in case anyone missed Manu's match report from Sunday
My first match report of the season on request from George who seems to have won most of the trophies of the season 😊.
Who would expect such a lovely sunny day in third week of September? It was a beautiful sunny day. I walked in the ground at 1230 to see 2 half-naked bodies of Mr Cricket and Shippo basking in sun with a lager in hand on a beach lounger. Nick busy with cleaning up the autumn leaves, sorting all seating arrangements and sundries activities needed for the smooth functioning of the game.
A late change in team sheet as Grace was unavailable and we had to take Mr Cricket in, not a like to like replacement, but we had to sadly live with it 😊.
The pitch as always looks lovely and Tillingham skip won the toss. I am being advised by young Beames & Josh that heads always win but as a home skip I do not get chance to call.
As you would expect socket chose to bat which later quite did not turn out to be a bright idea.
The proceedings followed with Socket and Darren Shipton on crease. Finny with his 25 steps run up and Matt behind the stumps as we got started. Good pace, line and length were on show. I do not remember a run being scored in first over. Toby from the uphill run up bowled as best he has in past all seasons. The batsman occasionally found bat on bowl, but runs were hard to come by as Finly and Mr cricket bowled to right line and length.
Sophia replaced Finly and bowled as good as him and on the money. Sophia bowled Chris, top of off stump, what a delivery! All this time Mr Cricket was learning from these youngsters and learning well as was evident from his rare off side bowling. MR cricket got Darren caught by fielder of the season at mid-off.
Young Josh replaced Tobs from uphill and bowled with decent pace. Finally, socket getting frustrated and Josh got him caught at Mid-on as the Chairman got his 100th catch of his illustrious Woodham career along with his few thousands runs that he has scored.
Yours truly, young shippo and George filled in with 8 overs for 20 runs before we let our youngsters have a go again at Tillingham. The second spell was more deadly as Finly bowled 3 maidens of his 5 maidens in his 8 overs spell. So between Sophia and Finly in 16 overs they gave away 13 runs with 6 maidens. Josh claimed 3 wickets.
After the bring your lunch, eat ceremony and few drinks Mr Chairmen and Angus opened Woodham innings. Angus got mixed up early on in running as he was run out by a great throw direct on stumps. It was good to see young Angus take it gracefully, lot of time to learn as still young. Mr Chairmen and Gav had to face some pace and runs were hard to come by. The highlights were as follows –
Gav scored 47 and avoided the jug.
George paying no attention that Gav needed only 3 for fifty and hit a six, great shot that was and the bowler was socket.
George having better strike rate then he had for his 25 in T20 against same opposition.
8 bowlers bowled from Tillingham. This is great to see that on Sunday cricket.
Woodies won with 8 overs 5 balls to spare. The target at least 40 runs below par if not more.
We had a few spectators – Dan and his partner, Verlander family, Youngsters family, few dogs, Costin’s and families from Tillingham Scorebook in order and no follow up questions from Mark Beames
Mr chairman delivered a well-crafted speech with no poetry. Mark / Angus , George Verlander Peter Harness Toby Pateman Dan Biffta Smith were in the game of awards 2020. There were whispers that someone nicked Finley’s awards. I won’t talk much as you would see more on social Woodham page.
Finally, thanks to all for making it a great day. One more week of cricket then all indoors (if all goes well).
Ta ! Until next week.