Royal Cricket

HWRCC 3RD XI vs PHOENIX

Wick – 270 odd for 6 (Gruff – 60-odd; Hibby 70- odd) Phoenix all out for 70 (Jimmy C and Iqbal – 3 wickets each; linter 2)

“Oh it’s such a perfect day….such a perfect day” (sings)

I can think of no better way to kick off this weekend’s match report than to quote the lyrics of Lou Reed from his hit “Perfect Day” – it encapsulates everything about Saturday August 4th at Wick HQ, where our very own 3rd XI took centre stage for the first time this season. And didn’t we rise to the occasion?

After one of the most miserable periods of weather this writer has witnessed (think June and July), the sun finally popped its head out for a burn on a scorching August afternoon to see a “strengthened” 3rd XI wipe the proverbial backsides of a dour Phoenix XI in undoubtedly the most one-sided match of the season.

With the 1st and 2nd XI’s taking a well-earned rest from matches this weekend, the 3rd XI lineup was barely recognizable. The introduction of Hibby, Garf, Del Boy et al into the team under the guise and counsel of our very own Adam “lash” Crane, was always going to ensure that this would be a “lively” match. Cheered on by a number of the boys sinking Robert Wagners in a newly-formed paddling pool, and following the swift entry and departure of stalker “Ludlow”, this makeshift team put on the best display of cricket seen at the Wick this summer.

After winning the toss, Captain Cransey (coming in with a suspect record as captain) could see no other option than to throw on the pads and head out to bat – it would have been rude not to. With new openers Garf and Doddy heading out to the pitch (which looked magnificent by the way), it wasn’t long before the runs started to flow. Unfortunately for Doddy, who was perhaps unnerved by his forum posts during the week, in which he vowed to buy a jug for every six that was hit during the game, he was unable to hang around past the first few overs. Beaten by an absolute ripper (according to Garf), Doddy made way for Paul Hibberd. At this point, the game was over – FACT.

Garf and Hibby pasted the Phoenix attack to all parts of the ground in what Mark Nicholas would describe as “electrifying” cricket. Garf's impeccable timing and Hibby’s big hitting saw the Wick reach 100 after just 11 overs, with 300 looking like a possible score. Hibby quickly overtook Garf to reach his 50 – coming off one of the worst shots you will likely see – a slog sweep no less. Regaining his composure, and after some wise counsel from Cransey, it seemed destiny that he would notch up his second 100 of the season. Unfortunately, the inclusion of Doddy as umpire - perhaps sensing his pockets taking a pounding (Hibby had already hit two sixes), ended an Adam Gilchrist-esque knock when he raised the finger to a ball the kept low.

In the context of the match, Hibby’s departure mattered little. Quickfire knocks from Cransey, Lloydy, Del Boy and Jimmy C kept the Wick run-rate up at “ridiculous” , with Del Boy and Jimmy hanging around until the end of the innings with handy knocks – making 30 and 24 respectively.

After DBW’s best serving of the year (debatable?), and seeing an increasingly “lively” paddling pool, the Wick hit the field with confidence, and it wasn’t long before Junaid and Linter had gotten rid of the opening batsmen. Junaid – clearly fired up after a week off and keen to impress – bowled like a young Mark Ealham in a sensational spell of bowling. It was threatening, probing and “far out” – I dug it man!

At 5 down for very little, Phoenix looked like a broken team. With Jimmy C and Direct both coming on to bowl, Cransey added a further 4 slips, including a fly slip, to try and end the match before 6pm. Jimmy C – probably the liveliest we’ve ever seen at the Wick – took shreds out of the remaining Phoenix batsmen. Urged on by Hibby and those in the paddling pool, he took 3 wickets in a blistering spell. With Direct taking a great caught and bowled from the other end, and following an “insane” run out, the game was over. The mauling had finished.

At the end of the match, the boys – to a man – decided to cool off in the paddling pool, much to the chagrin of Sisso, who seemed to be enjoying a “quiet” one. They didn’t care though – it was perfect way to end the perfect day – FACT.

Here the boys create a little bit of Sabina park magic - from the left Leggsy, Mackie, Fudgey, Joey, Mrs Joey? and young Ms Sissen.

Wickman Junior