RUSTY GRANGE PARK ROLLED OVER

 

Castlethorpe v Grange Park, 30th July

 

A surreal and straightforward win on what was at first a death-trap pitch (or at least they played like it was) which then played ‘like a road’ when we got our go. As the game was over in short time (we bowled them out for 39, indeed had them at 19 for 8 at one point), player commentaries below are in descending order of contribution to the victory:

 

Rusty Jones

Six wickets for the rattler, whose movement was too much on this pitch. Also aided by two players deflecting full tosses off their pads onto the stumps and a couple of Currell catches. Not aided by the Chairman dropping one at second slip first over which would have left them 0 for 2. A touch expensive as his 6 scalps came for 29 off his 8 overs, but Fantasy Point-tastic.

 

Nick Bell

Spoilt everybody’s day by putting the oppo into bat on this wicket – meaning very few of us got value for our £6. Mean bowling spell in which he took 4 for 6 and also beat the bat a number of times – no interest in ruining his nice clean shiny batting average on this pitch, hiding way, way down the order.

 

Mackerel

Leroy came out clad in helmet and box, which makes him even sweatier than normal. Unfortunately we had to high five him twice thanks to a brace of catches at short leg, the first a good one scooped up low from a slow-mo full toss. Wore one nicely on the leg at the death of their innings. Revealed he is ready to ‘borrow’ school equipment in the holidays to ensure the Race Night goes to plan.

 

Extras

Top-scored in our innings with 13 and second-top scored for them as well. Great effort.

 

Bash

Patrolled the covers with gambolling ease to ensure there were few quick singles. Had a close up view of Gino and his advancing tattoos as the Super Hooper spilled a chance and they nearly collided. Carried his bat calmly to the 40 target with some cuts and typically scampering running.

 

Yam

Nothing to do at slip and mercifully little time to listen to his ‘banter’ as their innings was short. Played positively and lost Currell 50p on a wager that he wouldn’t last more than four balls. Hit a straight ‘six’ which clearly bounced inside the line but had the shame of being our only batsman dismissed.

 

Keithy

Bravely put his body on the line for the team as the bounce got a little ‘uneven’ behind the timbers. If he’d been brave enough to stand up he’d have had an easier time. Should have worn his riot gear. Disappointed all by not hitting a boundary to finish off the match, and his 4 runs meant his % in boundaries for the season dropped another notch.

 

Gino

No contribution other than complaining more than once about their boundary line being a yard past the boundary markers, and spilling a dolly at point. Excellent repartee in the field though.

 

Quint

No discernible contribution other than ball polishing.

 

Tango

No discernible contribution whatsoever.

 

Junior Jones

No positive contribution – did find his feet stuck in concrete when required to backpedal and take a dolly catch at mid on which delayed the victory a touch.

 

Mickey

No positive contribution – actually delayed our victory by spilling a chance at second slip in the first over.