Copeland Looks Damn Cool But Is Still Late
All "Round" Performance From Paddy McMullen Can't Prevent Defeat for 3s
On Friday afternoon, the Wick were looking at taking to the
field with nine men for their away game at O&L. Thankfully, Paddy McMullen
stepped in and encouraged two mates to re-engage with our summer sport. Welcome
Tom Butterfield and Jackson Iredale.
With a full complement of players we set off for O&L, a
little behind schedule at 1130 but with enough time to make it unless the M25
was cruel. Copeland lived up to his rock and roll billing and arrived late
(again) on his bike. Two cars departed while the brothers Sayce waited for
Copeland. Fifteen minutes in Bushy Park queues didn’t help but the last car to
depart the Wick arrived at O&L at 1230.
Awaiting them there was Chaz who had gone straight. No sign
of the others. At 1250, with only four Wickmen on the scene O&L won the toss
and decided to bat. The umpire insisted no start until the Wick had 8. At 1255,
a car arrived. Three Wickmen inside. So still no chance of starting although the
O&L openers were ready to go. Phone call. The other four were at the other
O&L ground. At 1310, O&L’s captain offers one of his men to give us the
requisite eight to start. Skipper thankfully spies the final car coming up the
drive. At 1315, we get started with 11 on the field.
Farooq Ahmad opens up and looks lively but with little luck.
The O&L openers tough it out and get their side off to a steady start. Chaz
ties down the batsman but can’t make the breakthrough either. The older Sayce
brother bowls tidy dibbly-dobblers but can’t make a breakthrough. O&L’s
openers makes fifties for consecutive weekends. Paddy McMullen comes down the
hill and while lacking fitness (a first year at Uni well spent) has too much
pace at this level. He bowls full and straight and picks up four wickets.
O&L close on 230-6. Not out of reach on a decent track with a fast outfield
but the Wick batting line-up doesn’t look to have strength in
depth.
Tea. Excellent. Particularly for those with a sweet tooth. A
50/50 savoury/sweet split featuring scones and muffins. This week’s path to
victory involves batting the fifty overs. Occupation of the crease with a late
burst will get us close...
Last week’s ton hero gets strangled down the leg side, caught
behind to a ball that nicks his pad but nothing else. Tough call for the Ump but
harder for our hero to stomach. Skipper nicks to the keeper and Harry’s stumps
get splattered. We’re 15-3.
Who’s this week’s hero? Paddy steps in with some
lusty blows to make 27. No-one else makes double figures. 69 all out in 20
overs. Not pretty, in fact very ugly.
The batting is perhaps best glossed over this week and we’ll
give Pete Glancy of O&L credit for his six wickets. Improvement clearly
needed here if we’re going to compete. This week’s bowling looked good and
Farooq Ahmad looks like he may prosper during the summer despite being
luckless.
Perhaps having 11 men at 1300 will help us turn the
corner?
No comments:
Post a Comment