After what seemed like a long winter (and, judging by the weather conditions for the fixture, one that wasn’t quite finished yet), we are back in action again. Our destination for the season opener is Lordswood Sports and Social Club to play their 3rds (with some 4ths mixed in). Stone had previously played here (against the aforementioned 4ths) back in 2015 and a good time was had by all accounts. It’s certainly a good venue and we were playing on the main square. Unexpectedly, but understandably (given the social club), there was some kind of event happening on the football pitches on the far side of the grounds, so we were accompanied all afternoon by a selection of pop hits from the 1980s and 1990s.
The skipper called the wrong way at the toss but it didn’t matter really as they asked us to bowl first in a 40-over game. Chungy and Benty opened the bowling and the latter struck in just his second over to take a sharp return catch off one of their openers. Chungy dispatched the other opener in the next over, courtesy of a decent catch by Harry. Benty was replaced by Ryan after his opening couple, with the skipper opting to keep him in reserve for a burst later on. Mike took a second wicket, this time caught by Tom P, in the penultimate over of a fine 6-over spell. All told, things were shaping up well, with the oppo on 37-3 off the first 12 overs. Chungy was replaced by debutant Ram, who sets out his stall right from the off, getting their Number 4 off the last ball of his first over, caught by Ross at midwicket. Ryan’s turn comes in the eighteenth over when he strikes twice –one taken by that man Ross again and the other a plumb LBW to get rid of the Number 7 for a duck. His spell was very consistent – 2-23 off 8 overs (including two maidens). Ram takes another wicket in his fourth (and final over) to finish on 2-11. Harry joins the fray and teases a snick behind from their Number 9 in his second over, safely pouched by Dave. The oppo stage a recovery with a very solid stand which neither Tom, me or a returning Benty can break. Walkie finally removes their Number 8 for 31 (another catch for Ross), before a determined tenth-wicket partnership sees them through to the finish, with a total of 148/9.
There is a tea, courtesy of the social club, whose facilities also ensure that there are various drink options to accompany the grub… This would prove helpful as the temperature on the sidelines during the latter stages of the game plummeted and a couple of pints helped fend off frostbite.
Our reply is led by the skipper and Stumpy at the top of the order. The bowling is reasonably effective – not many runs off the bat, but chances to pick up extras when they present themselves. Alas, the pressure builds as the overs tick by and Jordan attempts to relieve some it with a big shot in the seventh over (with the score on just 11) but is clean bowled by one keeping a bit low. Chungy comes in at Number 3 but can’t add anything before he too is bowled (by the other opening bowler) in the next over. Ross picks up a few runs at Number 4 but is then also bowled by the same chap, leaving us 22/4 by the end of the tenth over. The oppo switch up their bowling at this point and they remain economical, getting Ram caught for 2 with the score on 34/5 after 17 overs. Tom P comes in and has a good go, hitting 17 off 27 balls before he is bowled. Walkie departs at the end of the same over (strop ahoy) and Harry joins the defiant Dave in a mood to counterpunch. He whacks 24 off his 15 balls faced, including four 4s and a whopping big 6, before he too is bowled. Ryan hits a watchful 17 before one gets past his bats and cleans him up with just one ball left. Benty joins Dave to see it home – Dave finished on 32* (from 184 balls, with one 4). We finish on 128/9, falling short by just 21 runs.
There is a bit of a chat over post-game drinks about various good points arising from the game. Harry gets to cuddle Big Pat for his batting, his wicket and his catch. I’m not sure that the Golden Shite was awarded, to be honest. Despite the loss, we are upbeat about the season in prospect. Surely the weather can only improve…
– Paul