Twenty20 Tournament 25/7/10

Really, is it any wonder we lost?

A creditable effort by Irregulars in the Northop Twenty20 festival as we won our semi against Kinnerton comfortably but were crushed by West Kirby Wasps in the showdown.

Wasps were even more dismissive of Maeshafn in the morning semi, racking up 151-8, and, despite the unexpected presence of young ringer Richie Walker from Northop, restricting Maeshafn to 87-8 in their reply.

We soon had Kinnerton in trouble in the lunchtime game, Mansoor accounting for both openers in a terrific spell of 3-2-2-2. Wayne Totty also bowled well but the change bowlers were unable to keep enough pressure on and Kinnerton’s numbers five and six scored 50 runs between them as a succession of poor balls was put away.

A final score of 89-7 was very gettable but was still far more than we should have conceded – and was just enough to be on the testing side of straightforward.

Dave Hobbs, Harry Bartlem, Graham and Tom Allman all picked up a wicket but Wayne, who conceded just five runs in his three overs, and Mansoor were by far the best of the bowlers.

Our batting, however, worked out perfectly. Dan (5) and Pete (17) gave us a solid if slightly slow start and young Tom Allman injected a bit of pace batting at three. I contented myself with hitting the occasional legside full toss and let first Tom and then, once he picked out the fielder at square leg for 19, Wayne bat around me.

Wayne struck his obligatory six and batted nicely for a quick 14. The game was still in the balance when Peter came to the crease but he too scored at a good tempo without taking silly chances.

He fittingly struck the winning blow, bringing us to 93-4 after just 18.1 overs, finishing on 11 not out with me unbeaten on 14.

It was clear, though, that we would have to improve dramatically if we were to give Wasps a game. Opening bowlers Mansoor and Wayne again did a terrific job and the score was just 29-1 after the first six overs, Iain Mackie perishing to a high catch by yours truly at long off.

Although the rest of the bowling was much better this time around we were unable to stem the tide for long. Wasps were 54-1 after 10 overs and then accelerated away from us a bit, especially in the last three overs, which went for 27.

Tom Allman with his leftarm spin was the pick of our bowlers this time. His 2-20 would have been much better if Dave and I hadn’t both dropped catches in a single over. Harry bowled a more consistent line for 1-15 from his three and Graham picked up 2-23 with Mansoor on 1-17.

In the end we did pretty well to restrict a free-scoring side to their 126-7. Desperate for a quicker start I promoted our young ringer Tom Allman to open the batting but the game was up as early as the second ball when he edged a diving catch to the wicketkeeper for 0.

Runs were hard to come by and wickets kept tumbling: Dan for 7, Pete for 5 and Graham for 6. Wayne batting at five struck the shot of the day to deposit the ball miles into the churchyard but then tried his luck once too often and was caught for 10 – and that really was game over. We were 33-6 at the halfway point, still 93 runs adrift, and the rest of the batsman had no choice but to take risks – and perished accordingly.

Harry was cleaned up for 1 but Peter Jones batted nicely again until I underestimated just how slow he is between the wickets and ran him out for our top score of 16. Not content with that I then ran myself out to a smart bit of work by the keeper for 7, Mansoor had an entertaining swish for 2, Rhodesy was caught and bowled for a duck and Dave was left not out on 1.

We were all out for 64 in the 17^th over, losing by the small matter of 62 runs to a Wasps side who were far too good for anyone else on the day.

Man of the tournament: Peter Jones for two fine knocks, a brilliant bit of fielding running around the boundary to palm the ball back to safety and an almost-screamer of a diving catch which he sportingly confessed (after a bit of prodding) he hadn’t quite managed to cling on to. Mansoor and Wayne were our other standout performers.

Champagne moment: has to be Wayne falling over on the pavilion steps on his way out to bat in the final. What a tool.

Neil Bartlem

Irregs v Barbour-ABI 17/6/10

Format: 20 overs. Venue: Northop. Scores: Irregulars 102-7, Barbour-ABI 62. Result: Irregs win by 40 runs.

