Match Report - ANZA Champs vs Andhra CC 2

ANZA Champs v Andhra CC 2 at Turf City B, Sunday 15 June 08

Scorecard

ANZA Champs (7/166) vs Andhra CC (3/168 - 21.2 overs)
(Andhra CC won by 7 wickets)

Fathers Day !!

It can only be assumed that none of the Andhra CC players are either married or have children as on arrival at Turf City at 1300 "Sharp" the Champs were witness to something very rarely sighted at Turf City. The opposition (the whole team plus coaching staff, fitness staff and statistician) were conducting a rigorous fielding session..............it was apparent that they were concerned about the opposition and knew that the Champs would be a real challenge on their home turf, particularly after having cruelly been denied a win vs Fusion due to Mr Parabola!

Another strange thing was witnessed prior to the start of play.......there were 4 umpires in attendance! It can only be assumed that there was some confusion regarding the third umpire and video facilities (such as they are) at Turf City. Either that or they had heard Spainy was in the squad and some trouble was expected - he can be an angry young man!

The freshly mown outfield looked a picture. Conditions were clear but hot, very hot when the skippers strode to the middle for the toss of the coin!

Heads was the call and another toss won by Limbrick - "we'll have a bat".........

..............and bat they did, Forday G and the skipper getting things off to a bright start rattling the score along to 64 in 8 overs before Forday G decided to try and go over the top only to be caught at mid-on for a well compiled 28. Limbrick (25) followed shortly after to a juggled (some would say fluky) catch but with 70 odd on the board and the bearded one, Ben Dunn being joined by his Reverence, Goodwin, at the crease the stage was set for a massive score.

Drinks came, and at 2 for 91 the Champs were very well positioned - as has been the case on a number of occasions this season.

Once again it was not to be. Despite a few handy scores along the way including Rev Goodwin (31) - who continues his great year with the bat ; Ben "the bearded one" Dunn (18) and Josh (17) who retired hurt after making a decision to try and stop the wicket keeper from hurting his hands and took a full blooded return on the wrist - it was a marvellous jump just to get in the way, Andhra were able to tighten the screws and restricted the Champs to a "nothing flash but handy" first innings score of 166...........not great but still the club house lead.

Special mention to Footrot who spent more time the night before on the dance floor at the ANZA Ball than he did in the middle and saw his season batting average tumble - pack the kit 'Rot!

Big Bad Klaus and Spainy (who deserved a wicket or two) opened the bowling , rarely have the Champs had such a mean opening combination and after a few, well more than a few, "sighters" Klaus (1 for 24) managed to find his range and bowled what was arguably the ball of the day to find the edge and present Chiro with a regulation keepers catch - 1 for not many.

It was at this point the Champs were introduced to the guy who is becoming a bit of a 4ths batting legend - Mr Vinay. The Reverend welcomed him to the crease with some wonderful biblical quotes from the safety of 2nd slip, Limbrick prayed at 1st , Spainy gave him the stare, mid wicket and cover took a few cautious steps back, other bowlers looked to the heavens and, as they say in the classics, the game was afoot.

But a mere 32 balls later (53 runs) Mr Vinay was on his way back to the pavilion having succumbed to the guile of that master craftsmen, "Disco" Dick, and being adjudged LBW plumb in front. A deserved wicket for Disco (1 for 28) who again bowled a great spell which included that rarest of rarest - a maiden.

Unfortunately wickets were also a rare treat with the only other wicket to fall being to Phil "the Younger" (1 for 15) who was steaming in and could have caused some problems with a few more runs to defend.

166 proved to be not quite enough runs and everything had to go right. Some mixed bowling combined with a number of chances going down , some tough , some easy, providing Andhra with a fairly comfortable 7 wicket win.

Although, again it must be said, the Champs were well in this game for most of the day.

Thanks to Adrian Cheah for doing a great job of the 12th man duties and in doing so managing to confuse the opposition batsmen and umpires - I think we should use this ploy more often.

A weeks break and then back in to it again on the 29th June vs Credit Suisse @ Turf City

Cheers Steve