Match
reports
Theydon Bois. That’s a funny old name isn’t
it? Now a regular fixture on the Cavaliers fixture list
and still no-one really knows how to pronounce it let alone
find the place. Generally a close match and this one was
no exception, as the Cavaliers started to look their age
facing up to 11 lads, none above the age of 23.
A hot day, so skipper Gandalf opted to bat allowing Todd
and Ellis to continue their personal run-scoring battle
together. Facing tight bowling at both ends the opening
batsmen were solid in defence without being able to cut
loose. Todd had to reign in his instinct to explode from
the start, but still latched onto the few loose deliveries
sending them to the boundary. He had scored 36 when trapped
in front and BCR rolled out the finger of death. The fact
that BCR was still able to lift his arm after completing
a triathlon at 6.30am earlier in the day was no mean feat
as simply standing up looked to be difficult.
Next man in, Jimmy Hat, was also finding things physically
tough from the outset. He’d moved house that morning
(there is nothing like a Cavalier’s warm up for these
games is there?!) and was soon asking umpire Burton to phone
the sidelines for some chocolate. Yes, our umpire did have
a phone and yes, he did use it. Soon after the chocolate
break, Handford was then asking what was in the sandwiches
for tea, which would suggest his mind was on other things.
However, he finally engaged his talents and scored a fluent
37 and really helped things push along with partner Ellis.
At about 150/1 with the overs running out, Hat upped the
run rate before finally holing out whilst at the other end
Elbow’s patients produced dividends as he passed 50.
With 5 overs left LBC marched in and didn’t muck
about – 13 from about 4 balls included one effortless
6, which sailed into the tennis courts. Brindo too made
sure the Cavs innings was finished strongly by scoring 12
from 6. With just two balls remaining, Ellis finally succumbed
which left his mate, Lloydie, to walk the plank and face
the last ball of the innings. A confident stride to the
crease, followed by the words, “lets get ready to
rumble” could really only lead to one thing. The duck
was of the golden variety. Cavs 198/6.
Theydon’s openers knew what they were doing and,
together with some abject bowling and fielding to start
with, saw them motoring at 6-an over. Foster jnr struggled
with his line and didn’t have much joy with his length
either during the 6overs he started with. Brindo, however,
was starting to crank things up is becoming something of
an Incredible Hulk character. Get this gentle giant angry
and the red mist descends, clothes begin to tear and the
pace & bounce appear which provides a hostile time for
the best of batsmen. A cracking delivery removed the opener
LBW. Meanwhile Bagsmore Burton was finding a lovely rhythm
(last seen in a Palma nightclub) with the windmill as things
started to pick up for the Cavs and he was unlucky to finish
without a wicket. Things were really made to happen by LBC,
spearing in his left arm deliveries at the stumps with as
much ferocity as the 5th year around a bag of smarties.
Figures of 4-0-14-3 showed all that is good about Aussie
cricket. (Bestie who was wearing a lime green and orange
shirt, short and cap combo showed the bad side).
However, the Bois score continued to tick over as both
BCR and Paul Wise’s dobblers were not quite getting
through. At this point it should be commented that the home
team rolled out a pissed-up father to umpire who provided
the only down-side to a good game. Constantly giving no-balls
and wides for little reason – not to mention the continuous
coaching and barracking whilst at square leg – left
a bad taste and probably provided Theydon with an extra
20runs. As we came down the stretch Golden Arm was called
upon and he clearly had stocked up with chocolate during
tea as he produced an 8over spell to be proud of. Leaking
just 17runs for 3 wickets he nearly won the game for the
away team. Backed up really well by Brindo things went to
the wire before the young team from Essex edge over the
line with only one wicket to spare. 200/8. A great effort
to fight back and had a few LBW and extras decisions been
more favourable things may have turned out better.
