Match Report
Tuesday 8 June -v- Highlands Farm Dairy at Sutcliffe Park (RAY WILLIS TROPHY)
With much talk of 'the 200' in the air, Spud took full advantage of a generous invitation to bat, nominating Dark and Vice Nob to provide us with a positive start. Daredevil running and some over zealous fielding, intermingled with a rich array of OoohAaarghBarryGale agricultural hoicks, helped us achieve and maintain the necessary rate of ten runs per over. Mark, closely pursued by Slack, reached his fifth RW fifty and eventually fell victim of a foolhardy attempted single. Together they had compiled a record breaking opening stand of 115 and finally expunged from the annals of Chicken history the name of 'Round dodger Grater'. The much ridiculed promotion of the skip to number three, a move which would hit his pocket severely under the jurisdiction of the Fines Committee, allowed for a continuation of the free scoring. After GTs dismissal, D.T. reverted to a more familiar role as Bag Packer, after a thoughtful knock which included a deliberate 'leave' outside the off stump for which he was rightly fined. Neil showed that watching Shane Warne in the Test had done zilch for his ability to pick the wrong-un, as he played and missed quite happily against a non spinning leggy. The slightly sagging run rate was restored to order through the assured touch of Mery Wilsdon, whose intelligent use of the single ensured Spud saw enough of the strike to take us through 200.0ur innings eventually closed on 205-4, with Spud not out 54. HFD took liberal helpings of the dross that was served by the newly founded Young Chickens Leg Spinners Association, but even so never really got themselves in the hunt. Pick of the spin came from Merv 'Its better than your normal shite' Wilsdon, who bagged three victims, with a wily combination of Flippers and Chinamen. The under-respected Old Man, wrought more controversy with an over of medium pace, that not only cost him a fine but also brought a Border-McDermott style confrontation at the end of the over. His immediate reversion to spin was rewarded with two wickets, which just goes to show how much he has to learn. Only the cunning flight of Steve Rhino Quadir broke the monotony of our relentless march to more silverware, as his looping flippers were treated with the scant regard they deserved. Without the aid of a scorebook the HFI innings closed at something or other less than we got for six. The winning margin was eventually calculated at Two pints of Gold Top, a Dozen Size 5 eggs and a carton of Strawberry Yoghurt. The homely confines of the Rising Sun were preferred against the new Bankers Draft and a series of outrageous fines were meted out under a haze of Boddies and Pride.
