WOLLATON II v NEWARK
South Notts League Division E
Saturday 3 May 2008
New season, new captain and new warm up procedures for the 2nds – well not quite correct, the 2nds never had any warm up procedures before. Under new Captain Gulson, the 2nds are aiming to be a more professional outfit as regards preparation etc. He even got Ratters involved, although this appeared to be mostly giving him a bat to give catching practice. Some things don’t change though, using the reasoning that if W G Grace, Don Bradman & Gary Sobers managed without pre match warm up, Crossers would resort to previous year’s routine, turn up less than half an hour before the start and amble to get changed. He would then return back home to provide Jawaid with trousers as he had forgotten his, Ratters would resurrect his original Robinson Sports shirt as Suman had forgotten his kit, the keenness for warm up routines must have an effect on people’s brains!
On a very slow wicket, Jonny G called correct and to the astonishment of certain senior pros, decided to bat. Newark’s seamers on a wicket similar to their usual ground, bowled very accurately, and both the skipper and Ratters struggled to get things going. This caused various comments from the side line, ranging from they are doing a good job in difficult conditions, they ought to be looking for more singles to keep the scoreboard moving through to they have got to get on with it. The lack of runs brought the topic of Chris Tavere up, which young Selwood had to be given a lesson on from Daddy Selwood. Jonny G would go for around 30 odd, to be accused by Saqib of “What sort of gay shot was that?” I accept I may not be up with the times, but do cricket shots have sexual characteristics – I’m not sure.
Back to the action, and Jawaid attempted to make up for lost time, putting 1 out of the ground and hitting another couple of boundaries, before he over did it and was caught. Crossers briefly threatened before he, Will and then Ratters for a grafted and well played 51 got out, or was it, Ali had got a run 3 down to Crossers (Ali either you ought to go to Specsavers, or Crossers get on a diet), and Ratters thought he had 70odd. Wollaton appeared to be going nowhere before a hard hitting leg sided unbeaten 27 from new boy Andy Bayley got Wollaton up to a respectable 163 – 6.
Saqib and Joe opened up, but were not as accurate as Newark’s opening bowlers, but Newark’s batsman were not as good as Wollaton’s. They picked up 3 wickets between them, before the star of the day Suman took over. Helped (or was it hindered) by the Gulson field setting charts, he would take 5 wickets to completely snuff out any hope Newark had. His subtle varieties and excellent keeping from Andy Bayley made Newark shotless at times.
Moment of the day occurred late on. Crossers, being 1 of the more active fielders chased after a ball to the boundary. It was heading for Will’s sister and the rest of her girly friends who were walking inside the boundary blissfully unaware of what was going on. With the ball and Crossers looking as though they were going to take them out, him wondering if he would be accused of under age tampering or going unexpectantly into a bush, he yelled out, which got a loud shriek in response but did the job as they managed to move out of the way, much to the amusement of everyone else.
Crossers would finish things off with 2 wickets bowling whatever he does, and Wollaton won by 50 odd runs, a successful start.
The sights and sounds of Emily’s 18th party kept the conversation topic going, including the shortest pair of shorts ever seen, at which point Leaky decided he had to go home to his wife.
The Sage