PVB reports on HX 3 v Morton (Campbell Park)
HX 3rds (Dad’s army) were well beaten by a sporting Morton 2nds side at
CP. With Andy and Ross hotfooting it from their morning hockey game, we
were always going to two short at the start – putting our average age at
about 58 for the first hour! Once they arrived it was reduced to a more
respectable 51, which is two less than the number of balls it took
Coastal Ken to get off the mark. Maybe the immense preparations required
to play at Campbell Pk tired him out - he is like a packhorse as he
uncomplainingly drags bagfuls of kit / stumps / food / mugs / teapot /
beakers / teabags / milk / kitchen sink…
So Ken eclipsed Andy Greig’s league record of 51 balls to get going at
Falkland in 1982 – again when we were two players short for an hour.
Coco racked his brains at tea in search of a JLRB innings of the same
ilk.
The pitch was a shade slower than the indoor nets, and the outfield was
uncut. Our total could have been worse as Morton were very generous in
spilling numerous catches, and it would have been far worse but for a
magnificent innings from Ross Parker who punished the bad ball
brilliantly. He scored two sixes, and put on 33 for the 9th wicket with
Willie Lytle who also struck the ball really well. Ross scored 35* off
34 balls approx.
We didn’t bowl badly but Morton were more positive with their shots and
took risks with their running. To our credit we didn’t drop a thing and
Richard took a lovely catch at long-on; nor was extras our downfall with
only a single wide called by Morton’s fair umpires. Mahmood and Andy
shared keeping duties and really looked the part.
How pleasant to play in a match where both sides appreciated the skills
of their opponents; Morton’s skipper even apologised after hitting me on
my toes!
pvb
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