Presidents Squeak Win On Batting Paradise

Saturday 30th June 2018

Only 14 Whalers players were able to attend in the end despite the email pleas.

So a 7 a side match was arranged giving each team given 2 sets of 15 over innings. Each Batsman had to retire at 30 runs but could return.

So the Presidents men wondered out to start the innings well Dean and Luke did and in a blink of an eye Dean was retired after 11 Balls, taking Particular Liking to  Nick H 2nd Over !!! In Fact any bowler conceding  10 an over giving only 5 outfielders were the NORM.  So Jack the other opener only went for 10 off his first 3 overs. . Luke soon went to a generous LBW decision to Will then 1st change bowler . Which bought ,Matt to the crease and he soon  was enjoying himself and again retired on 30 as Did Al the president. In fact this was the only wicket to fall and poor Roland didn’t even face a ball.  146 for 1 off 15 overs looked like a good score to start with

The Captains reply was led by Ed and Will with Matt “ the Chuneorer “ and Roland opening the bowling. A tight  first over from Matt restricted the Captains to just 7 run. Roland 2 overs cost only 21 runs but a sure fire LBW decision against Ed was turned down,, even Ed thought he was gone!!!! Roland had a slight revenge by taking a steepling catch deep in the outfield to get rid of Will to give Matt his wicket. Ed used his second chance to grind away to 30 giving out some good catching practice along the way . In the meantime JT was bowled by Amit, Al took a good catch off Amit to get rid off Keiran and Amit picked up his third wicket when Russell took another good catch. Some semblance of balance was bought back to the proceedings from Nick and Jack who both scored freely and even manages to finish the Captains 10 runs ahead. How did that Happen!!! I think wide balls and aggressive running told its own story.

A BBQ burger Lunch and the World Cup match interrupted the break in innings by an hour or so as did those that had a cheeky beer in the sun to cool down.

Roland and Russell opened up trying to reduce the deficit and before we were into the black, Russell was bowled by Josh and Al was bowled by JT. Matt was back in a number 4 and looked to up the tempo. He soon asked for a risky second run and Roland was given run out by a direct hit even with a grounded bat and an umpire that had hardly moved.!  So 3 Down and about 5 runs in credit looked like a crisis but back in came Amit. But he managed to retire 3 times for the same shoulder complaint and the wilting bowler soon Face Dean at the wrong end of the innings, Having again retired having reached 30 in quick time. Matt duly gave his wicket away having to face a mild run up from Nick seem to scare him. Back came Dean with Luke although Luke  was trying desperately many times to give his wicket away and Dean finished a mighty 77 not out/.  Again 161 runs were scored setting the Captains a score off 151 off 15 overs to win it.

The captains soon lost Jack to stumping behinds the wicket even though the stump bails and ball ending near silly short leg.   Al had his wicket but at cost of 23 runs, Russell was economical until his 3rd over conceding 15 runs. Amit came in first change despite the suggesting how can bowl on a poor shoulder. Answers on a postcard.!!

 But impressive hitting from Nick particularly Josh,, Same shot same result.. and then Keiran  meant that all 3 had to retire at 30.. the president’s men looked in trouble. Nevertheless In came Matt to bowl and with surprise bowler Dean.. Matt Bowled JT with a beauty that hit top of off stump and Roland’s shoulder at the same time. Dean gave Ed the run around with variance in pace and flight and Ed got an inside nick for the keeper to take a smart catch. Better fielding and  less extra runs conceding meant the presidents squeaked home by about 7 runs with Will unable to hit the required number of 4’s to give the captains a second win on the trot. All players went back to the bar to get out of the sun to finish off the BBQ leftovers and more beers.