Casuals vs. Cardiff Uni Staff 23 June @ Wenvoe
(match report author Shagger)

On a sunny weekday evening, the Casz faced Cardiff Uni Staff, the Casz looking to improve their league standing after an up and down start to the season (3 wins 3 losses).

Richie won the toss (that was a change of luck) and decided to bat. Goughy and TH were asked to open and they got off to a good start with 8 off the first over, unfortunately the first ball of the second over saw TH bowled (7). Casz 8-1. Paul was next up, he and Goughy put on a useful partnership (in the context of the game) of 14 before Paul was bowled for 3 in the 7th over. 22 for 2. Muff joined Goughy at the crease and managed to stay with him for 3 overs before being run out for 2. 29-3. Steveo came and went for nothing in the same over. 29-4. Richie added some impetus before Goughy was bowled for 21. 43-5 after 12 overs. The Wily Fox scored nine singles (I’d like to say ‘quick singles’, but I can’t remember and I’d probably be lying) before caught behind. 55-6 off 15overs.

The Casz needed runs and they needed them fast. Who could they turn to who could take the job on?.... I’ll be honest I wouldn’t have guessed Scotty, however it was he that stepped in and upped the run rate. After Richie went for 13 lbw, Shagger and Scotty put on a 20 partnership in the last 2 overs, with Shagger run out off the last ball for 13 and Scotty 19 not out.

Casuals 94-8 off 20 overs

With not a great total to defend, the Casz needed a tight bowling and fielding performance. Paul and Muff opened the bowling, though the Uni Staff # 1 bat went after the bowling from the off, with 11 off the first over. Muff got him in the 4th over with a blinder of a catch by TH for 16 (according to the book). Not that I can remember this game (I’m writing the match report in late Aug), but the #2 batsman at this point still hadn’t scored a run, and he didn’t as Paul bowled him in the 5th (22-2). Their skipper only scored 1 before Shagger run him out with an assist from Stumpy Goughy (23-3). I don’t know what the score was after Paul and Muff finished their spell, but Paul’s figures were 4overs – 22-1, and Muff a very good 4-1-6-1.

Scotty and The Fox took over, both not going for loads, but the Uni Staff seemed comfortable chasing the low score. Shagger was brought on to try and take a wicket, alas not, and the #4 & #5 batsman reached the total after 17.4 overs scoring 34 and 25 not out. Scotty, Foxy & Shagger finished with figures – 2.4-14-0; 4-23-0; & 3-20-0 respectively.

Uni Staff 95-3.

The Casz at this point looking like they would not be in the Shield competition for the first time in their (brief) League history….

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