GREG’S TAKE ON THE MATCH – It was a tranquil afternoon at Heath Park and the Canes arrived at over and above full strength once again. Having frustratingly been made to watch from the sidelines for the convincing win over Peterston at Ceadelyn super quick bowler Clive Campbell and wicket keeper Greg arrived super early to ensure they would be considered for selection for this game. Danny Driscoll bravely volunteered to give St Fagans a helping hand and a mate D Stagg brought along made up the numbers for the opposition. Griff won the toss (silencing all those in the Canes who believe he is a useless tosser) and elected to toss with a strong batting line up sat behind him.
The 2 Chris’s opened the batting and Chris O’Brien faced first ball of the innings. This also turned out to be his last ball of the match as he ‘middled’ one straight to cover and the fella managed somehow to hold on to it. Curiously, Jaffa and Lewis found this hilarious on the sidelines and at one point were literally rolling around laughing. Whatever happened to team spirit lads? Clive Campbell was rewarded with his early arrival with a number 3 batting spot, he looked comfortable enough but was bowled following an unfortunate inside edge. This brought to the crease fellow early arriver Greg Nicholas who recognised the need for the ship to be steadied. The ship was indeed steadied at the point Jeremy Evans arrived but unfortunately would not be allowed to bat as arrived too late. Greg continued his best Jeremy impression before following it up with a Lewis impression as he started to hit 4s and straight 6s all over the place. Griff umpiring at square leg was aghast. Chris was steady but perished bringing Super Sully to the crease who after looking set for a quick 30 ran himself out on 7. Jaffa joined Greg and was in no mood to mess around. He swung at everything, hitting some, missing some, but it was what was required. Greg tried to copy Jaffa but fell on 26. Enter D Stagg who knocked the ball around effortlessly and ended the innings on 18 not out. Jaffa fell victim to a ‘massive genuine edge’ unfortunately for Griff he walked as Griff stood umpiring with a huge grin chasing Jaffa off waving his finger (the team spirit question comes up again?) Jimmy looked set to destroy the opposition and did so until having 5 dot balls in a row then fell for 17- again! Griff entered, and got to 30 retired with some good clean hitting and Griff and D Stagg looked incredibly relaxed and confident together. That is until D. Driscoll came on to bowl and they just carefully knocked it around for a single as desperate not to perish at the record breaking Canes bowlers expense. The Canes ended on 153, surely a winning score?
St Fagans opened the innings and did not look entirely confident of ever getting the runs. Even less so when Jeremy Evans came on to bowl and recorded match winning figures of 3 wickets for 2 runs in 2 overs, including a 2 wicket maiden. Captain Griff unbelievably was heard to say he shouldn’t have bowled him, (team spirit problem number 3?) Jeremys spell included 2 stumpings in an over from keeper Greg. Jaffa was harshly criticised for refusing to attempt to dive 30 yards for a catch and Greg later received similar treatment (team spirit problem number 4?) Lewis however received nothing but praise for a superb catch running 30 yards in from the infield to take it safely just inches off the ground. This is surely a main contender for catch of the season and it will take some effort to beat it. The bowling was tight until they bizarrely sent in their most dangerous and destructive player at number 7, (no not Danny, they saved him till last) who took matters into his own hands and destroyed everyone. D Stagg had him dropped by the keeper and was visibly devastated when the batsmen reached 30 and had to retire as were all the other players who had suffered from him. The Glenwood calls rang out from Griff- until he came on to bowl that is. What happened next will go down in Canes history- Griff had a catch dropped by Chris at cover, who the ball seemed to follow throughout the innings, then Will who made a welcome return to the DC league as he dropped one the very next ball. On Griffs ‘hat trick’ ball he bowled the batsmen cueing immediate and passionate debate as to whether or not it was a hat trick or not? The traditionalists (everyone apart from Griff) argued that a hat trick was when you got 3 wickets in 3 balls, not created 3 chances, while others (well just Griff actually) seemed to believe it was a hat trick. The debate is sure to run and run. Danny came to the crease for the last ball and denied Griff his 4 in 4 or 2 in 2 depending on who you side with. Clive also looked dangerous and bowled well, Jeremy took it upon himself to even the game up by throwing the ball at Clives face when he wasn’t looking. Unbelievable behaviour (team spirit problem number 5- throwing ball at team mates face when not looking?) In the end it was a comfortable enough win for the Canes.
It was an enjoyable game played in good spirit but the team spirit concerns really are a growing concern. Is Griff the man to unite the troops in these crucial times? Results suggest he is but some seem yet to be convinced and Jaffas recent awarding of the man of match award to D Stagg for captaining 8 overs far better than Griff ever could have done little to kill rumours of a planned coup by the rank and file.
However, there were certainly no concerns about Griffs individual performance tonight and while Jeremy made a good case for man of match with his bowling, Lewis’s catch and D Staggs batting must be considered, begrudgingly the man of the match award has to go to Captain Griff who even if he did have to be reminded of the etiquette of applauding a batsman to the wicket by his team mates (team spirit problem number 6?) led the Canes to a convincing victory, got 30 not out and in the interests of diplomacy lets just say bowled tightly at the end.
Greg
GRIFF’S TAKE ON THE MATCH – From a personal point of view and for the team the match was a huge success though individuals may feel they let the side down at times, St Fagans won the toss and we batted.
No fireworks to speak of, COB got a golden duck caught out again by a 60 year old stunner (COB 0 Angel 1), Greg tippy tapped and ran Sully out, every one else swung the bat got into double figures before walking back to the pavilion including Jaffa who was only dropped twice this week. The crowd really got on their feet when the in form captain strolled out to meat Dave Stagg in the middle with the team on 104 for 7 from 15 overs. Boundaries were smashed from both players with Griff going leg side, a stunning 30 off 16 balls, and Dave running down the pitch with crazy eyes fixed on the ball. A respectable 153 off 20.
The bowling went well for a bit. It pains me to say it but Jeremy took 3 wickets then took out our retuning pace man, not with a racist joke this time but by throwing the ball at his right eye, smashing his glasses. We were cruising until their batter came in at number 7 to partner the Wiley old fox who ran Sully out. Boundaries soon followed, Angle got spanked for 20 odd of 2 overs (COB 1 Angle 1) then dropped a catch and had a few misfields, (COB 2 Wrong Angle 1). Greg dropped the big hitter and failed to attempt a catch from a lobed shot, watch the pies Greg they’ve cost you the MoM this week. Griff should have got a hat trick but for drops from Angle (COB 3 Anger 1) then the ever reliable Garraway.
The match was captained superbly by the most successful leader the ‘Canes have seen. Organizing the troops superbly and leading from the front with bat, ball and in the field, the inventor of fabled ‘Glenwood’ call and tactically astute user of the slower bowler. The only signs of displeasure from the loyal ranks were that he didn’t clap the new batsman in as he stepped over the boundary but preferred to wait until the Batsman neared the crease.
The MoM the match call was an easy one but as I can’t have it I’ll give it to Nippers dog. She looks healthy, barked in recognition of my 30 off 16 balls (which is more than my teammates did), made no mistakes and didn’t prompt me once to applaud the new batsman before he’d even put his pads on!
Griff
jimmy — June 18, 2009 at 8:44 pm
I’m not convinced you invented the ‘Glenwood’ call.
Griff — June 19, 2009 at 11:00 am
No one got off their seat when i came in to bat either but that didn’t stop me from writing it.