Match
reports
Z
The
Cavaliers earned a battling draw against Essendon on Sunday,
in what were universally acknowledged to be Vivaldi or indeed
Crowded House weather conditions (ie, four seasons in one
day). For once, it was the Cavs who were saved by the fixture
being a timed match rather than limited overs as, batting
second, it the purple-and-blacks who were 30 runs short
and down to their last wicket pair at the end of the game.
With
skipper Jim Handford off at Euro 2004, Simon Foster had
the armband and went through the façade of doing
a toss, when we all know that the cavs will inevitably lose
it and end up in the field. The opening attack of Fraser
Tant and Sean O'Brien was menacing, despite at times bowling
through hailstones the size of gobstoppers. Frase got the
breakthrough in only the second over when an outside edge
saw the ball fly to stand-in wicketkeeper Saul Wordsworth
who caught a superb diving catch in the 'there'. Wordy was
sporting the gloves for the first time ever, but his performance
in this match was immaculate and the only tell-tale sign
that he was a novice was when he came on to the pitch without
wearing any keeping pads. He soon had another scalp to his
name from another edge off Frase, who registered figures
of 6.2.9.2.
While
regularly taking wickets at one end and keeping the run
rate civilised, the Cavs failed to remove the opposition
captain, who carried his bat for an impressive 100 not out,
only the second ton the Cavs have conceded. Shaun Roy, Tim
Firmin and Sean O'Brien all bowled lengthy spells at less
than four an over, although a two over spell for 32 runs
from Foster Snr maybe saw the hosts post a few more than
the Cavs would have liked.
Other
than guesting Gayton skipper Andy Lord (42) and a late flourish
from Shaun Roy (33), the Cavs never really got going in
reply. Snr looked in good nick on his other home patch before
holing out on 23, while Tant fell to his third duck in four
innings when mid-on held a stupendous catch diving forward
to one firmly off the middle. (Related story: http://www.harpendencavalierscc.co.uk/features/CaptainCrisis2004.htm
) SO'B also failed to trouble the scorers, and the Cavs
were left grateful to last wicket pair Jim Burton and Firms
for gutsily seeing out the last three overs with men crowded
round the bat.
So,
an honourable draw, and at least the Cavs have stemmed the
flow of defeats. What price going one better with a victory
against the Players and Jesters next week?
Man
of the Match: Saul Wordsworth, for an outstanding wicketkeeping
performance that belied his inexperience behind the twigs.
Also mentioned: Shaun Roy for a fine game with bat and ball,
and Fraser Tant for quality bowling stats
Champagne
Moment: Wordybonk's first catch, or Jim Burton not realising
until half way through tea that someone had got a ton. Up
there with his "What's Hansie Cronje doing these days"
comment 18 months after he died.
Orange
Cap of Disgrace: Simon Foster, for 2.0.32.0. Tant and O'Brien
ducks also mentioned in despatches.
Unoffical
Report by Simon Foster....
Well
done to all yesterday. A hard fought draw against a pretty
useful
side and when one of the oppo gets 100 in a limited overs
game its always
going to be a tough ask. Many thanks to the two Seans who
bowled very well
during their spells and Frase for tidy figures. Its always
a pleasure to
see 2 spinners working in tandem and with Lordalitheran
and Roy Boy warming
up their Dusera's from both ends. Batting slap on the backs
go to Lordy for
his 42 (one of the biggest sixes Ive seen at Esso) and MOM
Sean Roy for his
useful 33 at the death when a win looked possible. But big
'Respec' to
Firms for a gutsy 12 over rear action for not out 1 and
the Buzzard for his
resolute not out 0. A direct result of working with Jemelia
over the winter
I reckon. Very correct indeed.
Special
thanks to the Pedabonk for some very tidy 'Bar-MITS-Fars'
glove
work (Lloydy watch out). A superb diving catch across first
slip to take in
'the there' webbing and could easily have had the Barclays
Bubbly award but
for a short stay at the crease and not walking on a big
tickle behind.
Tom
Rankin, always a pleasure, too see you umpiring aggresively,
Timmy F
buy some new cricket boots, Sean Obrien I think taking a
leg gaurd maybe
best for you next time, Tanty (3 ducks in 4 starts) chin
up but head down.
Im off to practice my long hops with the 'Cap of Telling
no lies' firmly on
my bonce.
