The Greasby Roaders v The SCC
Thursday 23rd August 2011
(match report written by James Christensen)
The ‘Friendly.’
With the silverware settled and our summer seemingly over, it was indeed a bonus to be challenged to a ‘friendly’ by SCC. Competition game it wasn’t, but, for all intents and purposes, there was still plenty to play for. For one, there was our joint history; two hard fought games, with one win apiece, meant that this game would decide ultimate bragging rights. For another, our team and individual stats would still be recorded and count in the regional rankings. (At the moment, SCC was placed a little higher than our good selves. Could we reel them in and overtake them?) Finally, whoever wins would secure the psychological edge over the other, ahead of the next competition, and, for two proud teams, that was more than enough incentive to give it everything.
It was clear that SCC were still hurting after their recent loss to Greasby Roaders; to them a game foolishly thrown away, to us a great fight back and thrilling victory. Could this be the reason behind their challenge; to exercise the demons of the last match; a match in which we’d effectively put them out of the competition? Or was it simply that they, like us, just loved playing and wanted more?
The game was certainly played in a wonderful spirit with humour and plenty of good sportsmanship from both teams. Greasby Roaders batted first, amassing a highly respectable 155 for 3 off its twenty overs- great opening stand from the Nicks Birtwistle and Corcoran, ably supported with another 50 from skipper Steve and a handy knock of 23 from Rob; a good total to be sure, but one which was still gettable. Would it be enough, though, given that both teams passed the 160 mark when last they met?
The first couple of overs of the SCC innings looked ominous to say the least, with both openers seemingly able to find the boundary at will. But once the break through was made, sometime in the fourth over, things changed dramatically, and, from that moment on, the result never looked in doubt. To say that our bowlers ran rampant would be an understatement- berserk would be more like it! I can remember waiting to come on to bowl my leggies, in my usual slot around the tenth over, and seriously wondering whether there’d be any SCC batsmen left to bowl at! To give you some indication of what transpired, SCC was bowled out for 120 in fifteen overs, giving Greasby Roaders a comfortable 35 run victory.
By far the most satisfying aspect of the win was that everyone in the team performed and made a positive contribution. In fact, there were so many good performances, it’s easier just to list them, player by player.
Nick Birtwistle. Hammered 23 runs off 13 deliveries in a record opening partnership for the team with Nick Corcoran; intelligent, thoughtful batting. Could Nick have found his true position in the batting line up as an opener? Later bowled one over of seam and picked up his maiden LMS wicket, finishing with figures of 1/ 12 off one over. Congratulations Nick, amazing what a difference a little net practice can make to one’s bowling!
Rob O’Keeffe. What can you say about the big man? Another good all round performance, smashing 23 runs off a mere 10 deliveries and finishing with bowling figures of 1/ 19 off 3.4 overs. His pace and fire certainly added to the woes of the SCC batsmen and kept the pressure up.
Mark Montgomery. Unlucky (or just down right self destructive if you prefer!) to have been run out without facing a ball when batting, but the mercurial Monty, back from holidays, bagged two wickets (2/ 34 off four) and was the spark that ignited the SCC collapse. (Must have been inspired by those Quantum gloves he spied on his recent travels!!!)
Jeff Barker. In only his fourth game of the season, the even more mercurial Yankee Doodle Dandy, put in a scorching spell of bowling, claiming three scalps, and finishing with figures of 3/ 21 off three overs. Great come back Jeff!
Stephen Willett. As always, the skipper led from the front, scoring a quick fire half century off 35 deliveries, as well as marshalling his troops with great effect in the field. (Charles take note: the majority of runs scored by the team, including Steve’s 50, were done with the Quantum! Time to trade up my friend, or rather down I guess, to a better bat!)
James Christensen. Didn’t get a chance to bat but bowled a wicket maiden, claiming the prize wicket of SCC skipper, Mark Jones, with one that pitched on leg, turned, beat the outside edge and carried on to hit the off stump. (Also almost broke my left hand cutting off what would have been a certain four off my own bowling. Ouch!)
Debutant Alec Stewart. Yes you read correctly, Alec Stewart! No, not the one time England keeper/ batsman, but our own 17 year old Alec Stewart from Caldy. Like his namesake, Alec’s work behind the stumps was faultless, and he hung on to several sharp catches. Came in cold for the last delivery of our innings and hit a beautiful straight drive for four (or is that eight?). Great debut Alec!
(Thanks must also go to Nick Corcoran, our one ringer from Eight4Sport, who opened the innings with our Nick and contributed a gritty half century off 49 deliveries.)
Well folks, there you have it. It’s official. Greasby Roaders are turning into not a half bad little cricket outfit. We have indeed gone past SCC in the regional rankings by two places; tenth to their twelfth, and now eagerly await the start of the newly created September Sunday League. Bring it on!!!
| The SCC vs The Greasby Roaders |
| Date: Tue 23 Aug 2011 |
| Batted First: The Greasby Roaders |
| The Greasby Roaders Score: 155 for 3 after 20.0 |
| The SCC Score: 120 for 8 after 15.2 |
| The Greasby Roaders won by 35 runs
match stats:- |
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