The Highway Hurricanes
— vs BTS

Captain Griff (2 defeats out of 4) was conspicuous by his absence so the responsibility of leading the “Highway 8” fell to Chris O’Brien who felt the conditions were right with D. Stagg and R. Griffiths absent to seize an attempted coup. However, he got off to a bad start by losing the toss under the trees. However, credit to C O’B as the extra responsibilities of being skipper were clearly ones he was taking seriously as when he lost the toss he took the defeat like a man- a stark contrast to what we have seen recently….. however he was heard to complain, “it’s not even a coin, it’s a f£££cking fake” (in fairness, it actually was). So, the Canes were put in to field (with only 8 men it was hardly a hard choice for the Vampires skipper to make) C O’B got everyone together and spoke about “playing for the shirt” and reminded everyone what it meant to be a Cane, he also assured some of the more stroppy members of the “Highway 8” that reinforcements were on the way.

Angle the Jack made no secret of his pleasure at the result of a certain football match that took place on the weekend and the rumour doing the rounds was he had brought a load of tangerines for the Canes to enjoy in the interval. When the Canes heard of this he was told politely where his tangerines would be shoved if the rumours were correct. No more was heard of the tangerines. Tonight was not the time for this anyway, with only 8 men present and the civil war seemingly about to erupt within the ranks anyway, the Canes had to be united tonight.

Angle and Bowen opened the bowling, with only 6 outfielders surely the runs would flow? Wrong! They bowled exceptionally tightly and the fielders were magically manoeuvred, at times it seemed that we had 12 men! The storm had been weathered and as promised the reinforcements did arrive. Griff turned up a few overs in, but by this time the legend had been created. The “Highway 8” had given it their all, every last drop of sweat, tears and blood had been given to keep the score down to a minimum under the encouragement of C O’B. Jeremy arrived shortly after then followed Phil Cadenne (who is keeping his views on the current leadership crises of the Canes to himself- could he be an outside bet to throw his hat into the ring?) I suppose you must be thinking- well if the “Highway 8” kept the score down so low, then with 3 seniors arriving, the runs must have dried up completely? Wrong again! Ironically the score rate then lifted as the Canes had 11 men? Who would skipper the side now? Well, at one point we had 3 or 4 captains it seemed. Jaffa found himself literally between 2 captains (he was square leg, Griff 3rd man and C O’B mid-wicket) and both were giving him different instructions! Jaffa held firm and ignored them both. Very diplomatic, but one wonders whether Jaffa missed a chance to take sides in this civil war? A player like Jaffa making a statement in favour of one of them could have brought the other down instantly, but in the interests of the team- well done Jaffa!

In fairness to the 3 late arrivals they all contributed. Griff took an excellent catch at long on, although never looked within a mile of it, but held it firmly (he did drop one later but it was a hell of an effort.) Jeremy got 2 wickets and Cadenne removed the danger men with a good spell of tight bowling. Jimmy stole the show with one of the best and most bizarre run outs I have ever seen. He was bowling and the ball was hit at rocket pace towards his ankle. I will try to explain what happened next- he jumped and with the instep of his right foot flicked it towards the bowlers end stumps- running out the non striker in the process. As Andy Gray would say, “take a bow son, take a bow.” (Those calling it a DC- hang your heads in shame) The innings drew to a close on 90 off 18 overs, the 3 senior late arrivals played their part but much credit must be given to the “Highway 8” for the spirit shown in the initial stages.

Griff and Jeremy opened, Griff fell to a good ball on 2, Bowen followed and after a big shot or 2 was dismissed then Nathan Rees similar although some of his shots do deserve a mention. The Canes appeared to be making hard work of the chase of 91, that was until J. Stagg walked to the crease, in a “cometh the hour, cometh the man” type entrance and developed a strong partnership with Jeremy that would surely have finished the game had he not retired on 30. Jeremy perished with single figures required leaving Angle and Cadenne to knock off the final runs after only 13 or so overs.

Griff showed signs “he is listening” to what his critics are telling him by congratulating Jeremy at the end of the match for a well played innings. Yes, that is correct, I heard it with my own ears- Griff congratulated Jeremy for a well played innings! What is he up to? It seems the mind games have well and truly began!

DCs and MOM- Well Griffs DC has to be included but it was a hell of an effort, J Staggs run out can not be included and there was one when keeper Greg was standing up and a bottom edge smacked him in the box. If this is to be included then the clarification on what a DC is really does need to be made clearer. MOM- well C O’Bs captaincy deserves a mention but as he didn’t bat or bowl or take any catches he can’t really be included, Jeremy got 2 wickets and batted well, Imran also deserves a mention for turning up as 12th man (word of the “Highway 8” must have reached him somehow, he obviously wanted to be a part of it) then umpiring the entire 2nd innings. All of the “Highway 8” deserve one final mention but MOM for bowling, THAT run out and 30 retired has to be J. Stagg.

As we left the field C O’B was gently reminding everyone his record as skipper is “100%”, will he be happy to back to being a foot solider in the rank and file after leading the 8 men so superbly? What about D. Stagg even, who is also on 100% this season? Will he be happy to serve under the current regime? Phil Cadenne’s views or intentions are currently unknown. However, my gut feeling is Griff has learned from his mistakes (he congratulated Jeremy ffs!) and will show bouncebackability to continue to lead the Canes- for the time being at least……

- Greg