Saints A vs Cobo Tigers Kris Mowheenenddurl.
Thursday 20/05/2010, Port Soif.

Report by Sir/ Master Goody (with a bit of editing from DJ)

Much has been said as to the rejig of the divisions this year and it’s had no bigger effect than on Cobo. Saints have been the only team in recent seasons to threaten to beat Cobo, despite them fielding pretty much an Island XI. Only on a few occasions has the game been a one sided affair. The new rules and regulations have forced Cobo to field a lesser side in the new Division 1 evening league format and it shows – the Cobo team that on the evening contained a few familiar faces and a good deal of the colts team that have played lower down the leagues in previous years.

Cobo weren’t the only side to be making radical changes to their side. After just three games, Saints were struggling to field 11. NewDJ and Cynthia both unavailable. Onagainoffagain Ben Driver, same. Lee Gallienne has done the dutiful and returned to his beloved (and struggling) Div 4 Strollers – seems a waste of a quality bowler, but such is life. Marc Guille is showing his true Saints colours by stepping up, again, and with OldDJ back from melting bits of metal together, Saints find themselves with 10 men. Not happy with that Brockback and Scrapdog pull out all the stops in finding their man – and after 2 years of assertion that he had retired, the Saints legend Phil “PC” Challenger is coaxed back in to donning the blue shirt and taking to the field for the mighty Saints. And what a sight it was. (Did we stitch two more shirts together again?)

So to the toss and for the first time in 2010, Scrappy tosses well. Cobo invited to bat. TJ Ozanne and Pete Vidamour to open, a less dominating pair that perhaps could have been up front. First ball for Noyon from the top end is a half volley (a good start), Vidamours eyes light up and smashes said half volley in the V – only to be superbly snared at mid off by young Olly Tapp. Great start for the Saints, Cobo 0 for 1. In comes Cobo’s only remaining Island representative Khris MOW herrhuandlal? (just pressed a few buttons there). MOW and TJ prod around for a bit, taking the score past 30, before Savage finds his rhythm, and bowls a beauty to TJ and knocking back his off stump. 30 odd for 2 and looking good for the Saints. Luke Nussbaumer next in. He and MOW produce a tidy partnership, running well and playing some good shots. The game looks to be slipping away when MOW is given the first of his many lives – dropped first by Goody off Kneller (tough chance!!) and then again by Scrappy on the boundary (tough chance also!!). Nussbaumer is adjudged LBW with the score on 112. MOW now tucking into the bowling – 5 sixes (including a four just tipped over the boundary by Scrappy for 6) – now into the 90’s. By this stage, the local posse from the Rockmount has gotten wind that their man is about to post a ton and from nowhere they’re all on the boundary rope awaiting the milestone. MOW duly chips into the leg side and brings up his hundred 105no – even if he was dropped 5 times on the way there. Would have been a totally different story without him, but nevertheless, 150-3 in 16 overs looks a daunting task.

Some confusion at the top of the order for Saints, sees regular opener DJ decidedly irregular and suffering from a bout of Delhi belly – Scrappy gives Spence the nod in his place and with RV strides out to the crease. Meanwhile DJ still struggling with his irregular bowl movements. The ever green Mike Kinder opens up for Cobo and the usually miserly now retired College Cricket master sees his first over disappear for 15. The runs continue to flow, both on the field and in the changing room as DJ takes his seat. Saints on a flyer and have raced to 35 off the first 2 overs. Quiet murmurings have started amongst the Saints faithful that we might just do a job here. Spenny and RV continue the assault off what has to be said some pretty average bowling, non the less both play some fluent shots in their partnership of 100. Excitement gathers pace on the boundary as DJ pops off to the gents again, Saints rattling along at 15 per over. As the score passes 100 spenny is undone by a full leg spinner form Nussbaumer. In goes the Saints’ Kolpack and Island player Ross “I didn’t get hit for six” Kneller, plays a lovely shot for one and is then bowled by a part time spinner at the other end. DJ emerges from the gents and walks gingerly to the crease still 40 required from the last 7 overs. When RV clips a leg stump HV to mid wicket a shot you would usually be adding 4 runs to the score for suddenly things have changed, 30 required and Olly and DJ in. These two play some nice shots and together with some positive running take us within 20 of victory. DJ senses another urge coming on and edges on to the keeper to pop off to the loo again. Goody walks out to join his former pupil at the crease 18 needed from 11 balls. They duly see the Saints home with only three overs to spare. A superb victory that keeps Saints in the hunt with the leaders.

Up the Saints. Who’s next?

Footnote:
The victory does leave some questions to be answered about the new system. It does seem a little ironic that a player who had been training in the ICC junior academy in Mumbai a winter previously and who had played in all of Guernsey’s ICC division 7 fixtures in the Island in 2009, as well as taking part in the division 6 tournament in Singapore was deemed not good enough to be ineligible to play in division 1. Looking at some of the other players selected in the list that are ineligible there may be some re-thinking to do.

Highlights:

Spenny 4-0-46-2

Spenny 56
RV 42