Match Report vs Chepstow
4th August 2024 @ Abercarn (Skipper Jim, Report Pat)
Following a late in the week summons to the semi-fit and
partly-able, 11 seasoned Casuals arrived at Chepstow to blue
skies, a long boundary and an archery range beyond the cover/mid-wicket
fence. An ‘arranged’ toss saw the Cazh take to
the field first, with several members sporting the newly arrived,
100% printed polyester shirts (under instruction to not go
near any naked flames for fear of swift combustion).
Dan and Goffy opened the bowling, Robbie was given the duty
of sweeping the larger side of the field, and Liam was dispatched
to take his chance by the bowmen’s boundary. The Chepstow
openers showed few signs of disquiet as they progressed to
60-0 from the first 10, exploiting the gaps in the field and
the short side down the hill – Liam on several occasions
retrieving the ball during breaks in the archery.
The first changes of bowlers brought greater luck, as one
opener padded up to straight one from Rob, and the other was
removed by a combination of two of the Cazh ‘ringers’
(albeit about as far from the traditional definition of ‘ringer’
as possible) with Pabs taking the catch of Shakey’s
bowling. Shortly afterwards Shakes’ afternoon came to
a premature end, as a rapid return catch chance struck his
hand/wrist and rendered him unable to continue.
To this point, some slightly ‘generous’ umpiring
from square leg had seen batsman 3 avoid being run out and
stumped, but the following over saw batsman 4 depart to a
run out so clear that he made his own way back to the pavilion
without waiting for a decision.
Steady progress was made by both sides, Chepstow accumulating
runs with the Casuals taking fairly regular wickets –
Rob bowling batsman 5, before the secret weapon of Stevo came
on to take 2 wickets in his second over. Unfortunately there
was also a steady accumulation of dropped catches with Goff
(slip), Rob (caught and bowled), Jim (twice) and Shakey (technically)
all culpable. Batsman three who had had at least 3 ‘lives’
went on to 76 before retiring out to give the juniors at 9,
10 and 11 some time in the middle – time that was ultimately
short-lived as Robbie claimed two late wickets (and another
dropped catch).
A seemingly even innings saw Chepstow finish on 241.
Bowling
Dan 5-0-23-0
Goff 6-0-39-0
Rob 6-0-27-2
Shakes 2.1-0-13-1
Pabs 5-0-37-0
Stevo 5-1-20-3
Patrick 6-0-42-0
Robbie 3.5-0-22-2
Catches Pabs, Stevo; Run out Dan.
After the now customary BYO tea was consumed, and the new
shirts reviewed (pretty unpleasant lack of breathability)
the Casuals batting order was assembled with the ‘ringers’
sportingly left until last (particularly sporting as Shakes
was already homeward bound). Liam and Jim opened, enjoying
the best of the conditions as the junior bowlers took on the
attack. Well placed shots and well judged running brought
81 from the first 10 overs and there was a small scent of
possible victory.
This was unfortunately a false hope, as the Chepstow bowling
changes brought more of a challenge to the Casuals batsmen.
Jim fell in the 13th to the best of the bowlers, although
the next partnership between Robbie and Liam showed resistance
to bring the Cazh to 122-1 in the 18th.
What followed was a steady stream of wickets – Liam
caught and Stevo bowled for a ‘swift’ 2, and the
Cazh wobbling at 130-3 at drinks; Robbie was next, bowled
by the ‘strike’ spin bowler, Rob well caught in
the covers for 9, Patrick played on without troubling the
scorers, and the score now 152-6.
Dan and Goff took up the chase, with the spinner replaced
by a tall quick bowler, whose radar was not entirely on form
– Goff seen shuffling backwards to try and flick the
short ball to third man/avoid wearing one in the bucket hat.
Dan fell next to an lbw decision from umpire Stevo, followed
by Goff out caught. This brought the final partnership to
the crease – Pabs and Richie – with 53 needed
from the final 7 and a half overs. Sadly the ‘slowest
possible pair’ (not this correspondent’s words)
were only able to muster 2 of the 53 required as the Casuals
were bowled out for 191, having lost the final 9 wickets for
69 runs in 19 overs.
Despite this, a competitive game in the circumstances on
a rare sunny day this summer, and beers enjoyed by both sides
on the boundary edge at the game’s conclusion.
Jim caught 42
Liam F caught 43
Robbie bowled 22
Stevo bowled 2
Rob caught 9
Dan LBW 21
Patrick bowled 0
Goff caught 20
Pabs not out 1
Richie caught 1
Shakes absent injured
Total 191 all out (36.1 overs)
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