Match Report vs Cavaliers 17 August 2021 @ Wenvoe (Skipper Richie, report Jim)

The Casuals returned to Wenvoe for the first time since May to take on the Cavaliers in a friendly to round off the midweek season. Showing the greatest level of respect to her ladyship, the game was played as close to the edge of the square as possible, with all overs bowled from the bottom end, ensuring that the very slim chance of a ball flying into a garden was minimised through batting towards the football ground. Once the majority of the players were there, and confirmation was received that Steveo would be late, the toss was held, with the Cavs winning and electing to bowl.

Jesus and Jack L opened the batting and set a good tempo, rotating the strike well. Due to the location of the wicket, the offside boundary was huge, which coupled with the long outfield, resulted in a lot of good shots going for just 1. Still, this didn’t deter the pair as they looked to attack the Cavs attack, before JL got caught at cow corner for 11. Shakey entered play next and continued to look at rotating the strike. Will, meanwhile, had found his rhythm and was finding the boundary with ease, punishing any bad balls delivered by the Cavs. The score ticked by, with Will making his half century, before 12th over brought a moment of confusion. The question was asked whether Will (on 62 at this point) was going to retire at 50 and, after multiple exchanges and changes in decision, he retired, sending James out to the middle, the score on 98.

This incident looked like it may spark a classic Cazh collapse, with Shakey caught next ball and Steveo bowled two deliveries later (Goffy guessed right). This left James, batting in the unusual spot of four, and stand-in skipper Richie to maintain the innings’ momentum. After a few sketchy shots to keep the score ticking over, and running on extras wherever possible, James remembered where the middle of his bat was, crashing two consecutive 6s to the leg-side off the Cavs skipper, the second of which resulted in a lost ball. This would signal the end of the boundary hitting, but the pair continued to rotate and run at any opportunity, taking the Cazh to a total of 145-3 at the end of their 18 overs.

Will ret62
JL ct11
Shakey ct5
James no31
Steveo b0
Richie no8

DNB: Andy, Maxy, Tim, Foxy, Pabs

With a big total to chase, the Cavs started well in their innings, the opening pair building a strong partnership. Maxy started well, bowling his three overs in economic fashion, but unable to repeat his bowling heroics from the Orchestra game – seems he only takes wickets at Pontcanna! Pabs, unfortunately, received some treatment from the batsmen, who looked to take advantage of the small leg-side boundary. Debutant Andy Manley replaced Maxy, with Foxy replacing Pabs, to continue the combinations of seam and spin. Foxy was the one to get the breakthrough, however, bowling the number two batsman for 24, with the score on 61. The next over brought the next wicket, Steaders run out at the non-striker’s end, with Andy claiming the faintest touch on a drive that crashed into the stumps, 72-2 off 11.

A third wicket in three overs arrived, with the number three batsman (interesting pattern) being bowled by Tim. With the required run rate climbing, the Cavs batsmen looked to swing from the hips, which worked in Steveo’s first over, taking the score to 91. The fourth wicket would then fall, though, in Tim’s second over. Having had an obvious stumping given not out, due to the umpire losing concentration (despite the batsman still being out of his ground) two balls earlier, James was alert again to take the bails off, sending the number four bat packing for 16. A wicket for Steveo followed, trapping the danger man Chapman LBW for a duck, leaving the Cavs struggling on 98-5, 48 runs needed off 3 overs. Despite some big swings and a few more runs added to the board, the Cavs couldn’t reach their total, finishing on 122-6 off their 18 overs, Steveo picking up a second wicket, the skipper stumped quickly again by James.

Maxy 3-0-11-0
Pabs 3-0-28-0
Andy 3-0-17-0
Foxy 2-0-16-1
Tim 3-0-14-2
Steveo 3-0-27-2
Will 1-0-6-0

Stumpings: James x2
Run Outs – Andy

A 23 run win by the Casuals to finish the midweek season! The lifting of most social distancing rules meant that The Wenvoe Arms had reopened its’ doors, meaning that the Casuals just had to pay a visit. Drinks were had, crisps were eaten and even some pork scratchings made their way to the table – what a way to end the evening!

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