Matty's Sunday Report

May 20th, home ss Neapotists The Sunday team suffered its first defeat of the season, losing by 40 runs to a decent Nepotists xi. Having to chase 217 off 40 overs on a difficult track proved just beyond the young and inexperienced side who despite some impressive performances and some aggressive strokeplaying, were always playing catch up, and the result was a fair one. Skipper Davies was left with the invidious task of having to find 3 players at midday on the Sunday. He was buoyed by Copeland the greater who managed to find me Sam and Steve - two colts coaches, and a young 12-year old James Madoc-Jones - fresh from a red-inked 50 runs in the morning. Davies was confident, as always. The toss was a formality. We were going to field first whaever happened. I insisted. Young Iqbal, perhaps the keenest cricketer since Matt Goldbrush was a colt, opened up with Master Hibberd, who looked and smelt distinctly worse for wear following antics that shall remain guarded in secrecy the previous evening (being generous there in more ways than one). Nepotists took the attack to us and moved serenely along at 4s, the opener employing a strong bottom hand and using his feet to good effect. Davies followed Iqbal and bowled some tight lines mixed in with some lovely half trackers which were dispatched with aplomb. Steve followed Hibberd and bowled a similar mix. Copeland the greater came on with Marfleet and the spin twins slowed the rate, picking up a few crucial wickets. A Davies double then accounted for the middle order before their best player (clearly a bowling all rounnder of 1xi standard came to the wicket and played like a true batsman, driving through the off side with aplomb and ease. Copeland the younger was again excellent behind the sticks and the fielding was aggressive, especially from Young James Madock-Jones who despite his 4ft frame flew himself about like a salmon, and also has an impressive arm. In response some tight lines restricted the openers run-wise, before the pressure told on Sam who unfortunately ran out Lloyd. Such is cricket. Hibberd came to the crease but didnt last as the aforementioned antics appeared to have taken their toll. Sam then fell, dricing to cover leaving Davies and young Joe Hirsch to start clocking up some runs with the score at 28-3. Young Hirsch looked confident and played some lovely drives through the off side before falling to tight lines. James Madock-Jones played a similar innings, keen to hit the ball as oppsed to prod to meekly, he also timed the ball beautifully a number of times, finding gaps and enjoying himself. It soon became apparent however that the total was going to be too much and when Davies was joined by Marfleet that there were two games of cricket here. What should be done, and was was going to be done. Boundaries were the more appealing prospect, and a number of lofted striaght hits threatened to make the target achieveable, but when the aforementioned decent bat came on, who happened to be a decent medium fast bowler, it was clear that Neapotists were going to win. Copeland the lesser looked excellent against the quicky, despite his frequent conversations with me that he was sh*tting himself. Davies didnt care and employed the unleash on numerous occasions, keen to score boundaries rather than run 2s. The wick ended up on 180-odd, with Davies scoring 79. MOM goes to The Copelands, firstly for helping me out in an hour of need, and secondly for Harry's excellent keeping (Matrix) and brave batting in the face of 1XI sharp bowling - and a plethora of aussie chirp thrown in for good measure. Well played Neapotists, deserving winners.