The grass was pristine green, the clouds like cotton wool, the clock ticked 2pm, a hush descended all around, the gladiators entered the Coliseum………Sorry chaps, I’ve listened to too many Stuart Hall football commentaries. I will pack it in now.
They had travelled from as far a field as Scotlandto watch this one (well Pete Langham’s mate but to be fair I don’t think he had been given any other option but to attend). The Irregulars were batting first.
Llay’s opening 3 bowlers (particularly Davies) were as good as we will face (excluding Chester Asians). Graham dropped Pete Langham down the order to 4. I still don’t know whether this was a tactical masterstroke from the gaffer or whether it was simply down to Pete having 15 pints the previous evening and had only been out of bed for 2 hours. Anyway, it seemed to work with Graham and Ushan looking good before Ushan departed after a few over’s (bowled Davies
– no disgrace in that). Ali came to the crease and looked completely at ease. After playing some nice strokes he was unlucky to get out for 10 (splendid catch in the gully). Out came Pete Langham (our batting rock) and batted beautifully (showing no signs of his previous nights exploits). He hit many fine shots before departing (very unluckily bowled by the spinner Parry’s quicker one) for 18.
Pete Jones uncharacteristically decided to cautiously and methodically play himself in (for the first ball). Second ball, he skipped 8 yards down the wicket and threw everything including the kitchen sink at it. Thankfully, he hit it as I was umpiring at square leg at not having a complete grasp of the rule book I’m not sure if that would have been classed as stumped or run out. The lovable Scouser played in his cavalier style and smashed 21 off about 4 over’s to give good momentum to the innings (before being bowled). Jonathan came in and played great for 12 before (having been influenced by Pete Jones) got stumped for 12. Mansoor was next in and was in fine nick
hitting 3 quick boundaries.
Meanwhile, Graham had been holding the innings together fantastically playing some great shots (including a huge 6). He eventually departed for 35 caught behind off the excellent spinner Parry in the 35th over with the scoreboard showing 137-6. Ben Aveyard came in and looks a real fine prospect. He looked great before being deceived by Davies’s slower ball and got caught and
bowled. Tony came out to bat and young Henry filled the onlookers with confidence by declaring that his dad was a good player….before pausing and adding ‘at golf’. Tony was looking good but time just ran out and Tony remained unbeaten on 1. Mansoor was the last man out for 16 off the final ball (having been influenced by Pete Jones) was stumped. Total Score 158 for 8.
Mansoor and Skippy Hobbs opened the bowling and bowled economically but without wickets.
Mansoor was fast and accurate as usual and Skippy steamed in to bowl his ferocious brand of little wobblers. The shouts of ‘good googly’ and ‘good slider’ from the outfield (Jones) seemed to
work as the batsmen mistakenly thought I knew what I was doing and treated me with caution. Runs were low and wickets…were also low.
Enter Ushan and Pete Jones who slipped effortlessly into their stride. Although slightly more
expensive than Mansoor (5-1-13-0) and Hobbs, both contributed to the wickets taken column with Ushan (7-1-23-1) clean bowling T.Crewe for 4 after being smashed for a 6 off his first ball and Pete
Jones (6-1-34-1) having R.Bostock caught behind for 25.
The real star of the bowling team was young Ali who mesmerised the batsmen with his spin and finished with 3 for 30 off 7. He accounted for D.Buck, J Roberts and D.Parry during a fantastic spell that swung the game heavily towards an Irregulars victory. Jonathan also bowled a few over’s and was unlucky not to take a wicket (a loan signing from Maeshafn and fitted into the team brilliantly).
Also a mention to young Henry. Although not called upon to bat or bowl in this fixture his fielding was sharp and his rallying cries of ‘Come on boys we’re quiet’ kept everyone alert and displayed leadership qualities beyond his tender years.
The turning point of the game was the arrival at the crease of J.Edwards (48 not out) and T.Davies (21 not out). These 2 batsmen (particularly Edwards) played really well and try as the Irregulars did they could not dislodge them. They took the game away from the Irregulars who had looked on course for a good win. Desperate measures brought Skippy back into the attack. He brought out all of his variations (long hops, full tosses, the lot) but nothing seemed to work.
Llay Welfare clinched the victory in around the 36th over (with 5 wickets down). Good close
game but unfortunately it just got away from us at the end. They were a very decent side so I think that everyone should be very proud as we certainly gave them a good game.
Man of the match:
Plenty of good batting performances but I am narrowing it down to 2 people. Graham for his batting and Ali for his bowling. Since Ali got Man of the Match last week at Llanelidan I am going to go with Graham on this occasion. He scored 35 runs and batted for a long time holding the innings together. On top of this he did it against a very good bowling side (particularly
during the first 10 overs). Some of you may see this as a shameless act of sucking up to the Skipper (and yes that is partially the reason also).
Champagne Moment: Part of me wants to give it to Graham’s pull for 6 (but for fear of being shunned in the dressing room forever I am not). Jonathan’s ‘almost’ amazing catch flying high to his right is a contender. So is Llay’s slip fielder tripping over a mole hill between over’s and hitting the deck like a sack of potatoes (much to the delight of all the unsympathetic witnesses). But the winner is……….. Ali taking the wicket of Llay’s Captain and first team regular, D. Parry and in doing so claiming his third wicket. Partially because getting 3 wickets is a great effort and also because on the previous delivery Ali had berated his father’s fielding for turning D.Parry’s single into 2 runs. However, this was clearly a tactical ploy (by our fielding Coach Ushan) to get Parry back on strike for Ali to mop him up next ball.
A good day all round. Unlucky with the result.
Northop Irregulars CC Official Website 