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2nd XI v Fettes
by Our Wet Weather Reporter - Amber Ellarup
Last week was obviously an aberration in the weather - this Wednesday it returned to normal Scottish summer conditions and the rain was sent on a stiff westerly. Lovely.
But were the 2nd XI deterred? Not on your life. If there’s a cricket game to be played then the stalwarts of the team would play it.
A few changes had been made by the boardroom - players weren’t sacked but just rested to allow others the honour of turning up for the 2nds.
Cap Heck won the toss and put Fettes into the field and sent Douglas ‘The Bug’ Donaldson (minus shades this week) and Henry ‘Lefty’ Roberts to open the innings. Lefty was a tad nervous as he has never opened before and had been seen pleading with the Coach to let him go in No 3, but all his persuasive powers were not enough. (Not enough cash was offered,I presume? Ed)
The Fettes' bowling was quite good and the pitch had some vicious lift in it - add to that the damp grass and a lack of front foot play by the batsmen - and runs were not swift in arrival.
Lefty decided to prove that the opening spot was not for him and swung mightily across the line, having stepped smartly to leg for a good length off stump delivery. The inevitable happened and the off stump bail went merrily on its way towards the keeper. Lefty was not so merry on his trudge of shame to the pavilion.
With the score at 1 for 4, Andrew ‘Flourish’ Watson took guard and proceeded to make some interesting strokes. Some connected, some did not. But those that did connect scored runs and the scoreboard began ticking over again.
Obviously The Bug needs sunshine to keep his eye in, for today he was playing shots far too early and dollied up a nice catch for cover to hold on to. Oh, dear; 2 for 9.
But The Brewer strode to the crease and all breathed a sigh of relief - here was the batsman to slog a few runs and put Fettes on the back foot. Whoever wrote the script was obviously not writing a starring part for the Brewer, as his second ball was hit high towards close mid on; he called for a run (2nd XI coaching manual always encourages batsmen to run on a high catch as it might very well put the fielder off) though whether The Flourish heard him or not is a moot point, as he didn’t move. The fielder dropped the ball (proof that 2nd XI coaching manual works) and The Brewer found himself three quarters of the way down the wicket running towards a stationary Flourish. An abrupt skid, about turn and a scamper towards his own set of stumps was not enough as the fielder had recovered the ball and the keeper took the bails off.
3 for 11. Things did not look good and the heavier rain did nothing to lift the spirits of the batting side. Would Cap Heck be able to reverse the situation? He’s not called Heck for nothing as he produced a heck of a shot repertoire and the scoreboard began to move along. When it was eventually stopped it was showing 48 runs. A magnificent 37 partnership by Heck and the Flourish which sadly had to end as Heck played far too soft a shot to a rank long-hop and was caught by mid on.
Jake ‘Numbers’ Hoyer Millar ambled to the wicket in a languid manner. He had already computed the number of balls left in the 20 over innings and having studied the bowling intensely knew the velocity and angle of momentum his bat had to swing. Best laid plans etc. as he heard his off stump clattering while his bat had taken a leisurely swipe down the leg side. “Should have kept scoring for the 1sts”, was being muttered on his way to the pavilion.
The slight figure of Lachlan Ferrand bounced onto the wicket, took guard and hit his first ball smartly through the covers. He still doesn’t know how he managed it but he scored his first run of the season and equalled his highest score for the 2nd XI. Wonders upon wonders he scored a few more and with The Flourish encouraging him to run Lachlan notched up his highest ever score of 7 not out. His ears must have been ringing from the cheers of encouragement (or astonishment? Ed) and the only reason he did not score more was that the 20 overs were up and it was time for tea.
Once again W. Ides (the greatest run maker the 2nds have ever known) was the top scorer with 26 - impressive. No wonder the Coach selects him every match!
With 81 to beat Fettes would have to contend with our opening pair of bowlers - The Brewer and The Bug.
After two wides as precursors, (always lull them into a false sense of security by bowling a couple of rubbish deliveries - Coaching Manual chapter 4, page 124) The Brewer tempted the batsman to dolly one up to The Flourish who did not drop it. Two dot balls and then The Brewer bowled the next two batsmen out for no runs. A triple wicket over only spoilt by the two initial wides.
What a start. The Bug took two wickets in his second over. Generating a fair deal of pace, trapped the first LBW and with the help of Jamie MacD at deep point had the second caught. With the score at 5 for 7 the Cap decided to give a few more bowlers a chance to share in the bonanza.
Everyone, bar the keeper, then had an over and although no-one took a wicket, runs were not scored quickly - though there were four dropped catches in these 8 overs. ‘Lefty’ Roberts turned the ball well and was unlucky not to get a wicket or two, but when The Flourish came on for his second stint he took two wickets in that over complimenting The Bug who had returned and stung the opposition with another wicket as well.
It only took another 2 overs to get the wickets, both of them taken by The Bug who made a five wicket haul - all great stuff.
Well done The Heck for orchestrating yet another win and allowing all the team to be involved in one way or another. His shouts of encouragement from behind the wicket are truly inspiring and must be continual pain in the proverbial for the batsmen. Hee hee - just great!
The squad now have a week’s break which gives them a few extra days to hone their magical skills before they meet their next opponents - something had better be done about fielding positions as there were some very odd ones going on today!
Was it worth getting soaked? For the players, yes. For the spectators? Jury’s out on that one so we’ll hope for some baking hot sunshine next match.
Click on any photo below to see it in glorious full size with comment. Priceless!
That's enough pics - get back to the text by clicking here!
Click here for detailed stats of the 2nd XI's performance - you won't regret it!
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David Peek, 08/05/2009 |
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