Elvaston CC vs OLCC

Our heroes arrived and Gillers was Gary Grumpy at being made Skipper for the day. His Huw Maw did not get better as he lost the toss and we were sent into the field. Giraffe and H7, in for Haylo and Granster today, will open the bowling. And they bowled well despite the young Elvastonians showing no respect for their elders; wiping good length balls from outside off stump to the leg side boundary with upsetting regularity. RNP bowled some interesting stuff from behind the umpire at one end, while Google bowled well at the other. Wickets fell but just as regularly as the boundaries flowed. CPS came on at the death and took 3-in-4 balls, including his last two to leave him on a bizarre hat trick next time he plays! This meant we had bowled them out for 200 in 39.2 of their allotted 40 overs.

El president had umpired the first innings but had decided to rod off to watch the snooker final after tea. Oh he of little faith. Gillers and Seb opened up and made good progress keeping us in touch. Gillers went and then Seb and Ackers put on a fine stand of 111 before Seb was dismissed for an excellent half century. The Squire batted beautifully keeping us on course with another half century, before he watched Giraffe and Google fall in quick succession. Ackers and Joker steadied things briefly before the Squire holed out at deep long on and Guv fell soon after.

This brought Allan-son, JJ, to join Allan-father at the wicket; with 26 still needed in four or so remaining overs. This was the first time they had batted together since JJ had become a club honorary member, and ‘H8’ arrived at the wicket telling his father to calm down! A few scrambled singles and twos led to just ten being needed off the final two overs. JJ smashed 4 down the ground and a couple of singles left Joker on strike; needing 4 to win. Tension mounted as he missed the first three, but the fourth was middled past deep backward square leg for the winning boundary! Applause all round and a warm embrace between father and son; made even more sweet and poignant as JJ had been out for three years with a detached retina; well batted, lad. On return to the pavilion, Gillers was suddenly a very happy skipper indeed.

OLCC win by 4 wickets