Burbage v BOTWCC 2nd XI

Sat 24th June 2006 - Burbage

Having lost the toss on this bright and a little breezy day, Burbage elected to field and put our boys in to face the potential onslaught of the young and firey Burbage, currently second in the league.

The first over saw a few looseners cast at the Burton bats and soon things were beginning to ease off. The Burbage openers eventually found their line and length and the run rate was not really looking in danger of climbing particularly quickly.

As is often the case these days, controversy raised its ugly head once more, again surrounding the dismissal of skipper Steve Neal. Steve was dealt rib cracking full bunger that he ducked under (the great big chicken, he should have dispatched it from the premises) and as he did so he heard the sound of the top of his stumps being hit. The controversy of course was the pandemonium that followed. Steve stood his ground in typical style saying that it should have been called a no-ball. Looks were given to the square leg umpire for not calling it (although he's not supposed to now there has been a law change) and Steve left the field. When the square leg umpire was replaced (he who shall remain nameless) he was heard to say that he didn't call it a no-ball because although it was above waist height, it wasn't above shoulder height. Some rule reading required here me thinks. ANY FULL TOSSES ABOVE WAIST HEIGHT ARE NO BALLS. (Unless you're facing a slow bowler, then it goes up to shoulder height).

Anyway, those fun and games put behind them, Mike Tagg entered centre stage and looked to build on his previous innings of 105 not out. Which he did, for a few minutes anyway. Facing the wild and unpredictable T Payne he eventually left having been bowled for just 17 by perhaps the Burbage man's best ball of his spell. Not to talk ill of the lad, he bowled his 12 overs for 1 wicket and only 7 runs. Well played that fella.

Mike Simmons, who seemed somewhat settled at the crease for a change, played a few well timed shots and a coursory glance at the scorebook would have shown that he'd played three scoring shots and hit three boundries! I know, we could scarcely believe it ourselves. Quite extravagant shots they were too. Sadly, that's how the score book stayed as he wafted the blade at one of a very mixed bag from first change at the pavillion end and knicked it to the keeper.

And out came Pauline (sometimes known as the club b*tch, Ian Merryweather).

Its a shame I can't be bothered to do this properly, because if I did I'd have a little button about here that would play a little fanfare to announce a momentous occasion in world cricket.

Ian took to the crease and enjoyed a few sensible overs of watching the bowlers and seeing off the noisy (lots of LBW appeals) but economical Tom Payne and then he started to enjoy himself. He played shot after shot, hit run after run and frustrated bowlers aplenty in his quest for today's landmark. He out-stayed both Richard Stenning and Rob Morley who departed for 17 and 11 respectfully and enjoyed a lengthy spell at the crease opposite another form batsmen, John Shipman.

Well, what can I say. Shipman joined the match in the 38th over with just 105 on the board and clearly there weren't enough runs on the board to to give the bowlers something to have a go at. So the two at the business end opened up. It wasn't quite an innings of Flintoff/ Pieterson proportions, but it was the best we're going to get. Both man an boy took full advantage of the bowling attack and even the quick fire pace of Burbage's P Wood.

Amidst a period of some more confusion and some sloppy book-work by Simmons (don't email me about it, you got the blame and that's it) Pauline had reached his maiden half century three overs before we told him. The scorers and players off the field kept their fingers crossed that he wouldn't get himself out before he scored another run, but were made to wait by Shipman who kept pinching the strike. Eventually though, a quick single gave the waiting crowds the chance to whoop and cheer with glee and Ian Pauline Merryweather made his very first 50.

Well done that lass. Sycophancy aside, he truly deserved it, having been creeping ever closer in recent weeks and against one of the better teams in the league it is all the sweeter.

Anyway, this pair stuck it out until the end and Burton reached a much more respectable 165 for 5 after their 45 overs. Ian on 53 and Shippo on 25, both not out obviously.

After tea, the usual openers John Shipman and Rob Morley got started on the Burbage batters and once more the clubs leading wicket-takers started to rip through the opening order.

Shippo took two of the most comfortable caught-and-bowled's he'll ever take and Rob Morley took 2 by another fine catch from Mike Tagg (he must have webbed fingers or something) and forcing a run-out by Pauline of the number 4. (There might be some talk here too. If it was a stumping it is Rob's wicket. If it was a run-out then it's not. You can argue that one out with Steve and I'll need to change the stats, as its currently down as Rob's wicket).

Burbage where now 24 for 4 of 8 overs.

Penton came on and took T Payne, thanks again to ANOTHER catch from Mike Tagg (who left the field again with blood pouring from his pinky finger) and Burbage were now 38 for 5.

Surely an easy victory was a certainty!

Burbage then introduced P Wood who looked settled from the outset and despite a limited repertoire refused to give up his wicket as easy as his previous team-mates. Penton bowled most of his 12 overs at him to little effect, although for no runs as such, and the match was going to have to be taken away from him by getting out his buddies.

Enter Sam Shipman. The prodigal son of the club superstar, John Shipman, came on and immediately took the annoying P Wood out of the attack gifting him a wild slap at a short and wide one that was directed straight into the outstretched arm of Rob Morley. And that was him gone. Now it was time to skittle out the rest of a team that was clearly well into the tail, and go home. (Via the pub of course).

Two of the clubs new boys, Steve Layzell and Jack Child had half a dozen overs a-piece and both performed very well indeed. Few runs were given, no full tosses, no pies and no half trackers. Jack Child even got himself two wickets on his debut, clean bowling the number 8 and using his other debutante Steve Layzell to catch the other.

I have been instructed to say here that there are at least 2 players from Burbage who can consider themselves extremely unlucky. Apparently, and I can only go on what I am told, Steve Layzell would struggle to catch pox from a leper, let alone a cricket ball. So when he took his second catch, diving to the ground to give John Shipman his 3rd wicket and Burton the match, there was some considerable banter and back slapping going on about the place. Well done he though.

And so, Burbage were all out for 96 after 42 overs.

Another game won.

There was bit of a huddle after the game (no hugging though, that wouldn't do) and the skipper congratulated the entire team on a match well played. Everybody had done their bit and BOTWCC had taken the scalp of one of the division's better teams away from home.

Well done all.

Next week - at home to Sapcote and perhaps some more new players to enjoy. Crikey, what a club !

Grant Penton 25-6-06

FULL MATCH STATS AVAILABLE HERE

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