The Canes arrived at Blackweir for a game against the Casuals and were made to field first- despite only having 8 players and The Casuals having a full 11- this was an early sign that the Casuals were up for this one. Still, the Canes took to the field and made a solid start with the wicket doing plenty, the boundaries impossible to see and the outfield not great.
Stagg’s mate ‘Mouth’ offered to field for us (well D.Stagg made him despite him clearly saying, “you said you wouldn’t make me play again!”) and sure enough was placed at Cover where he saw plenty of action in the first over. The opening batsman played a drive which went just past Mouth and the opening batsman initially declined the run- what was going on I thought? He then turned to me and said, “Jeez, I didn’t know he was fielding!” I guess this was because he had jeans on, but I did ask him what he thought that man between mid off and point was doing on the cricket pitch if he wasn’t fielding? He either didn’t hear me or muttered something like “sarcy git” under his breath- could have been either. Anyway, Griff and his cousin Matt arrived and the Canes were doing ok. However, the opening bat went on to make 70 odd (after being dropped 4 times- twice by Sully, twice by Bowen (yes twice by Bowen).) In fairness to them all 4 were difficult as he was hitting the ball hard but still- plenty of work for Jimmy to do today updating the DC league.
The Casuals then had some big overs, with some huge sixes, everyone could scratch their head as much we liked but when someone is putting the ball a good 30 yards past the boundary line- there is not a great deal you can do really? Griff in particular was hit for one of the best and biggest sixes I have ever seen, (couldn’t happen to a nicer guy Jaffa said- cruel, cruel) but he did capture his man the very next ball with a good catch from his cousin. Apart from that one ball Griff went for next to nothing, and Normy and Jimmy opened well also. However, bowler of the innings has to be Bowen for slowing the runs down, not bowling a single ball down leg side while still bowling way too quick for any of the batsman- in fact I think almost every single ball came through to me to take.
The outfield may not have helped but there were plenty of fumbles and overthrows in the field- a long with the wides- these were to end up costing us. The Causals ended on 142 off the 18 overs- a decent score but not an impossible one. Myself and Jaffa opened and think its fair to say got off to a slowish start against some decent bowling, with everything straight or just outside off at a decent speed. I departed in the 3rd over and it was time for C O’B to enter. Fireworks were sure to happen as in the previous encounter vs the Causals C O’B had been described as “Their No 6 then strode to the crease in possession of the ‘eye of a sh!t house rat’ and started banging it around (mainly off middle stump) to both Will’s and my dismay. He played some seriously ugly cricket shots, but effective he was and the score was rattling along.” I know, I know, doesn’t sound anything like C O’B at all does it? However, that is how they described him so he was determined to prove them wrong. However, walking to the crease with a new black eye didn’t exactly do a great deal to challenge their description of him!
C O’B and Jaffa ticked along, although quite slowly against decent bowling and the game was running away. C O’B was involved in a big appeal for caught behind, which Sully turned down, then the keeper said, “well it came off something” to which C O’B replied, “Yeah? Off f£££cking what then?!” That was the end of that particular dialogue. Jaffa perished trying to open his arms, Jimmy fell to the ball of the night, (it either turned a mile or hit the big divot in the wicket- my money’s on the divot) then D. Stagg entered and made it look so easy racing to 28 by charging down the wicket and displaying some clean hitting. He overtook C O’B in no time at all and it was game on- then he was out and it was game over. The Canes needed about 50 off the last 3- a big ask but we came within 20 runs. There was some late excitement with Griff having to walk out to be a non striker for the last ball of the innings, he was called for 2 runs and was very nearly run out without facing- would have played havoc with the averages but Griff just about got home. Not that this was in any doubt however as the Casuals did everything possible several times to make sure nobody would be run out.
In conclusion, we lost to a decent side but it was close and should have been closer. Without the DC’s, little bit of tighter fielding and fewer wides we could have snatched it. So to MOM- well Griff deserves a shout for his bowling but being hit for the biggest 6 in history rules him out, Bowen bowled very well but had 2 DCs, so I would have to give it to the only batsman who got us close and made it look easy- yes step forward Mr D. Stagg to claim the award.