Tagine has positive effect on Tangerine

Match Report by Matthew Davies

Last week the Wick 1xi comfortably dispatched Wallington in the preliminary round of the league cup. There were some comments from the ooposition that to make it at the higher grade we really needed a quick bowler. Aside from the fact we were getting advise from a team we'd taken to the cleaners, its ironic that this week we did indeed have siad bowler. He also happens to be 6-7 and a left armer. Wasim Akram he is not, but Joe Ewen he is.

He's arrogant, sure [Bit lively for a match report - Ed]. He can be an absolute b*stard on the cricket field. But 9-15-3 speaks for itself. However, the 1xi second win of the season was no one man effort, with impressive performances throughout the team, although as last week there is still room for improvement.

Old Paulines' is a flat track. The type Golby could nurdle on all day without needing to change his gloves, or retire drunk on. The pace was true and the outfield quick (albeit quite large at one end).

Raza won the toss and elected to bowl on account of the weather forcast, which predicted heavy downpours from late afternoon onwards. Whinney and Ewen opend up. Whinney below par, although by no means bowling poorly. Ewen on the other hand had had no noticeable effects from a 3 week trip 'stranded' in Morocco eating Tagine and Cous Cous, taking 2 wickets in quick succession with some outstanding sustained pace and swing bowling. He also took a sharp as a knife gully chance like only he can.

The run rate didnt get above 2 until perhaps the 20th over, when a burly left hander finally decided to chance his arm. In fairness the Old P bats were given precious little to hit in a classy and accurate onslaught from Tong in particular who had improved from last weeks slightly messy performance. He found that extra yard of zip and was always on top of the bats. Nomaan too looked dangerous, although opted for the short ball on perhaps too many occasions.

After a brief attack by the OPs middle order, Tong got the deserved breakthrough, which was then followed by a Zam Holland (playing against his old boys) special, removing the 4 and 5 who had spent the best part of laying some kind of foundation. Zam bowled well considerring it was his firsy net, as well as the track being a shrove Tuesday special.

143 for OP was more than chaseable for the confident Wick boys, and at tea talk turned to the Man City Spurs question, with Mackie nibbling his egg sandwiches more nervously than most. Teas were disapointing with little variety, but your correspondant liked the barmaid so the score will be 5.

Davies and Ali opened up and much like last week took the game to the bowlers, Davies this time taking the lead. Whilst struggling for timing early, he was picking the gaps and the balls well, finding the boundary with regularity. Ali, totally unflustered, again looked a cut above, before hitting one straight down cover's throat.

Disapointingly Rashid looked a little impatient and gifted his wicket. The score looked a little frenetic at 55-2 from 11. Davies continued attacking, eventually finding some timing, although perished having just passed a second consecutive run a ball 50 - actually 4 in a row if you count last season :) [Let's not - Ed]

Mackie will be disappointed with his dismissal, whilst Kilner will be bemused, being stumped leaving a ball - not realising the keeper had crept up (legally) to the stumps. One assumes etiqutte would dictate that the batsman is informed of such a scenario. It appears not. What goes around comes around, but Kilner (Val) has been booked for a hearing appointment on Tuesday.

Raza (excellent composure) and Whinney (all hussle and bustle, but with textbook dedication to his craft) put on an impressive 40 partnership to bring the Wick in 5 down off 27 overs for a comfortable win. The omens are good (again!) for a successful season.

MOM - Ewen
Pratt OM - Val Kilner