The crunch time had arrived - the All Ords were up against probably the
team they enjoyed playing against the most in Mr Mankad, since the games
were always so competitive. Win and the grand final beckoned - lose and
the season was over (with the All Ords finishing so far above initial
expectations that it just wasn't believable!). Drinks to drown our
sorrows were only an hour and a bit away.
With Smithy gallivanting around Europe, we had lured Doc Watson back from the sun (it wasn't easy!) to take his place and Pinman had had enough of christenings. Unfortunately, Pretty Boy was unable to attend due to a music rehearsal - yes, thats right a music rehearsal that he could have done on any other night, or so this reporter was told by unnamed sources. The blame was ready to be placed if the All Ords dropped out in this cut-throat final. The team comprised Captain, Pinman, Serry Senior, a tanned (sort of) Doc Watson and the two youngsters of the team, Serry Junior and Serry Junior Junior.
Captain gave us a pep talk before the game (and did well at hiding his surprise that we were even in this position) and had decided on a few radical moves. He had changed batting pairs completely and had decided, despite an abysmal past record, to make us chase. He had reasoned (though early indications were that "reasoned" was an inappropriate word to use) that since our strength was bowling, lets get them under pressure straight away and then hope we weren't chasing a big score. It sounded good in theory.
Serry Junior opened the bowling and was very economical taking 0/7. Doc Watson, fresh from his expedition to warmer climes, showed what a break can do, bowling very quickly and accurately for his best spell of the season, taking 3/-4 including a superb clean bowled and two high class run outs. The opposition were on notice. Serry Junior Junior came on next and bowled nicely allowing 0/11 and Pinman, obviously after heavy family celebrations (at least thats what he implied to this reporter) struggled early but ended with a reasonable 0/12. The first opposition pair had fought back well to make 26 and the game was on in earnest.
Serry Junior Junior opened to the next pair and despite conceding a four, allowed 0/11. Serry Senior was next and bowled without luck taking 0/7 (including a dropped catch behind the stumps by Pinman, who was now officially banned from any family celebrations during the cricket season. Any similarity between Pinman's family and the West Coast Eagles player celebrations is purely coincidence!). Doc Watson, still breathing fire (well, warm Queensland air at the least) came on again and bowled another great over, taking 1 wicket for only 2 runs. Captain then brought himself on and his express pace allowed only 0/7. The second pair had put on a steady 27 and the All Ords appeared to be facing a potentially significant challenge at 53 after 8 overs.
Serry Junior continued his excellent bowling form, fighting back for the All Ords and produced an over of 3/-2 including some great fielding from the side who were fighting hard. Serry Senior bowled next and took 1/1 to keep the pressure up and Pinman bowled without luck and still only allowed 0/10. Captain bowled the last over for only 5 runs without loss, including another dropped catch by Pinman behind the stumps (any kind of celebration, family or not, was now banned for the Pinman) and the last pair had struggled to 14 and the opposition had made 67, a target that was difficult but by no means impossible.
Bowling figures: Serry Junior 3/5, Doc Watson a season best 4/-2, Serry Junior Junior 0/22, Pinman 0/22, Serry Senior 1/8, Captain 0/12
First pair in were the patriarchs of the team, Serry Senior and Doc Watson who were paired together for the first time. Let me just say they played like venerable old gentlemen, not a good thing on the cricket pitch. 5 run outs in four overs told the tale, with this reporter suspecting that sadly, Serry Senior could not keep up with Doc Watson and thus Serry Senior is looking to recruit anyone who might be slower still than himself - one suspects his task is nigh on impossible!). The first over produced 2/-3 (2 run outs). The second 1/1 (one run out). The third a more productive 0/11and the last 2/2 (two more run outs) despite a last ball four from Serry Senior. The pair had put on just 11, with Doc batting well for 12 and Serry Senior struggling on -1.
Next in were the All Ord's young guns in Serry Junior and Junior Junior, also batting together for the very first time. A run out in the first over and 1/-1 wasn't a great start but the opposition were fielding well and not missing their throws at the stumps. The boys showed maturity beyond their years and fought back well, taking 0/7 off the next. Another 1/6 and the runs were ticking over. Sadly the last over produced 2/0 due to the Serry's love of run outs (makes a father proud to see his sons follow in his footsteps!) but the boys had fought hard and done well making 12 runs (Serry Junior 11, Serry Junior Junior 1) against high quality opposition bowling.
This left an impossible target of 45 for the last pair. Captain and Pinman were two of the better batsmen in the team all season and an established batting pair. However under the enormous pressure of the chase and the fact that, if they failed, it was season over, the crowd and the rest of the All Ords were already arguing about who was going to buy the condolence drinks for drowning our sorrows up at the cricketers bar. The pair started very well taking 12 runs off the first over thanks to some adventurous batting by both players. In the background, one could here Serry Senior and Doc Watson arguing about the possibility of the All Ords winning - one suspects Serry Senior is a glass half-empty kind of guy and Doc Watson is the kind of guy who believes in fairy tales. Only time would tell who would be right. The next over saw our pair batting extremely well, making runs without risk and another 8 without loss.
Two overs to go, 25 insurmountable runs to score.
The guys were turning over the strike beautifully, and a superb four from Captain saw another 13 runs put on and no wickets lost. The guys were on fire, and despite the pressure cooker situation had not looked like losing a wicket. One could hear Serry Senior saying "no matter what happened, the guys were heroes". Mind you, he was also heard saying "we cant do it, one mistake and we are gone" as the last pair needed 12 runs off the final over. The opposition, for the first time in the match, this reporter suspects, actually contemplated the possibility of losing - all the credit for the doubt in the opposition minds must go to our last batting pair.
12 runs. Six balls. 2 runs every ball. Serry Senior jumping up and down in the background muttering "they couldn't do it, could they???" and "it would be a miracle".
Pinman takes two runs off the first ball. 10 off 5 needed. The bowler is spearing it in. All the fieldsmen are on their toes. Serry Senior is standing on his chair. Captain takes a single off the next and we fall a little behind. Another single to Pinman and we are struggling.
Three balls. 8 off 3. A six or four required but our best batsmen in and our most prolific six-hitter, Captain, facing the music. The ball is well pitched up. Captain is ready and pounces, stroking the ball back over the bowlers head. The man on the boundary gets both hands to the ball but only succeeds in deflecting it to the back fence, where it was headed at speed, for six. Serry Senior is seen wiping tears from his eyes (likes a win doesn't he). The Captain has done the unthinkable, under impossible pressure, and hit the six (plus one for running) we desperately needed.
Two balls to go. Scores are level. (This reporter would like to assure you he is making none of this up - well, not the score anyway).
Pinman facing. He strokes the ball forcefully to the back side net, and scores three. We are in front.
If we lose a wicket, scores would be level and we would lose on skins. Serry Senior is seen hiding behind his hands.
One ball to face. Captain just has to keep it out. Its outside off. He starts to leave it and it starts to swing back. He slams bat on ball and keeps it out to complete one of the greatest victories in living memory. Our star batting pair has made a mammoth 47 under unbearable pressure (Captain 26, Pinman 21) and have taken us from boiled lollies to a sublime victory in four heart-gripping overs. The best batting of the season, without doubt. Serry Senior was seen hugging both players (until dragged away by more reasonable people) and has conceded that Pinman can have as many family celebrations. or West Coast celebrations as he wants from now on!!!!
Official Man of the Match; Captain (followed closely by Pinman)
Grand Final to come
Wednesday 30 October 8.10pm
To all the All Ords players, yes, you weren't dreaming - it really happened so please turn up on the night!