Match reports

Silsoe Cricket Club - Home 06/08/06

Scorecard

The Cavs vs Chain Gang

Sunday 6th August 06
Rotho Park Upper Pitch

Fresh from a convincing win over Harps the week prior and Essendon the week before that, the Cavs descended on Rotho keen to make it three wins on the trot. Fortunately, early apprehensions of a no show were put to rest as the Chain Gang finally rolled up a little after 2pm, this meant the usual 40 over fixture would be reduced to 35 each way.

Intent on having a BBQ to follow the match captain Jay Wise was instrumental in ensuring we took to the field first. Conditions were good, this refers more to the day than the pitch – more green weed there than any seen in Glastonbury!! Tant opened up the innings bowling from the Pavilion end. Consistent with our starts of late the Cavs got off to a flyer in the first over; a ball of searching line and length nicked and the catch taken. This early scalp was followed neatly afterwards by a second wicket, also claimed by Fraser, as a sharp chance was sliced to gully and neatly taken by Adam sure hands Phythian. As Fraser savoured the prospect of a first ever Cavs hat trick, Tim Firmin was given the opening duties from the Harvester end. The duo produced a tidy opening, two wickets soon became three as Fraser claimed his third in as many overs. At this point the Chain Gang look on all sorts at 8 for 3 and this prompted shouts of an early BBQ and quick 20-20 to round out the arvo.

The inevitable fight back did come from Chain Gang’s middle order, or more correctly on the openers ‘Tom’ who clearly had cricketing pedigree. What followed was something poetic. At one end there was Tom, a balanced cricketer who showed his class with beautifully timed cover drives and pull shots, most racing to the boundary. At the other was the elder statesman, best described as the batsman who played very late and somehow survived against Jimmy Hat’s wonderful spell. After a tidy opening a number of the Cavs bowlers’ suffered in offering up oh so much buffet - that would be LBC to name and shame!! Wickets continued to fall, Jimmy Hat taking a ‘catches win matches’ chance in the covers to reward the Firminator for a fine opening bit of hard yakka.

The resurgence from the Chain Gang was very real as their opener continued to score. He quickly raced to 50 and at drinks the Cavs had plenty of work to do to keep the score respectable. The drinks break proved the pivotal moment as Jay Wise, reluctant at this stage to make a return to the bowling arena entrusted Elbow to take up the attack. This confidence was more than re paid as Ellis produced a masterful cameo. At the heart of this success was Elbow’s awesome variation that caused the danger man more than a few worries – before long he was irresistibly trapped in front and sent on his way. Elbow claimed two further wickets in a wonderful return to the bowling arena, prompting keeper Lloyd into voice with shouts of ‘Where’ve you been for the Cavs all this time Elbow”. From here it was a procession and matter of time before the Gang from London town ran out of steam. Welcome Phil Lythgoe the tallest tweaker round to the action (excepting P Wise) who paired with Jay Wise to flummox the tail. Jay was quick and the pace reassuring but it was Phil who splayed the wickets to round out the innings, the Cavs set 186 to win.

Into the interval Jimmy Hat put on an array of teas and Fraser home made cakes that will long be remembered by both parties – top effort lads!! At the other side of teas it was our turn to face the chin music on a dodgy pitch and 186 seemed a long way off. The reliable pairing of Bainesy and Jay Wise strolled out, both opting to don on lids and with good reason. The start was scratchy, both did well to survive as balls shot through low and reared up off the same length. Still there’s no substitute for quality and it wasn’t long before the boundaries flowed, at one point 7 consecutive 4s were etched in the book and we were off to a flyer. At 50 for zip after 10 overs we looked comfortably home but this game wouldn’t lie down. After middling much of the opening bowling, Bainesy was the first to go launching an attempted drive, out for a tidy 22. Mahmood then joined the fray hungry for runs and sporting a polished new bonnet. As luck would have it he didn’t enjoy a long stint at the crease falling fowl of one that kept low, this left Lloydy no options. Next to bat was Jimmy Hat who looked in good touch. As with his bowling spell he did all the right things but was not rewarded. The temptation of a short ball was taken and for a while it seemed the ball would clear deep fine leg, but it dipped and Jim was caught for fewer than he would have liked.

Jay Wise and LBC then enjoyed a good period in the middle of the innings, but looking to push on after facing an interesting over, Wisey glanced one to the keeper and walked for a well-made 37. Further partnerships followed with Elbow, Tant, Lythgoe and Lloydy and in each, valuable runs were chipped from the required target. For a time it was a case of maintaining the required 5 runs per over, but gradually the urgency eased with timely blows to the boundary by all just mentioned. With three overs to face it was Lloydy who fittingly guided one to backward of square to clinch the game. So a memorable win for the Cavs over the Chain Gang, making it our 3rd in three weeks, awesome!

Special moments included Tant’s bag of 4 wickets to wipe out the top order, Elbow’s crack on the patella and his spell to claim 3 wickets, the glorious teas and that BBQ with lagers as the sun fell over Rotho park.

Bring on Silsoe, good luck lads!
LBC