The Highway Hurricanes
— vs South Wales Echo

The canes arrived at Blackweir on the back of an emphatic performance against the Babar’s, rejuvenated with hope of another victory following a couple of dodgy performances. Griff lost the toss and we were made to field first, could this prove costly?! The very short debate ensued as to how many over’s were playable and 20 was decided.

The Canes took to the field itching to get the bowling arms in action, Mike D got in a nice couple of over’s to keep the scoring down and then Garroway partnered with a good spell and could have had a wicket or two to his name if Griff hadn’t got stuck in quick sand (living up to his reputation for turning like the QE2) and Nathan hadn’t hit another patch of quick sand on the opposite boundary! The shaky fielding early on continued as the Canes seemed more interested in getting in the report than winning the match. Nipper made his entry pulling a hamstring (looked like he’d been shot by a sniper in the Blackweir long grass)!! Rumour has it he was just after the can of bow on the sidelines!

The Echo were 34-0 off 6 over’s with opening partnership starting to get comfy…..but not for long! Enter Danny ‘The Demon’ Driscoll grabbing 2 quick wickets, firstly trapping the opener plum LBW and then cleaning out the left hander, clipping the top of off stop with an awesome flighted ball that left everyone stunned. Chris O’Brien then D.C.’d but made up for it catching a slog over the bowlers head. Greg stumped off Jeremy’s bowling as the batsman went for a wander and then followed with a catch off a looping top edge as Griffiths finished with a tidy spell. The Echo finished on a tidy score of 117 leaving the Canes 6 an over to tie the game up…..no problem surely?

The batting line up was rotated and with class being further down the lesser skilled of the two Nathans and Dave Stagg took to the middle. An early mix up nearly cost Mr Rees as Stagg refused an easy 2nd run, the legs aren’t what they used to be apparently. Nathan then settled in with a couple of boundaries including a superb 6 over square leg that sailed over the ropes. His confidence then got the better of him and he soon departed on 15. Enter Jeremy ‘Tippy Tap’ Evans who with trademark style blocked up the first ball!! Stag then put his foot down and hooked one from outside off stump back past the bowler to longest part of the leg side boundary for a classy 4. After 6 over’s the Canes were 33-1 compared to the Echo’s 34-0. The soft green wicket then played its part as one sat up and Stag was caught and bowled. Evans was then taken by Evans trying to hook down leg and departed with 9 off 18 balls showing consistency in his strike rate. The wickets began to tumble and the canes looked in trouble……not a cover drive in sight. Enter Garroway to face the Asian pace attack, with plenty of practice on India’s beaches maybe he should have hung about for a bit, but this wasn’t the case and he was soon back to the sidelines. Greg took to the field to partner Chris O’Brien who played the best innings he’s ever put on. Sending two early fours off the pace bowlers and laying Sundays double-duck demons to bed he looked solid, confident and well…very much like me. Now 53-3 off 10 compared to the Echo’s 57-2 the game was still in the balance. Some solid shots kept the scoreboard ticking over and the Canes now required 32 off the last 4 over’s. You could cut the atmosphere with a knife and you could see both teams were desperate to win. The leg side fielder made his contribution as Greg nutmegged him for 4!! Now down to 25 off 3 to win the shouts came from the pavilion and the shoulders were opened. Chris was then put down but it was a difficult catch. Now 101 off 18 the game got it’s first controversy. Cob smashed a 4 down the ground and hooked the next ball towards the leg side boundary; the fielder scampered backwards but quite clearly overstepped the boundary. Umpire D Stagg awarded the 6 and the celebrations by the fielders were brought to a prompt close. 2 now required off the last over and Chris nicked a single off the first, Greg then chipped to the fielder and departed. The batsmen crossed and Cob was facing with Mike D down the other end. My man of the match Chris O’Brien then sent a four down the ground (which the beaten fielder quite frankly couldn’t be bothered to chase) to finish on 45 N.O. Not quite a 50 for the bat but a great knock! Greg’s run a ball down the other end helped largely to up the rate and with a catch and stumping he was close runner for Man of the Match too as was Danny with another splendid display of bowling. Well done Canes, another victory and surely the league is calling?!!

Yours,

Jaffa

Man of the match

Will being bowled

Badger letting one go

A scoring shot from Jeremy

Jaffa makes his notes