BOTWCC 2nd XI v Whetstone
Saturday 29th August
Well, the final match of the season was finally upon us and we were, of course, hoping to go out in style. Hoping. We weren't too expectant of course, given how the rest of the season had gone, but you really do never know. It's a funny old game, this cricket.
But sadly not this week.
Having been put into bat, we did the usual trick of batting like drunken paraplegic retards and gave wickets away like they were poison. Mark Southwell and Edwin Stewpot were the only two players to end on double figures with 13 and 14 respectively while all else capitulated with less grace than a fat lass in a tutu. Once again we were all out for a sub 100 score, 57.
The 2nd innings was short and painful. The target was reached for no loss in just 9.2 overs. Game and season over. It was over so quickly, in fact, that we even had time for a 10 over slog after tea, which we also lost. This time we at least had the common decency to wait until the last ball to blow it.
Still, its all done now and its perhaps time to reflect on the disappointing season that was 2009. And not just for the Two's.
It's easy to speculate as to why things had been so bad this year and how we can go from promotion hopefuls to league whipping boys in just a few weeks. But one thing is for certain, no team can expect to develop or even be consistent if they are unable to field the same team twice in the season. There seems to be a problem filling spaces in the 1st XI, hence the Two's lost 4 to 5 players every week, thus giving us no chance for consistency. We are thankful, of course, to a number of new and young players who came into the team this year who have helped us in our campaign, working very hard to make a conrtibution in the process. But as hard as we've all tried week in week out, you can't expect people to walk into a failing team and turn us in to world, or even Division 4 beaters.
Bear in mind, I am by no means pointing the finger at any individuals, we have a club problem. As a club we need to work on finding enough players to field a regular 1st XI capable of playing at the top level and allow the 2nd XI a chance to develop a team and move up the divisions, or in future, the Elite will have no players to replace those who become unavailable. You really can't play 4th Division cricket and then be expected to play in the Premier League and perform on demand. Also, aren't we the club with the biggest difference between first and 2nd XI's??
Enough of that misery. That's for the AGM when I'm hoping we won't be told there's nothing we can do about it as we have such a small catchment area, or that we could always merge with another club. Rubbish points both.
Anyway, well done to all players who turned up and played this season. We've had a tough year and it'll no doubt make us stronger and more determined for next season, aiming to be a much improved outfit in all areas of the game.
Have a good winter people and we'll see you at the Presentation Night, the AGM and then in the nets in January 2010.