Lager-Fuelled Fuds Felled by Forbes

[PVB reports on the 3rds trip to Dalgety Bay]

A fast and bouncy track at Dalgety Bay – many surprises – first being we were 40 minutes early [!!] and started on time. Just 10 of us, but a good 10. Inserted. Paul & Mike found it hard going - so after 2 blows to the thumb Paul decided to have a rest until he could hold the bat properly return to face the pies which were being delivered by the lesser bowlers. Mike did well to keep out the openers for 14 overs, Matt surprised us all by playing a defensive shot – after a string of brave ones including smashing the bouncy bowler [?] over his head; Richard’s straight drive was majestic – oft practised in the garden no doubt. But they all got bowled and at 45-3 entered former fast bowler turned wicketkeeper-batsman Andy G.

Now turning yourself into a batsman is all the rage – Calum MacLeod, two dogs, Coco (but read on) [I omit Gary T – we know he always was a batsman], Andy is the latest -  he then proceeded to pick out any overpitched ball and dispatch it  meatily through extra cover   to  midwicket time and again – he nearly killed Paul at the bowler’s end [the bowler's end is at midwicket?]. In return, Paul tried to run him out to get him on strike. Andy and Paul put on 85 as the bowling became 'varied'  and Andy reached his maiden 50 with probably no more than a single on the off side. It was magicnificent, and he has two magic weapons – no, three!:  1, his reach & eye – anything remotely a full toss even on middle is hoisted to midwicket.   2, his bat, the provenance of which we won’t discuss, and 3 the can of lager he had just quaffed before batting. The club 3^rd XI kit should now include plentiful cans of cool lager.

At about 130-3,  Paul departed for 30. Then a new bowler who had allegedly never bowled for the club in his many games had Andy well caught at longish-on, followed by Coco who  received a absolute jaffa missed a straight one first ball. Ken and Ted perished in the chase, and Dave & Keith got us over the 150 mark.

So that wasn’t bad. But we knew Murray Forbes could tonk a bit – a century last week. Someone said it was a bit like facing a team with  Chris Gayle in – if you don’t get him out, you lose. So Murray went at a hell of a pace – a straight six off Matt’s first over was a pointer, and he had no respect for seniors either, dispatching Ellis snr over his head for another. Ok, it wasn’t chanceless  [name the guilty men Paul] but you just have to admire it; he probably reached his 91 in about the same number of balls that Ken took v Morton to get off the mark! He was even out before the drinks break. It was over 100 before Keith came on and was given the same treatment in his first over; then he bowled well, conceding only 28 in 7 overs. Andy pouched his first catch behind the stumps.

Dalgety Bay were fabulous hosts, provided a sumptuous tea.