WILLEN WILT AS THRUPP THRASH BATTING BUNNIES

Castlethorpe v Willen, Sunday 7^th August

In a week off from the league, Castlethorpe organised a friendly fixture with Willen, who usually play in Division Three of the Sunday League. Castlethorpe batted first, and got off to a great start when their opening batsman arrived late; Junior Jones had been playing in a match in the morning. The innings started very well when Yam hit a boundary from the first ball of the match, but got worse when he was bowled next ball by a ball that Tango, who was umpiring, said moved at least 18 inches. He finished with an excellent strike rate of 200%, which compared favourably with Virender Sehwag’s ODI career figure of 104.

 Dion Bell went in at three and was out almost at once to the other opening bowler, caught behind. He didn’t think he hit it, but Nev who was umpiring definitely did, and that was the end of that. In came Junior Jones, two places lower in the order than planned, and there was a 49 year age difference between him and Taters at the other end. First up, he received a vicious bouncer which he took on the arm, but shrugged off. Taters continued to shuffle his way through the left arm swing bowler’s spell, which declined steadily from the ball he produced to dismiss our answer to Adam Gilchrist.

 The two openers did not rotate the strike, preferring to score in even numbers like 0, 2 and 4, particularly 0. However, they managed to see off the opening pair, and then began to push on. There were one or two hairy patches, though - Jones being hit flush on the box and Taters nearly running himself out to point - but the pair got through them, and earned the opportunity to face the change bowlers. It was a shame, then, that Taters went LBW to the first change bowler. While Jones attacked the bowling, hitting five fours in all, he saw a procession of wickets at the other end. Tango, Matty Lewis (golden duck) and Rusty all got themselves out with rash shots. Then, Junior Jones - who had been holding the innings together, toe ended a drive and managed to get out caught and bowled. Nev and Jon Hill steadied the ship and put on about thirty valuable runs, Jon Hill scoring freely until he was caught at mid on.

 Jason Ginelly strode out to the wicket looking determined. A minute later, he strode back to the pavilion looking determined. It was left to number eleven Quentin Jones, dad of Martin and out of retirement for this game, and Nev to see out the remaining overs. It didn’t happen, Nev turning the next ball he faced into the hands of square leg.

 After tea, provided by Bob Bell, Castlethorpe started well as Jon Hill and Jason Ginelly quickly ran through the Willen top order which was roughly as solid as the egg which conveniently matched the shape of several batsmen’s scores. The carnage continued when Tango carried on from where a now incapacitated Jon left off, picking up figures of 3-3-0-2 which no-one was allowed to forget about after the game. Everybody got a bowl, including Dion, Matt and Quentin who each got their first wickets for the club with a varying quality of spin bowling. Nev also proved destructive as our athletic backward-point fieldsman hung onto two less than challenging catches, which gave him a healthy total of fantasy points after his exploits opening the innings.

 Someone else who found himself in an unusual position was Yam, who for the first time in fifteen years was keeping wicket. His iron gloves saw only one bye (a leg-bye according to everyone except the umpire) go past him, although his less than successful attempt to complete a run out while both batsmen were running away from his end lightened the mood. This meant that Tango was too busy laughing to snaffle a catch that came his way from their number eleven, but it gave the eldest Jones the chance to demonstrate his leg-spin.

 He bowled an excellent ball to end a Willen innings that didn’t exactly stretch our bowling attack.