Whalers CC v Cricketers CC – 22nd May 2010

 

Whalers lose by 8 wickets

 

The Whalers’ unbeaten start to the season came to an abrupt end as a result of some brutal treatment from the Cricketers Batsman.

 

It all started so well as Rich won the toss and elected to bat against a team 2 men short in the field. Thanks to some tidy batting and a little assistance from an early rash of extras the Whalers were able to race to 23 without loss off the opening 4 overs. This achievement made all the more impressive by the fact that regular opener Pip had to move down the order due to an inexplicable lack of jock strap. However under the mounting pressure of some disciplined bowling, aggressive appealing and a frustratingly slow over rate the Whalers run rate column went down and wickets against went up, and eventually we found ourselves 77 for 5 off 20 overs.

 

The Whalers were however were able to mount a decent recovery with contributions from multitalented wicketkeeper/batsman Kev who hit a fluid 29 including a lusty leg side six, Matt with an unbeaten 24 and Dan, perhaps inspired by the oppositions Gallic fielder, playing some top notch French cricket for a well crafted 18. The end result was a very defendable 170 for 8 at the end of the 35 overs.

 

The opening bowling partnership of Dan and Matt threatened and was perhaps unlucky only to take 1 wicket between them. However as the total massed up and Whalers first and second change bowlers failed to take any wickets the end result of the game became more and more inevitable. A partnership between a tall and wristy batsman whose craft appeared to be learnt in the subcontinent and a short, stocky and powerful batsman whose skills were surely homed on the ale soaked village greens of England proved too much for the Whalers. Heads clearly dropped as fielding mistakes occurred all too often. However one positive to be taken from the bowling was Pip’s bowling described by some “as the best they have ever seen him bowl”. The highlight was his beautifully flighted delivery which brought about the stumping of the Cricketers most dangerous batter. Unfortunately this was too late in the game and the Whalers total was chased down with almost 8 overs to spare and only 2 wickets down.

 

Fortunately the Whalers will only have a few days in order to dwell on this match before attention will turn to the shorter form of the game for Thursday nightT20 fixture.

 

Whalers:               171 for 8 (35 overs)                

Cricketers:           172 for 2 (27.1 overs)

 

Man of the match:               Kev for a decent 29 and reliable keeping

Bier D’Or moment:             Kev’s stumping off Pips bowling

Muppet moment:                Pip forgetting his jock strap and having to quietly ask to drop down the order while his girlfriend drove home to get it. If this is beaten this season it’s going to be a cracker!