Match
reports
Cavs v Rocklands CC
In a game of high drama – on and off the pitch, the
Sunday fixture of tour, against Rocklands CC was a cracker.
The Cavs were put in to bat on a warm and sunny Norfolk
afternoon. Todd, fresh from venting his spleen to his fellow
passengers and driver, for getting them horribly lost en-route
to the match (Rusty Roulette, skid pan Luca and Big Phil
no less), opened the batting with the old campaigner G-oat.
Could Todd channel all that frustration when out on the
dance floor?
Rocklands opening bowlers were as tight as one of Lloyd’s
proverbial nats’ chuffs and after twelve overs the
Cavs had only scored 26. Unfortunately Goat was out early
doors when he played an ugly pull shot off a pitched-up
delivery and was bowled for 6. In came Big Bird, recently
re-named Ridsdale, for his tour managerial prowess, to steady
the ship. Todd and Brindo weathered the storm and began
to deliver, Brindo with some well timed blows and Todd,
scampering and finding the gaps with a fine array of shot
selection.
Brindo was to perish when he didn’t quite time one
and was caught on the long off boundary for 39. LBC was
next and managed only 5… not the LBC we all know and
love on this tour (from an on-field perspective) –
better luck next year big fella. Handford came in next and
delivered some lusty blows before being caught at extra
cover for 24, before Timmy F came in to join Todd, who by
now had moved into the 90s. Todd’s tonne arrived in
style before him and Timmy F (batting for his tour average)
closed the Cavs innings. Todd finished on 121 not out and
Timmy F 1 not out. Have we ever seen a better, more patient
and well-executed Cavaliers innings (I refer to Todd’s
knock not Timmy F)? I doubt it.
The Cavs took to the field sensing that a victory could
be on the cards - if they took their chances. The Rocklands
top order looked like they could all play a bit as their
early shots showed. First wicket to go down was taken off
the bowling of SOB, with Handford taking a spectacular diving
catch at mid off to a low driven bullet….
Tant and SOB, both bowled tight and economically, as their
figures showed…. Tant 6 overs, 3 for 20 and SOB 7
overs, 1 for 25. Although there will be a stewards into
the mystery hammy which enforced a sub fielder. Well done
to Ellis, who sacrificed his game of ‘boundary boule’
with the ever vocal Tooth and his band of very merry men.
Handford (6 overs, 1 for 46) and Goat (6 overs, 0 for 47)
were expensive – nuff said… Rumour has it that
married life is affecting Goats sporting ability as an ‘all
rounder’… discuss.
Brindo and LBC were sharp and steadied the ship when the
game looked like Rocklands might well reach their target….
But up stepped Todd, our man of the moment, who took a superb
catch in the covers to dismiss their danger man; who had
looked like he may run away with it at one point. (Have
there ever been two better Cavs catches in one innings?)
Brindo 7 overs, 1 for 30. LBC 4 overs, 1 for 13.
Finally Timmy F and Rusty polished them off with some tale
end classics….
Timmy F 2 overs, 1 for 3
Rusty 1 over, 2 for 1 (top tour bowling figures for the
Rustmeister).
Rocklands were bowled out for 177 from 39 overs.
The Cavaliers won the game by 37 runs.
A day when all departments of the Cavaliers cricketing
‘abilities’ came to the fore; some excellent
well crafted batting (an example of how to build an innings),
some effective bowling with good changes and rotation by
the skipper (which always brought a wicket), some ‘sensational’
catching and good solid fielding all over the park, but
especially from Lloyd who was immaculate behind the stumps.
Catches win matches and didn’t we prove that!
Discussion points:
Can Rusty only manage one big night on tour?
Have we ever seen a better Cavs tour performance?
Did Tooth rig the Norfolk Open?
Will big Phil resurrect his bowling?
Allez les Cavs.
