Match Report - 2xi vs Old Paulines - by Joey B

"Old Ps delighted by DBW's 'special filling'" - Ed

Who Do You Think You are KIDding?

HWRCC 2xi vs Old Paulines
Old Paulines 156 (Fudge 4-17)
HWRCC 157-3 (High 56)
HWRCC wins by 7 wickets

Scorecard

Saturday saw the 2nd XI “welcome” OLD Paulines to the Wick for what turned out to be another clinical display.

OLD Paulines are a strange team, in that the team that plays against us in the home leg is never the team that plays in the away game. Their better players seem to enjoy coming to the Wick, perhaps it’s the setting, perhaps the egg mayo. I guess we will never know.

The eleven that did turn up on Saturday were are heady mix of BBC stars from the past and Channel 5 stars of the present. I am fairly sure that 2 members from Dads Army were playing and at least a further 4 or 5 from Neighbours.

Anyway let’s get down to business.

Fudgey lost the toss and rather bizarrely we were asked to field, on a wicket which looked like it might be best to bowl on first. Maybe their skipper Grant (who will from now on will be called Tavare) knew something we didn’t.

Leggsy opened up and continued where he left off last week, probing outside off stump and being generally too good. Vishva making his 2nd xi debut opened up the other end and was also on the money. Bar a few lusty blows from O’Reilly the bowlers had the upper hand. The same theme continued for the first 12 overs with both Leggsy and Vish continually beating the bat and the odd random four from O‘Reilly being hit.

Joey B replaced Leggsy and Fahad ( another 2nd xi debutant) replaced Vish after 12 overs and not much changed . Fahad was too quick and accurate for the batters whilst JB just probed outside off stump. It took until the 21st over to make the breakthrough and it was Tavare (10) who fell, deciding that the predicted end of the world due to arrive that evening was punishment enough for everyone and he would spare them another 29 overs of his batting. 54/1 became 54/2 when Fahad trapped Baldock LBW, too fast, too straight and Riley was given the simple task of just raising the “Goldfinger”. OLD Paulines were 55/2 after 25 at drinks.

Leggsy came back after drinks and immediately struck getting Kokri caught behind by the immaculate Copeland 59/3 and the WICK were well on top. A small partnership followed with O’Reilly continuing to punish anything over pitched and Sen trying to put every ball into the car park. That didn’t last long and Leggsy soon had him caught in the covers by Mackie 84/4.

OLD P’s continued to slowly accumulate runs almost exclusively from the bat of O’Reilly who moved nicely onto his half century. This saw Fudgey decide now was the time for him to chance his arm. It took until his 3rd over to strike when Gardner was expertly caught by Pinball in the gully, then next ball he had Hamilton LBW. The hatrick was not to be though 117/6.

Fahad returned to pick up O’Reilly for a well constructed 87, the catch taken by Vish at mid-on and OLD P’s were well in the mire at 141/7. Fudgey claimed another two wickets in two balls bowling Eyre and Clive Dunn, finishing with 4/17. Leaving the score 141/9. JB was allowed to try and pick up the last wicket which he did but not until after he had opened the buffet car and allowed Toadfish to take the score to 156. Toadfish was out for 22 leaving Captain Mannering undefeated on 2 at the other end.

Tea. Yet another new combo from DBW was unveiled, hard boiled eggs with bacon sprinkles to accompany the usual suspects. This seemed to be well received along with the fresh pasta, so an award of 9 this week seems fair.

Run down to the run chase.

We knew that getting off a good start was crucial, and Coley and Fudgey did just that. Fudgey was particularly severe on Kokri who had a penchant for bowling half trackers on leg stump. Toadfish was bowling a very tidy line at the other end but clearly cricket on Ramsey Street is played differently to that in the Surrey Champ and incessant appealing failed to endear him to the watching crowd. Clearly he was working on the theory if you keep asking eventually you will get, and that turned out to be the case as Fudgey was adjudged LBW. 42/1

This brought Charlie High to the crease and he was immediately at his brutal best dispatching balls to the boundary at will. None of the bowlers were able to restrain him and he brought up his 50 in no time with a lovely straight maximum. By the time he was eventually out (56) bowled by Toady the game was over and the Wick were 128/2. Coley fell a few balls later with Toady picking up his third but Mackie and AJ saw it home with the minimum of fuss and 17 overs left. The Wick won by 7 wickets and continued their move up the table.

With Woodmansterne away this weekend the 2s know continuing the winning run is crucial.

MOM - Charlie High for a brilliant 56 and taking the game away from OLD P’s in a flash. Mention must also go to Fudgey for his 4/17 and also Tanveer for 2/21 from his 8 overs on 2nd xi debut.