Match Report
Following last weeks fine performance, Bill was keen to maintain the momentum for our visit to Matfield. Unfortunately A to Z Webb took ill advised travel arrangements from the normally so reliable Timms and was inevitably late. With Spud and Chris leading a minor breakaway group into the cosy confines of the Horseshoe, it was with some relief that Northdown asked us to bat. Darkie and Danglers were given the unenviable task of distributing the assortment of pies that were tossed at them. They managed to such good effect, that both still occupied the crease when Ex-nob and Lardy emerged from the pub three-quarters of an hour later. Moysey eventually fell for a laborious 50, allowing Gordon immediate opportunity to prove that last week’s knock was not the dawning of a regular Caribbean Calypso. Barry joined Mark in the middle, and took our total from a modest 126-2 to 169, before Darkie finally managed to leave Baz stranded in mid-wicket; Barry's contribution had been 30 from a stand of 43 that encompassed only fifteen minutes and eleven scoring shots. At the close Darkie remained unbeaten on 76, from a final score of 174-3. As in the past Northdowns showed little inclination to chase the target, despite a steady offering of cannon fodder to whet the appetite. Slack and LSC put us well in command in the early stages, sharing the first five wickets but from then on the match degenerated into a dour encounter, with the majority of those present praying for divine intervention; God showed as little interest in rescuing us, as our hosts appeared to have in getting the ball off the square. At the end of twenty overs Northdowns had groped their way to 70-7. Having bored us half to death during the match, Northdowns were determined not to give any respite in the pub afterwards, electing their opening bowler as team spokesman. Single-handedly he nailed the final tacks into our coffin, telling all that failed to escape, a potted synopsis of his marvellous cricket career to date.
