“But out of the ashes of defeat would also come great success.”
Edward L. Buford (1842-1928)
And so it proved on an overcast evening at Caydelyn Park. Crack Willows team Rhiwbina were looking to bounce back after a run of 4 league defeats against supposed weaker opposition.
The Canes were put into bat and were soon 2 for 1 off the opening over. Griff was caught at gulley for 2 and Jaffa clean bowled for a golden duck. Jimmy (29) and Bowen (23) steadied the ship but when they fell the runs dried up and the wickets fell at regular intervals. Only 26 runs were scored by the last 7 batsmen including a 2nd ball duck from Sully that completed his pair. This left the Canes on a measly 103 off 18.1 overs.
Bowling and fielding needed to be tight if the Canes were not to be embarrassed by their more illustrious opposition. Things started well but Rhiwbina were always on top of the run rate. A mix up from the openers gave Nathan Rees an easy run out, and Sully (8 runs from 2 overs) bowled a fine spell, bowling with cunning and guile that had the Rhiwbina captain coming forward then back then forward again. The flight of the ball was such that Sully’s ability to cause chaos and confusion in even the most level headed players, in fact anyone’s mind at any time had the batsman asking questions of himself that he didn’t even know existed. The cameras in his head seemed somehow seemed to penetrate the Rhiwbina captains’ judgement and our psychiatric nurse won the battle. Lewis (1 for 10 off 2) followed this up with aggression and pace and trapped the poor captain LBW before he had a chance to readjust after Sully’s metal assault.
The next batsman put on a good 38 partnership which looked to have won the match. Griff dropped an easy chance from Jaffa (0 for 21 off 2) but the Canes never lost their heads and an inspired piece of fielding from a full length diving drop from Lewis resulted in a sharp run out from COB behind the stumps. Despite the heroics Rhiwbina only needed 26 runs off 7 overs and still had 7 wickets in hand. What followed next is the stuff of legends.
Clive was brought into the attack and produced a stunning display of pace bowling clean bowling 3 for a hat trick in his first over. Sully then took a stunner off Garraway’s bowling, catching the ball over his shoulder despite looking the opposite way, the cameras in his head were working overtime. Clive came back on and took a double wicket maiden (5 for 1 off 2) thanks to another great catch from Bowen. The Canes went nuts thinking the match was over. The poor outgoing batsman showed his frustration by hurling his bat then gesturing in an aggressive manner to the celebrating Canes in a display not seen since the Casuals bearded batsman had to be restrained by his misses after Clive bowled a bouncer down Caydelyn in 2006. The last batsman arrived at the crease and Jimmy, ever the professional, bowled a bouncer that the No 11 could only glove in the air to Chris behind the stumps.
A 10 run victory that never looked on the cards produced wild celebrations. Every wanted a photo of Clive with ‘that ball’. Clive even came out for a pint after the match and was last seen outside the Halifax in town with Dave Stagg and Jay looking for lap dancers.
5 for 1 Clive with ‘theball’
The Scorecard
Danny — July 3, 2009 at 9:57 am
I love Clive – I want to have his babies.
Griff — July 3, 2009 at 10:02 am
Me too. I’m changing my morgage, bank account and insurance policies over to the Halifax. I know he means buisness, i can trust him in crisis and he’ll always come through for me.
jimmy — July 5, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Best match since Clytha 2007.
Jeremy Sparkes — July 6, 2009 at 11:34 am
Gr8 win lads but you may come to rue the comment abt Rhiwbina having lost League games to supposed weaker opposition – as it was the Cavaliers who beat them most recently and ejected them from the Willow Cup, this is taking journalistic licence to the extreme so I must point out that the only L in your results column in an otherwise magnificent season for you was against the Cavaliers so come on, lads, respect where it is due, please. See you later in the month. Cheers. J
Griff — July 6, 2009 at 7:18 pm
I appologise if you’ve taken offence Jeremy but what i was trying to say was that we were the supposed weaker opposition Rhiwbina were hoping to beat to regain some form.
PS Nice photo of you in the Rhiwbina times this month!
Jeremy Sparkes — July 7, 2009 at 10:18 am
Ah, Danny has explained to me abt the punctuation – skooling aint wot it useda be, eh – whatever the linguistic niceities, still a cracking win.
Jaffa — July 7, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Jez, just to clarify, losing to your boys earlier this year left a bitter taste in the mouth of many-a-’Cane, especially seeing as we targetted an unbeaten season this year. I look forward to doing battle again soon and avenging this defeat to bring home the C&H trophy my friend!!