Far From The MCC
~ Est. in 1998 ~
“Thorn Finds Form
Just in Time for Winter Break”
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Friday 3rd
September 2010 |
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Result: Won by 23 Runs |
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Venue: Jordan Hill |
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20 overs |
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FFTMCC |
127 - 7 |
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T. Smith 39,
D. Emerson 37 |
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OUP |
104 - 4 |
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M. Reeves 1 - 4 |
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It
was a rather battered and bruised FFTMCC who arrived at Jordan Hill. Coming
off the back of four straight defeats the team were low on confidence, but
looking to halt the traditional post tour slump. Playing
evening 20/20 games in September is always a risky business, however
sunny(ish) skies and a prompt 5pm start presented a good chance of the game
being completed. Captain Moo won an important toss and had no hesitation is
electing to bat. The skip’s stated intention has always been to mix things up
in the shorter format of the game and he was good to his word here, sending
out none too regular openers D. Emerson (37) and J. Hoskins (0).
Hoskins is bowled stepping to leg
(to avoid any lbw decision). After
Hoskins’ premature departure Emerson was joined by T. Smith (39). These two
batsmen share similar traits. Both promise much and seem to have all the
skills necessary to excel “at this level” however recently neither have
consistently lived up to their potential. Today was different though and both
dude quickly hit their stride, Dave hitting three fours in consecutive balls
and Thornton one mighty six. The partnership put on 64 and provided a solid
platform to launch into the final nine overs.
Thorn’s cover drive was a text
book showcase. It
was downhill from there though as D. Edwards (5), C. Roberts (9), N. Hebbes
(5) and I. Leggate (0) gave a good impression of an early nineties England
team. It was finally left to M. Reeves (3no) and J. Pearson (8no) to briefly
protect their averages. Reeves in particular put the emphasis on protection
as he chose, in the 19th over, to leave a ball about 18 inches
outside off stump. His team mates were very appreciative of his Edwardsesque
safety first approach. With 21 extras, a defendable 127 was reached. The big
question was, would the skip’s decision to leave himself and Howarth in the
hutch be vindicated? Surely he would take a hammering in the press if OUP
reached their target. As
the sun began to set over leafy
25p fine – J. Hoskins –
impersonating a wicketkeeper. Pearson
(4-0-18-1), Howarth (3-1-5-1) and Reeves (2-0-4-1) limited the hosts to just
29 off the first nine overs and from there they were always struggling to
chase the game. During this passage of play OUP’s
last realistic hope laid with their danger man C. Heron. He was undone LBW
for just 2, by Westmoreland (4-0-19-1) which left our skip revising his
calculations of what it would take to beat Hoskins’ season record wicket
haul. Games are running out and every wicket counts.
The Jordan Hill bar opens to
signal the end of the match. From
there it was left to Hebbes (2-0-15-0), Smith (2-0-13-0) and Leggate
(3-0-28-1) to fight it out over the buffet, but the game was by now well and
truly up. OUP finished on 104-4 and the Mad registered their first win since
8th August. Despite the on-set of Autumn the light remained good.
After the game the two teams met to reflect that season 2010 will soon be a
distant memory. Thorn and Emerson will have plenty of time to sit huddled
round one bar electric fires through the long, cold, football obsessed winter
months and convince themselves that this was no flash in the pan. They really
are on the threshold of a searing run of form and season 2011 is bound to
bring at least 1000 runs. Hope it keeps you warm boys.
The sun goes down on the final
game of the OUP season. ‘Reevsie’ |
*
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No
Fines on this Day |
MOTM: T. Smith’s runs
Champagne Moment: T. Smith’s
six over cow
Buffet Award: