsman played with extra care (also given the shortage of players - had to protect their wickets). In the sixth over the break through came - a superb catch by Smitts behind the stumps - the batsman got a thin edge off BA and Smitts took the catch cleanly whilst standing up to the stumps. 16-1-off 6 overs.

After 8 overs (17-1) DB and Muff took on the bowling challenge. The aim of the game just to bowl straight as anything wide or too full would be smacked towards the boundary - the outfield was lightening, and the batsman more than capable making good contact. The Cazh ground fielding was very good and most potential boundaries were cut off. After 20 overs the score had 'raced' to 35-1. Muff was replaced by Shagger and DB continued to finish his 8 over stint. DB bowled an excellent line and length, with the odd quicker one thrown in for good measure.

The increased pace from Shagger provided more scoring opportunities for the batsmen, and with Smitts fully armoured up and standing up to the stumps, any 'nick' behind would reach the boundary and tended to do so each over. Shag was unlucky not to get a wicket narrowly missing the stumps on several occasions and Smitts this time was not so fortunate to hold on to another sharp catch behind. Once finished DB was replaced by Shakey who began to get a little more bounce out of the pitch (probably vibrations sent down the strip from his run up) - but he took over where DB left off and bowled very well. Shakey picked up the next wicket after 32 overs with the batsman looking to make a charge with the remaining overs, bowling the No.3 to one that didn't really bounce. 81-2-32overs. The Clap meanwhile returned and continued to be difficult to get away. Shakey took another wicket in the 34th - caught by Dewbs. 84-3. Shag returned came close to a wicket but Pikey was unable to hold a sharp chance at close cover. BA finished off the innings. 111-3-40overs (19 extras), The Strollers opener finishing on 46 not out.

The Clap - 8 overs - 0 maidens - 22 runs - 0 wickets
BA - 5-2-8-1
Muff - 5-2-6-0
DB - 8-0-17-0
Shag - 7-1-29-0
Shakey - 7-1-20-2.

Tea was a welcome relief to get out of the sun (!) in the impressive new club house at Bryn-y-don and the Cazh tucked into a plentiful tea.

After the break Shakey and Muff opened up for the Cazh. Typically the sun receded behind a very large cloud, the wind picked up and the warmth disappeared - though not so pleasant on the side lines, the two batsman and all fielders found the conditions preferable. The pair batted excellently and played some lovely shots, helped by the Strollers being 3 down in the field (an extra filer arrived at tea). Shakey was first to fall caught behind for 11. 37-1-12overs. Pikey came to the middle and lasted just one ball, being given out lbw to a low one. 37-2-12overs. Smitts joined Muff and cracked a lovely 4 before being bowled. 47-3-14overs. Richie was next in. He and Muff battled against some good bowling, though impossible to tell from the sidelines, it was swinging both ways and moving off the pitch….and sometimes once pitched getting more than 2 or 3 inches off the ground. Richie was eventually bowled for 0 even though he and Muff shared a partnership of 23! 70-4-20overs. Dewbs replaced Richie and kept the spectators guessing what his favourite shot was going to be …the forward defensive was used mostly, apart from a super and seemingly effortless cut for 4. Muff continued to look comfortable in the middle and apart from a couple of mix ups with calling edged closer to his maiden 50 for the club. It arrived in about the 24th over to a sitting/standing ovation (dependant on how cold the spectators were). 83-4. With the finishing line getting closer, Dewbs eventually fell to a 'no-bouncer' in the 28th over. 100-5. BA out to the middle. Just two balls later Muff's excellent innings came to an end just 10 short of victory - bowled for 63. Jeff joined BA to knock off the final runs, unfortunately this wasn't to happen as after scoring a 4, he too was bowled. 109-7-30overs. Shag was next in and the Cazh needed to score just 3 runs for victory. Paul hit a 2 to tie, leaving Shag to score 1 for victory, which he did with an excellent leg glance(!!!!!!!!!!) Paul finishing on 7 not out.. 112-7-31.1 overs.

A good all round display from the Cazh with both bat and ball, helped by the shortage of oppo fielders, however the wicket helped to even out the teams. Another good game played in a friendly spirit. Congratulations to Muff for holding the Cazh innings together and for his first (of many) half centuries. A welcome back into the fray to Andy F who though didn't bowl or bat due to a niggling leg injury, maintained the score book with an array of colour, plus bringing the post match pub conversation back to the level we expect - the alternative film critics guide to Adult movies!

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