Saints A vs Corinthians
27/05/10, KGV

By Owen Brock(back)

On a tropical, sunny, Thursday evening, Saints took to the field against their Wanderers stablemates looking to inflict a defeat which would allow the weekend boys bragging rights, and more importantly continue a fine winning streak which has seen us top of the league. Lily duly strode out to the middle with the oppo skipper, and no surprises – lost the toss. Saints were asked to set a total, which actually worked out rather well as Goody was at a meeting about little boys. (I have asked for an invite to the next one, but apparently it is priests and teachers only.)

First out of the hutch were an in form RV and Tappy (usual opener Spenny, being at a boozy lunchtime ‘AGM’). True to form, we got off to a solid start against one of the better opening bowling attacks in the league, both openers stroking the ball around nicely until Tappy slapped one straight to the only fielder with an arm in the Corinthians team with a confident ‘NO’ – RV unfortunately had better ideas and overruled him with a louder YES and set off for what can only be described as a suicidal run, suicidal that is for his batting Tappy anyway, and even the fastest athlete between the wickets on the team (Brocky), would have struggled to make it home – Tappy duly run out for 4. Next in Matt ‘The Welder’ Thornton, but unfortunately, whilst looking fairly comfortable, The Welder was soon triggered by the Ump for LBW, from one which I am reliably informed, hit him outside the line, and to be fair looked a little high, even on such a wee man. Ben “Lazarus” (-more about this later) Driver up next, and put on a healthy partnership with RV, who was more than making up for his earlier indiscretion. Things were looking good for a very competitive total until Lazarus fell trying to swipe a rank long hop to the boundary, but missed and was bowled but sadly for the oppo this only brought LittleBig (aka Cynthia) to the crease, new willow in hand, and proceeded to smash the balls to all parts. RV fell for an excellent 40 bowled by a carrot. Out strode Brocky, keen to at least maintain his average of 2. Singles a plenty meant that Cynthia was kept on strike and proceeded to hit some glorious 4’s with Rolex timing and come the end of the 20th over had amassed an excellent 73 of 45 balls including 10 fours, Brocky weighing in with a four off the last ball (his first of the season) – honest, I played a late cut on the last ball! Saints had set a very defendable 178 from 20.

New ball partnership of Lily and Lazurus opened with a good spell, which included the wicket of the carrot well caught by Doddy at the second attempt. This brought together the only 2 batsmen who realistically had any chance of saving the game for Corinthians, and proceeded to bat sensibly whilst still putting the odd bad ball away. Cynthia was brought on to attempt to stem the flow of runs and whilst generating good pace and bounce managed to induce an edge which Lazarus was very close to plucking, but in diving backward caught his knee in the ground for what looked like a very nasty injury. Play was suspended whilst his worried team mates crowded round, deciding whether or not an ambulance was needed (Lazarus at this time was rolling around threatening to be sick and obviously in a lot of pain, as the squealing like a little girl would have seemed to have testified). Once it was established that an ambulance was not required (as this would have cost Lazarus a few quid), the game was able to continue, with miraculously Lazarus able to continue in the field. Doddy into the attack, and after softening up the there number 3 with a few balls that were duly smashed to the boundary, managed to get one through with some extra pace which induced the edge and gobbled up by Goody, game over methinks. Still their opener was at the crease and whilst there we were never home and dry. Due to Spenny still being at his boozy ‘AGM’ Chris ‘Mr Saints’ Fisher was brought on to bowl and bowled a tidy few overs increasing with confidence with every ball, with the run rate increasing sharply and now up beyond 15 an over, and with a ray of sun shine breaking through, Lazarus (Halleluiah) was brought back into the attack. I could have sworn he had broken his knee earlier, but it seems miracles do indeed happen. Their opener still not quite believing what he was seeing (I think he had tears in his eyes), missed a straight one and the game was well and truly up. Lazarus managed another wicket with the helping of a tidy stumping from Goodie. With only the formalities to be completed, and 30 needed off the final 2, Lily was happy to see Cynthia restrict the batsmen to 5, taking the pressure off. Lily then joined the wicket party with a couple in the final over. Just desserts arguably, after having a couple of very tough (for very tough read very catchable) 1/2 chances put down by our specialist fielder yours truly in extra cover, way outside his comfort zone of the 45 on the leg side, in the previous over.

All in all, a comfortable win, which sets up nicely for the top of the table clash with Rovers next week. Contributions from everyone – fielding was especially good with Marc “Guillo” Guille and a sprightly looking veteran RV diving around the outfield saving runs everywhere and building the pressure. Great banter and atmosphere on and off the pitch. Well done to all, special mention to Cynthia for a cracking knock and some excellent bowling, long may it continue.

Up the Saints!

Highlights:

PB&J 73*
RV 40
Badger 23

Badger 4-0-40-3
Scrappy 4-0-28-3
Doddy 4-0-28-1