Whalers CC won by
76runs
For the second consecutive weekend, the Whalers were in for
the long walk out to the fabled Pitch D at CSSG, and once again emerged with an
impressive victory. It was the first proper day of summer, the kind of a day
where a towelling headband would be both practically useful and a desirable
fashion accessory. A good day to win the toss as well which Dan duly did and
asked West XI to run off their hangovers from their skippers 40th
birthday party with a 40 over stint in the field.
With strict instructions from the captain to avoid the
recent 30-5 debacles Al and Oz commenced steadily against the West XI attack,
defying recent form to pass 30, and then 50 without loss. The West change
bowlers proved very difficult to get away and the pressure built on the Whalers
a little as the runs dried up. Despite the limited amount of runs, including
some usual comedy ‘calling’, trouble struck with Oz cramping up in the heat and
Ben was called from sunbathing duties to act as a runner.
With West bringing on spin bowlers from both ends, Oz
decided to take the attack to the opposition while he could still stand up and
was rewarded with a run of boundaries, including 15 off one over. Going for one
shot too many he was smartly stumped by West’s excellent keeper for 51 having
helped add 95 for the first wicket. There followed a flurry of wickets as Simon
was bowled for 8, Ben was stumped for a quacker and
Ollie edged one behind for 5. Dario marked his return to the team after the
conclusion of his student days (although still sporting a beard) with a duck
and West’s slow bowlers had taken 5 wickets between them leaving the Whalers on
126-5 at 30 overs.
With Al having passed 50 by this point, Stu
entered the fray and managed to carry on where he had left off on the previous
week. Al finally fell for 69, also stumped and it was left to cameos from Matt
(6) and a one ball nought not out from Gilo to
support Stu in the Whalers quest for 200. They fell
just two short finishing on 198-7 off 40 overs with Stu getting 51*, not even noticed by the scorers until the
innings was completed. With the pitch playing some tricks and a big outfield it
looked a competitive score.
A major crisis was averted at tea when it looked like the
caterers had forgotten cakes, but fortunately this was averted after a swift
intervention from the captain to provide the usual array of walnut and fruit
cake. And so the Whalers set out to defend their total with Dan and Clippy opening the bowling. Dan was successful in his first
over as he trapped one opener leg before. Clippy
determined not to miss out duly bowled a rank long-hop with his first ball that
was duly despatched down Dan’s throat at mid-off and West XI were 2-2.
Gilo and Matt were both introduced to
the attack early and were rewarded with a wicket apiece following some very
tight bowling. Gilo might have had another were it not for an especially slow motion drop by Dan that
was to pick him up the muppet moment award. West’s
skipper Wright showed a more aggressive intent on his arrival at the crease and
was ably supported by youngster Allerton who started
slowly, but began to show some expansive strokes. He had not reckoned on the wily
Bayne though, who dismissed him with his first ball of the season clean bowled.
Dario chipped in with another wicket, and it looked like the game might be
heading to a rapid conclusion.
However Wright showed less respect to Ol’s
bowling launching a massive lost ball six into nearby gardens, and found a
staunch ally in Bignall. Thereafter the Whalers
awaited an assault on their total, but this never really materialised as
excellent field settings and tight bowling eased the required rate close to
double figures. The return of Clippy (3-23) finally
broke the deadlock. First up top scorer Wright fell to a brilliant caught
behind by Stu and then Bignall
well caught in an over the shoulder effort by Al. It was left to Matt (3-22) to
finish the job clean bowling West’s number 11 to leave
the Whalers triumphant by 76 runs.
An excellent all-round performance by the Whalers played in
good spirit against sociable opposition. Onwards to the
following weekend, and the search for a maiden victory against Morden Corinthians.
Match
stats:
Whalers CC
198 – Al 69, Oz 51, Stu 51*
West XI CC
122 – Matt 3-22, Clippy 3-23
Man of the match: Al,
for his fine innings of 69 (although most agreed that he was long enough at the
crease to have made a ton…)
Champagne moment: Stu’s superb one handed catch off Clippy,
leaping away to his right behind the stumps to remove the West XI captain and
top scorer
Muppet moment: Dan’s drop off
Gilo at mid-off. We’ve had some ridiculous drops this
season, but really…