Dunc Reports

Here is Dunc’s report from the last 1st Team match of the season.

“And so the game is played out, on the sinking Wigan Pier.”

Inspired by the best, and indeed, only winning streak of the season, the Sunday 1st team travel to leafy Failand to play Old Bristolians Westbury. This is the new habitat of the former skipper, Chris Hunt. We are not expecting him to face the music by turning out for the oppo.

Duncan won the toss again, 3 in a row, and elected to bat on a lovely dry flat looking covered 1st team pitch. With a reasonable batting line up, he and Bernet headed to the crease in relaxed fashion. A seamer and a leg spinner opened against us and it’s clear that the dry pitch takes turn, however inaccurate. After a brisk start though, Bernet was bowled for 9 by a double bouncing daisy cutting leg break through his legs. How very Cowboy! Justin would have opened but was a bit late so came in at 3 and looked great until he wellied a cut straight to cover with his score on 12 and the total on 45. Evan stepped up and he and the skipper put on 26 until in a bid for quicker runs, Evan called Duncan for a quick single and ran him out on 40. So the collapse began, from there at 71 for 3 to 82 for 4, Evan for 5 and 86 for 5, Dave Flinton for 12. Both caught off the child bowler voted most likely to succeed DC2 as the slowest in Christendom. 89 for 6, Jeff for 3. 92 for 7 Roger for 3. 102 for 8, James Tinx for 8. 104 for 9 Rich Garner for 1. All fell to bowler of the day Ollie Folland, who took 4 for 4 in a 5 over spell off very good off spin. Wayne fell victim to the youngest player on the pitch, bowled for 4 by a ball from outer space. 106 all out on one of the best batting strips in the league, the last 7 wickets lost for 29 runs in 11 overs.

It’s lucky Mr. Hunt wasn’t there really, wasn’t it.

So to the defence of such a total. Both Martin and Rich G opening the bowling were dispatched for boundaries with their first balls. Thereafter with steely determination, they settled into the task but made only one inroad, Rich trapping the baby opener with the score on 26. Bizarrely, the other opener was given out LBW to Martin, but the umpire changed his mind under duress from the number 3 and that was the Cowboys last sniff of an unlikely charge towards victory. Losing never really looked in doubt though as Duncan, Evan and Roger were all not quite good enough to pressurize the very relaxed batsmen as they cruised to 107 in the 20th over.

A rather damp squib of a finish to the season. But the session at the Plough was cheery and loud.

Well done to all who gave there all during the season, and there is no doubt in my mind it’ll all be better next year.