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Casuals vs. SW Echo at Llanrumney
- 19 July 2005
As no one else was available, I (Dan) was drafted in as captain
to try and overcome the two defeats of last season against
the Echo…
The evening began well (apart from the bitter wind) with
the oppo only managing to bring 9 players and we won the toss,
some might say that this was as far as the good fortune carried
as the opening pairing was Bagpuss and Easy Ryder…Not
at all, the stand-in Skip had ‘bags’ of confidence….
From the off, Baggy looked to be regaining his lost form
as the first two balls were ‘carved’ away for
two runs each down to his favourite area - third man (or pie
corner as it should be known). Unfortunately, the Curse of
Bagpuss struck with the fourth ball of the first over as he
managed to work a ball going down leg into the hands of cover.
Last batsman 4 runs; Casuals 5 for 1 off 1 over).
The sight of a guest appearance of Pad making his way to
the wicket gave the fans some confidence – right up
to the moment they realised that he was sober…Fortunately,
since changing his job to private investigator and fact-finder,
Pad (Magnum PI) and Easy set off at a terrific pace, Magnum
punishing the bowler’s leg-side line and Easy smacking
some lovely cover drives, plus a superb leg glance for four.
The two of them took the score to 42 of 5 overs, then 80
off 10. The 100 partnership came in the 13th over and Easy’s
first 50 for the club came in the 14th. Unfortunately one
big hit too many came in the next ball as Easy was caught
at backward point for 51 (including 7 fours) (Casuals 114
for 2). Will joined Pad at the crease, and after surviving
some entertaining running (on one Will would have been out
by about 10 foot but fortunately the over zealous wicket keeper
took the bails off even though the fielder decided not to
throw the ball). Pad was eventually out bowled for 42 after
15 overs - Casuals 123 for 3. Will was eventually run out
by Goughy in the next over (for 12) - Cazh-137 for 4. Steveo
was next up, both he (12no) and Simon (20no) took the score
up to a more than respectable 161 for 4 off
the 18 overs. The Echo to be fair ‘helped’ by
dropping a number of catches, in fact it was noted by one
the Echo that our two ‘loaned’ fielders were their
best – Tits and DB1…..
So with a massive total to defend, Justin and Dave opened
the bowling. After their fielding stint both were foaming
at the mouth to get at the oppo. Justin could only manage
2 overs (conceding just 7 runs) of his allotted 3 before he
did a 'Shakey' and pulled his arse and had to limp off the
field. Dave, however, shed his DB1 tag and took 3 excellent
wickets for just 7 runs (one bowled, one stumped – (Goughy)
and one caught and bowled).
Shagger took over from Justin and managed to bag 3 wickets
for 5 runs off 2 overs, two of which were well caught behind
by Goughy (the other caught by TH at point). TH and Muff mopped
up the tail with one wicket a piece, Muff conceding no runs,
though TH went for a massive 9 – however, this was mainly
due to some pillock attempting a run out after the batsman
had past the crease, the ball flying towards the boundary
with only DB1 there to stop it…. 4 overthrows –
can’t think who it was now though….
The Casuals secured a convincing victory bowling the Echo
out for just 28. In the pub afterwards the
Order of the Fez was awarded to Chris ‘Easy’ Ryder
his first half century for the club and I believe he has also
successfully passed his 1000th run for the club.
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