Saints A vs Cobo
KGBV, 8/7/10

Report by DJ

The difference a week makes. After consecutive losses in the last 2, we were keen to put things right with a win against Cobo. Continuing the recent trend of a complete inability to field a side consisting of more than a handful of registered A team players, however, Scrappy and George once again maxed out their phonebooks in pulling together a side. It’s why I love this club – even having played two or more games already this week, the boys will still turn out, no questions asked. Making their 2010 Season debut for the A’s were Jimmy “Furbrush” Ferbrache and Tim “Timbo” McNab. Back for some more action – Chris “Oooh me guts” Hurley, John “Purderino” Purdy and Al “I’ll catch anything” Streeting.

Scrappy won a good toss and, obviously confident in the strength of his bowling attack, duly inserted the oppo. Scrap opened up top, with a tight first over. At some point during said first over, however, he must have looked about the pitch and realised that he was the only recognised A team bowler. So he did what any sensible captain would do – tossed the ball to yours truly. You could literally hear Stenner’s ringpiece tighten and as he feared for his fingers. “Right arm hope for the best”, I said to the Umps. First over not disastrous – apart from a very slow and wide one which got duly carted. Scrapp completed a second over – score about 15 off the 3. DJ’s second over somehow found a bit of extra zip and even managed to shape the odd one away. Bugger this, thought the batsmen and tried to heave one out of the ground, only to catch a bottom edge and play on. Magic – DJ strikes. Next over and somehow DJ manages to tempt TJ in to going for a wipe outside off, only to see it expertly snaffled by Alex “Collingwood” Streeting at point. Ishy in to the action at the other end and soon had a scalp. DJ finished off his spell and returned a quite reasonable (and unexpected) 4-0-15-2. Tappy took over and soon found his stride and with Ishy and next change JP bowling a tight line, the batters really struggled to get anything away, and anything that did get off the square was neatly collected in the field by Hurls, McNabbo and Ferbracherino. The score eeked along and with the Saints bowlers taking wickets – Tappy one for a steepling catch by RV; Ishy and JP going the more direct route and mangling the stumps – Cobo never looked like posting a decent total. And it really didn’t help when a suicidal run took on Jimmy Furbrush’s arm – big mistake – direct hit to see him several miles short of the crease. A little of bit of last minute hitting was sorted out by Scrappy – Cobo finishing on 92/6 off their 20. None of the Saints bowlers went for more than 20 – a sterling effort with the ball.

Scarily remiscent of recent games where we’ve been tasked with chasing a low total, the boys were determined not to let the gremlins get in the way. A shake up of the order saw Stenners and Tappette opening up. Stens was quickly away in his inimitable style with Tappy looking like he had a pound of ants down his trousers. They obviously had a nibble on something as he was soon running of the park with not much left of his stumps. RV strode in – Cobo knew that their best chance was to unseat the veteran. They tried the best – RV collecting a ball to the lid first up, but it was a schoolboy mistake – that sort of bowling is only going galvanise the wily ex-Island player in to innings-making form. Stenners found the boundary a couple of times before holing out; 40 odd for 2 – enter DJ. With the Saint Martins loss still in the forefront, RV and DJ set about making sure – at less than 3 required, it was just a case of seeing it out. And once Cobo’s only recognised A string bowler was seen off, plus their 10 men fielding, there were plenty of gaps to be had. The ball was knocked about neatly and took full advantage of their rather lacklustre fielding, and the bad balls, of which there were a few, were promptly dispatch to the boundary.

With around 10 needed for the victory, DJ was dubiously adjudged to have been caught behind for 24. Timbo McNab went in and did enough with RV (30*) to see the Saints home with some 7 overs to spare. It’s always nice to beat Cobo (especially twice in a week having done it in the T20) although the team faced bared very little resemblance to the Cobo of old, and rather raises questions about whether we’re really playing Division 1 cricket this year. But nevertheless, a win is a win. Once again, big love and huge thanks to all the lads who turned out to prop up the A team – you continue to do us all proud and demonstrated that you can more than hold your own.

Rest week next week – Corinthians the week after. Up the Saints.

Highlights:

Scrap 4-0-1?-1
DJ 4-0-15-2
Ishy 4-0-1?-1
Tappy 4-0-1?-1
JP 4-0-19-0

RV 30*
DJ 24
Stenners 1?