g24_16jul06_consmen

This was the first attempt in many years to turn a normal 40 over Sunday match into a mini test match – 2 x 20 over innings. And what better day to hold it, with temperatures into the 30’s…. The format of the two innings was to reverse the batting order in the second innings. With this in mind the normal batting line up was altered, though as is the strength of the casuals competent batsmen can find themselves batting in the tail end because they have bowled.

Richie (I’m guessing) won the toss and decided to bat. Tesh and Will opened the batting and started steadily, though the bowling was also tight. At the first change of bowlers, after 6 overs the Cazh were 22 for 0. The seventh over began the start of the collapse…First to fall was Will, caught for 12. BA came in at 3 and managed to put on a partnership of 1 with Tesh, before Tesh was run out (12). Shagger promoted to number 4 was determined to get a big score…Paul was out in the 9th over trying to take on the spin of Saunders but only managed loft it direct to the fielder (2). Jamie ‘stupid boy’ Pike fell in the same manner as Paul, deceived by the slow pace and loopy delivery (2). James Roach (we’re still trying to find a suitable nickname – those mentioned have been mainly based around popular 80’s ‘soap’ Dallas – Tex, Dallas, Larry or cock) came in at 6 – the Cazh only on 30. Larry started well with a fine 4, but was soon trudging back to the pavilion (6) (not having been run out by Shagger), instead bowled (6) by Saunders. Muff was in at 7 and with words of ‘lets bat out the remaining 10 overs’, Shagger duly played what can only be described as a crap shot – spooning straight back to the bowler and became the 5th victim of Saunders (2).

At 40 for 6 after 11 overs the Cazh were in trouble, however Richie joined Muff in the middle and the pair went around trying to claw the team back into the game. Four 4’s from Richie and strong running from Muff, the pair put on a very respectable 40 for the 7th wicket and helped the Cazh out of their hole. Richie was eventually bowled (18 ) in the 18th over. Dewbs and DB Thomas in at 9 & 10 didn’t trouble the scorers (0 x 2) out bowled, bringing Andy Furnham to face the last couple of balls. Both he and Muff finished not out (6) and (18 ) respectively, and the Cazh made it to 90 off the allotted 20 overs.

And so to the Consmen’s first innings. Shagger and Dewbs opened the bowling for the Cazh. Shagger started with a wicket maiden (caught Andy F at backward point) and Dewbs only conceded one run. Shagger’s second over was also a wicket maiden (bowled) and Dewbs picked up a wicket (stumped by BA). The Consmen after the first 6 overs at just 8 for 3. Muff and DB took over bowling duties and continued the good work, Muff only going for 5 off his 3 overs. Dave was a little less fortunate going for 6 an over. However, during their spell the Cazh picked up 2 more wickets via run out by the pair. Larry and Andy F were next to bowl, but the Consmen looking to increase the run rate and took risks and were rewarded with a run rate of 6.5 an over. The Consmen put on 47 for the 6th wicket (S Nurse 21). In his first over, Big Willy got the break though (caught by Tesh) – wicket maiden. Tesh bowling from the other end got another wicket in his second (and the last over) caught by Andy F. The Consmen finished on 79-7 (S Head finishing on 36 not out) .

Now for the most important part of the day – the tea. Shagger had produced an ‘almost’ healthy tea – including some green stuff in the sandwiches (salad), oranges but stacks of cakes. The players re-emerged out on the field looking, in some cases, twice the size they were before tea.

Innings 2 (Cazh lead of 11) - With Andy F still struggling with his back, shoulder, and now full stomach, it was DB and Dewbs to open the batting for the Cazh. DB started well – with a single, but was undone by a straight one – bowled (1). Richie was in next and partnered Dewbs for a couple of overs before he too was out bowled (5). Muff joined Dewbs for another partnership of 1 before Dewbs was caught for 7 (the knock included a lovely cover drive). Larry joined Muff with the Cazh at 16 for 3 off 5 overs. They managed 5 overs before Muff was caught (5). Pike and Larry produced a partnership of 24 for the 5th wicket, which was ended with Larry bowled for 16 (in the circumstances a very good knock). Pike was next to go also caught (5). Shagger came and went within an over (6 - bowled), bringing BA and Big Willy to the crease. The Cazh struggling a bit at 62-7 off 16, BA and Big Willy ‘went for it’ and put on an excellent 43 run partnership – BA 18no, and Willy 21no, with the Cazh finishing on 105, leaving a total of 116 for the Consmen to chase.

Muff and Tesh opened the bowling, and soon the Consmen’s chase was hit by the first blow, Muff bowling the opener for a duck. They Consmen steadied themselves and put on a further 25 for the 2nd wicket until Big Willy struck again in his first over caught and bowled (another wicket maiden). Larry picked up the next wicket four overs later (bowled). The Consmen 37-3 off 10 overs. Richie and Andy F were next to bowl, and I think it was at this point that BA took a bat in the face (keeping wicket), the batsman’s follow through a bit wider than BA expected. Fortunately, apart from falling backwards, a splattering of blood across the face and on the batsman’s bat – Paul was able to continue. Richie got the next wicket lbw in the 13th over. After 14 overs the Consmen needed 50 of the remaining 6 overs. Shagger and Dewbs were given the honour of bowling these. Shagger managed to pick up a wicket each of his three overs (2x bowled, and one caught behind by BA), and Dewbs finished off with a wicket in his second over and his final over. There was also a run out by Dave. The Consmen finished on 92, just 23 away from victory.

Following the game, the Conmen had brought along a BBQ and beer and there was no stopping the Cazh from gorging themselves again. A really enjoyable day, played throughout in a friendly, but competitive manner and hopefully a format that will be tried again, though an earlier start might be advisable as the game didn’t finish til almost 9pm.

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