|
Welford Park vs Woodley, Saturday 23rd July 2011
"Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory."
George S. Patton
Prologue
“We were promised sunshine, dammit!” There was precious little of the real McCoy available, so let's just say that the ingenious men of Welford decided to create some sparkling yellow rays all of their own (except Matt, who wandered around under a grey cloud all afternoon in the latest episode of the Incredible Sulk).
Preamble
This was a big game for the Park, 2nd (us) versus 3rd(Woodley), winner takes all, no holds barred, man-a-mano, gladiatorial stuff. But wait, there's no need to build this up any further, or sugar coat the result – the mighty Park were at first indomitable, then industrious, and finally insatiable in their desire to get down the pub before six o'clock. And this despite the Woodley team warming up like Internationals, all standing in straight lines and catching like champions, compared with the traditional Welford amble to the middle just in time to lob an old ball around for 2 minutes before the start.
The Match
Winning the toss and electing to bowl under grey skies, stand in skipper Monica was hoping that Matty and Jamo would get some early assistance form a still drying wicket. As it turned out, and despite the opposition palpably disagreeing, there was nothing in the pitch for the bowlers, which puts the subsequent 36 overs of excellence into a true context. Sure there was no bounce – the last time one got above waist height at Welford Herro was a 12 stone twentysomething – but if you put the old front dog down the pitch there was little to worry about. Matty bowled an excellent off stump line and allowed Monica to set an attacking field, while James always threatened the stumps and looked dangerous, his pace edging up as he got loose. Their opener could bare witness to this when a good length ball zipped through his defence and sent his off stump flying. The opening dozen overs were miserly, and James soon dislodged off stump again to leave Woodely in an early state. Monica removed a tired Matty, fully intending to bring him back on later, but the sulking began immediately despite a decent spell. Pratheesh, the Cardiff Express, came on and bowled with some real wheels, particularly considering he'd hurt his shoulder playing badminton. Yep. Injured playing badders... But edges and nudges meant that Woodley recovered to 69 for 2 off 20 odd overs. Not bad, and there was a platform building as one “robust” (Robust in the Matty and Herro mould) lad started to look like he could play. Herro started well from the bottom end, and it was he, in a masterly spell of slow left arm swingers and tweakers, who knocked over the castle of the main man. He swiftly removed another, and supported now by a rehabilitated Pradeep, who started to look more like his old self despite a shoulder injury and clean bowled another, the Park were suddenly well on top and cruising.
Now anyone who has played for the Park knows this is usually the most dangerous time for us, and some random slogger will bunt an over-confident Welford attack to all parts as complacency lets the game drift. Not today chaps, not toady. Seeing a couple of under-3s at the crease, evil Monica brought back the raw pace of the Cardiff Express, and he duly knocked over the last few as they closed their eyes and threatened to tread on square leg's toes. 114 all out in 36 and a bit overs, and get this – ALL TEN CLEAN BOWLED. Er... play forwards guys...
Oh, and Matt didn't get back on, so he didn't speak throughout lunch. Special mention to Praneet for a great lunch (chicken and chutney sarnies are a winner!) and no misfields, although a bit of sprint training (NOT at the Will Herrington school of running) would not go amiss.
And to Lester, a good keeping display on a low wicket, which even drew unsolicited praise from the oppo.
The Welford reply began sedately enough with seven off the first over. Quote of the day to our John post match - “yeah, you were a bit slow at the start there Monica.”
Needless to say we sped up a tad after that. John was showing off with even his gentlest nudges racing for 4, and Monica enjoyed a diet of short and wide stuff. Their best bowler was an intriguing leggie, and John enjoyed him so much that after two fours and a single in four balls he said “well bowled fella” without a hint of irony. To be fair, neither of the fours was a bad ball, John was just in that mood.
In the 9th over Monica brought up his fifty, with John following shortly after, and in 10.3 overs John hit the winning runs. 117 for 0 in less than eleven overs. Not bad really. It was just after 5 o'clock.
The Blue stripe went to Matt, ostensibly for late reactions and pointless diving in the outfield, but I suspect he brings it on himself by choosing never to smile...
The Pub
Good attendance at the pub, although a poor showing from Pratheesh who passed on the jugs of bitter and lager brought by John and Monica respectively, in favour of – wait for it – hitting the gym!! I mean, we all thought about going obviously... So that's why he's so bloody quick!
Most conversation was around if anyone knew of a match which was won by 10 wickets with all oppo batsmen being clean bowled – and why Matty moans about – well, everything, all the time, ceaselessly, forever....
Great performance, perhaps the most comprehensive win I've been involved in, and a pleasure to play in. Well played the Park! |