2nd XI v Cargilfield

by Our Chinese correspondent - Bo Ling

Bewilderment as Belhaven bat sensibly to counter Cargilfield bowling attack

Won by 7 wickets

Cargilfield	75 all out
Belhaven Hill	79 for 3

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Cap Heck was puzzled. “What do you mean, a timed game? Is this the new name for Quick Cricket - time it for a few minutes and that's that?” The frown deepened across Cap’s brow and the team looked stumped, as they were used to limited overs cricket - you know, quick, exciting and you get a result come what may.

The Old Coach sighed and explained to this young generation of cricketers that a timed game gave the possibility of a draw but also that one had to build an innings and stay awake in the field for, possibly, a couple of hours. Gasps of horror from some as they realised that they would not be able to have a quick nap at long leg or deep cover point.

Armed with this knowledge Cap Heck accompanied the Cargilfield captain to the crease to toss the coin of destiny. The double headed disc did its job; Heck won and put Cargilfield in to bat. So far so good!

Cargilfield’s two openers looked good and seemed to know how to make some strokes. Now, normally this is an ominous sign, as our bowlers usually spray the ball about and trust to luck rather than judgement to take wickets (or rely on the opposition running themselves out? Ed).

But in the third over (and so far no extras having been given away) Geordie bowled their No. 2 for 3 off his 4th ball. (Howzatt for progression? Ed) The team went ballistic and smothered Geordie. (No mean feat as he’s a big guy! Ed)

Meanwhile at the other end, Douglas was bowling very accurately and keeping the runs down. But the batsmen were taking quick singles and putting the fielders under quite a bit of pressure. This was the first time this season that they had met a team who would take a run when the ball was going directly to an in-fielder - scary or what. (Probably a great deal of What! Ed).

Poor Charlie was having a torrid time, as he was fielding just the other side of an artificial wicket that had been plonked in the field. Every time the ball came across it, it would hit the raised edge and fly off in an unforeseen direction. This saw Charlie going in one direction only to discover that the ball had shot off in the opposite one. Fielding’s just not fair! But some find it totally fair, especially when the batsmen give catching practice and George got one off the final ball of Douglas’ spell.

Yippee, 2 for 23 runs from 8 overs and the openers had to have a rest. (What? Eee by gum - in ma day Ah’d b’bowling at least 20 on’t trot! Yorkshire Ed) George and Ali took over and continued the accuracy, though George was a bit short (don’t be rude! Ed) and the batsmen had the skill to punish the bad balls and the score was about to increase significantly. Though not before George cleverly bowled a rank long hop outside off stump and the batsman was consummately fooled into making a shot to cover point. Here lay the Rettie in wait and, pouching it, hurled it towards the wicket keeper with unerring accuracy.

The batsman, so close but with his bat in the air, saw the bails tumbling to the ground and the dreaded raised finger heralded his dismissal. More rejoicing and this time it was the Rettie who was engulfed!

Cargilfield’s No.5 was useful and it was he who started to make inroads into the bowling. However, all around him his team mates were struggling and Ali took their No. 6 with the last ball of his spell. Only 16 overs had been bowled, 5 wickets taken and 58 runs scored.

Henry Roberts was brought into the attack and his left arm round the wicket spinners totally baffled the batsmen. In his first over he bowled Nos. 7 & 8 for no runs and it was beginning to look as if Cargilfield did not know they were in a ‘timed’ game!

Through out the innings Cap Heck kept up a constant stream of banter and mild sledging, which was very enjoyable and even the Cargilfield boys joined in from the boundary, thus making it a noisy, fun afternoon’s entertainment.
Andrew Watson partnered Henry in bowling and took the wickets of the Nos. 9 & 10 for 3 runs. One of them an extraordinary catch by George at slip - extraordinary because he caught it not far from the square leg umpire! Just shows how quick George can move and how high the ball went! (Actually a bit of writer’s licence here, as George caught it in what would have been backward short leg position. Ed) With one wicket to go everyone was crowding the bat and their No. 11 didn’t really stand a chance and a good run out saw his demise to end Cargilfield’s innings at 75 runs.

As tea had been scheduled for 3.50 and we had done the damage by 3.10, Belhaven would have to bat without a refreshing iced lolly! What sacrifices were being made today! And yet more sacrifices would have to be made on the batting front. No more swinging across the line and try and bash out the runs before 20 overs. Oh, no - this time we had until 6.15! Just think, 165 minutes (tea taken into consideration) to make 76 runs. Luxury!

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I must admit that the batsmen tried every trick in the book to get themselves out and make life difficult for themselves! Granted, the pitch had a very irregular bounce - one ball could be pinging its way past your ear and the following delivery would be rolling along the ground - but the swingus battus was definitely in evidence and a great deal of semper laetus as well, as the Cargilfield wicket keeper began his sledging oratory!

Douglas and Ali started well but Douglas swiped across the line and, in time-honoured 2nd XI fashion, gave short square leg some catching practice (the easy variety!) and departed for 4 runs. An inauspicious start to the chase for 76, I’m afraid. But Mum was there to give some TLC so all was well!
Ali was stuttering away at the other end but at least was not in a great hurry to get himself out, though did spoon a couple of catches to square leg and point (both of whom resisted the challenge and dropped the ball). But at least the ball was being hit on the off side for once!

Cap Heck came in, had a few words with the keeper, refused to move his feet and departed for a hobble back to the boundary for a duck. Oh, well, 2 for 4 runs. Was the writing on the wall? So far only 6 minutes of the innings had passed!

Andrew Watson walked to the wicket and steadied the ship (what on earth was a ship doing there? Please check accuracy. Ed) with exaggerated forward defensive strokes. Sometimes his front foot was half way down the wicket before the bowler had decided what sort of delivery to make! But he kept the ball away from his stumps and you can’t ask for any more. Yes, I can! Runs, please as well!

They duly arrived in a steady stream and Ali and Andrew made a partnership of 43 before Andrew made a shot far too early, couldn’t adjust and gave silly mid off a simple catch.

The score stood at 47 for 4 and the time was 4.28. Aeons of time left for the final 29 runs required. And who was striding to the pitch? None other than Slogger Geordie.

Little Old Coach knew this would be make or break time as Slogger did not really know the intricacies of a timed match, preferring the quick route to victory. And what a surprise everyone who knows Slogger got. No swiping with head in air but a staid approach with straight bat and defending his wicket from the accurate bowling. Little Coach could hardly write down the score for shock!

The runs slowly accumulated (Ali scoring the singles and and the odd boundary: Slogger scoring the boundaries!) but not without the odd heart-stopping moment. One such was when the ball refused to bounce and Slogger decided at that moment to swipe it, missed and the bails fell off. Much joy and jubilation was quashed by the Umpire registering a no ball.

And with 3 to win the sledge went up from the keeper to Slogger, “Go on, you know you want to - get a 6 to win!” Unfortunately for Cargilfield, Slogger did exactly that and smashed a super six to win the match.

Awesome stuff and a well-deserved victory for a fine performance so totally out of character! Belhaven Batsmen waiting to go in were heard to shout, “Catch it!” when their own batsmen sent up catches, so that they could have a go, but to no avail! Well done all for your spirit, humour and the odd cricketing skill. Bodes well for something but can’t quite think what ...

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