I was always on a loser to be honest, we were the proper team that I had waxed lyrically about for years to bored work mates, we trained in the winter, we even had shirts with our names on! We were going to win, they all knew that.  No for me the most important aspect of the game was that I in front of friends and colleagues didn’t let myself down, that I could hold my head up high as I walked into work the next day…

The playing members of ABI had been given special dispensation to leave work early to travel cross border for what was being billed as a friendly of international proportions, so unusually the away team were first to arrive and prepare, well them and me anyway.  I had had a frantic afternoon believing that my moment of destiny had arrived, that I would lead the Irregs on to the pitch, even down to writing down the batting order and informing the openers. Luckily Neil’s date with Ian Woosnam was finished in time for him to arrive to pick up the reins and order was restored.

Watching the oppos warm up convinced me that there was however rusty, some talent and ability amongst their number, we couldn’t be swayed by the mix of tee shirts and jogging bottoms that can count for nothing – remember I’ve got all the gear and I’m rubbish!

It was decided that win or lose the toss, we would bat, we still however went through the motions (mainly for the crowd!) so in strode Pete L and Ian. Run scoring early doors was strong with the pair putting on 28 in the first four overs until Pete was bowled for 13, Ushan came in and steadied the ship and we again looked comfortable until Ian was out for 19 with the score on 44. Nigel came in for 9 balls scoring 6 including a lusty 4 which brought Wayne to the crease, who batted with great control as he and Ushan pushed the score up to 94 before the fall of the 4th wicket. Ushan’s retirement after a fine 25 signalled 10 minutes of madness, that saw us lose 3 wickets for 8 runs and just manage to push the total over 100 after our 20 overs.

You remember my greatest fear…well it had to happen and the tale of Pat the new lad in telesales who dismissed the sales director with his first ball with one that bounced twice is already the stuff of legend. It would have been easier to dig out with a shovel than hit with a bat – thankfully the moment was captured on camera phone and circulated throughout the business.  Mark and Mansoor did better (in that they troubled the scorer) but it’s difficult at this stage in the innings to do anything meaningful as they lost their wickets pushing the score along, leaving Harry stranded on 1 not out (more about him later!).

One of the downsides of fielding second is that you don’t start drinking till later than if you’ve had your customary 3-4 ball innings and are now sat back with a pint watching your teammates win the match for you.  On this night the same could be said for the food. It was difficult not to see the steaming bowls and bowls of curry, stew and chilli coming out of the clubhouse and wonder if any was going to be left by the time we would get there – the answer was NO!

The tale of the ABI innings is that of the bowling, good technique and consistent line and length were well rewarded against some ill judged and inexperienced batting.  How Mansoor bowled 4 overs without claiming a wicket, I will never know, but the fact that he only gave away 6 runs tells its own story, as does Ushan’s 3-15.  However there was a real star of the night and that was Harry who ripped through the top and middle order finishing with superlative 5-6 from his 4 overs which also included a hat trick in his last over (which I think is an Irregs first).

The batting slumped from 7-1 to 15-6 and they never recovered and at 38-9 the game was more or less over, however the last pair of Chris and Pat (yes the same one) put on 26 for the last wicket as Neil charitably gave 14 off his 3 overs.  The innings shuffled to a close with Wayne taking the last wicket with the score on 62, signal handshakes all round and a dash to the bar.

Stood talking to the guys from work, a cold one in hand, enjoying the last moments of sunshine on a glorious mid summer evening, one remarked “look at this setting and and look what you guys get to do all summer long”, and I think he had a point – perhaps we do take it a little for granted.  My moment of enlightenment was broken when he added “it’s a shame you let them down by being so crap”.

Man of the match: Harry Bartlem – as fine a display with the ball as we will see all season.

Champagne Moment: I know what the lads from work would vote for! For me though Harry’s hat trick steals the show.

Simon Rhodes