Vik and Andy K opened up with impressively tight spells but the young Falkland openers responded with some dogged defence until one stolen single too many led to a run out. Then, with the run-rate hovering under three, the key phase of the game began. As Mr Admin bowled "incredibly boringly" (according to the umpire) from the Newfield End, Gerry replaced Usama at the Ferry Road End and, finally gaining proper reward for his consistent excellence this season, took 5-18, helped by fine catches from Nawaz (over his shoulder) and Mr Creosote (standing up). This was a superb spell of swing bowling and, crucially, included the wicket of the dangerous Mel Lowe who had started to up the run rate with some sweetly struck boundaries. Andy K returned to pick up a couple of wickets and the Falkland innings closed on 130-8.
After a table-groaning Arbo tea which seemed to have everything except the wafer thin mint, Cross set about the chase at a fierce pace, as if determined to impress our distinguished visitor, past-President Bill Bauermeister. Norrie fell early to a ball from Porteous that either kept very low (according to the Skipper) or was far too full to pull (according to just about everyone else). With Mr Admin joining Nawaz there were no more 3s but the pace barely slackened as the outfield dried and the boundaries came more easily. Nawaz continued his excellent recent form with a very stylish 48 (why do left-handers look so much more elegant than the rest of us?) and Mr Admin scored a rather less classy 50, before Ziggy and Andy Q saw us home to a seven wicket win in just 21 overs. Top work, celebrated, as part of a Cross clean sweep, with many jugs. More of the same next week might be enough to finally lift us out of 7th place.
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Excellent, a secret Python.
ReplyDelete4 Bangs...
ReplyDeletehere is Nozzer's previously suppressed match report:
It’s high Fives all round as Gerry scoops the honours
On a glorious sunny day the two’s welcomed Falkland 3XI to Arbo knowing that a win would almost settle any doubts about their survival in Division 5.
The skipper took the unusual step of winning the toss for only the third time this season.
Electing to take to the field the opening attack of Vikram and Killer killey got stuck into the openers of Falkland causing them to miss on many occasions. The sustained attack although not earning a breakthrough ensured that the scoreboard did not go anywhere fast.
Usama then joined in the attack and after finding his line continued in the same vein.
The eventual pressure telling as the openers took on Usama in the field and found out to their cost that the smiling assassin happened to have a torpedo hidden in his arm and form fine leg a direct hit resulted in the square leg umpire raising the arm at somewhat of a slow pace confirming that it was time for the young opener to take the long walk back to the changing room.
JB then got into the attack and kept things very tight all of the bowlers at this stage had kept things very tight but had not got the respective wickets that there efforts merited.
Enter Mr Lohan who decided that today was as good as any to post his bets figures of the season. Strolling up to the crease with both grace and elegance he then began firing in the bullets that the poor Falkland lads just could not get hold of. Suddenly wicket after wicket tumbled ….bowled, lbw, caught behind (yes welcome back shifty) caught Nawaz and to show he has the safest hands in the business Nawaz followed it up again taking a running catch despite the cries fro the batsman of “he will never catch that”. Gerry finishing his spell of destruction with a five for 18 and all with a smile on his face.
Killer Killey decided that he needed to get in on the act and popped up with a brace Falkland finishing on a 130 for eight after 45.
Norrie and Nawaz opened up and after a brief effort Norrie decided to join the hackers club whilst attempting to pull a straight ball off the stumps however he swears it stayed low again!!!! Don’t know how many times he is going to use that one.
Enter JB who in recent times has been back to batting at his best to take on the challenge of leading the lads home. Nawaz and JB then set about the Falkland attack and boundaries were flowing a plenty.
As the runs flowed it seemed there may be a competition between the two as to see who could reach their fifty first.
Nawaz batted beautifully just falling short on 48 and surely cementing his place opening next week before being caught going for the big shot to get him there however he picked out the fielder who made no mistake.
JB got to his fifty with another exquisite four before being given out LBW by Shifty (trigger finger) although JB was adamant that bat was involved to be fair Shifty had the finger raised so quickly it was questionable if the ball had even reached the pads.
Ziggy and Quinny brought the lads home with Ziggy finishing on 17 not out.
An excellent all round display both in the field and with the bat, the bowling was very sharp and caused no end of problems, special mentions go to Nawaz and JB for the efforts with the bat however Gerry takes the spoils this week with an outstanding bowling display well done.