On a high after their win over the top team, you would have thought the All Ords would have arrived full of confidence for their next match - not so. The three day turn around was not helping the older team members who didn't seem that keen to practice prior to the game. The All Ords won the toss and decided to bat first (they didn't fall for the opposition tactic of having only a couple of players at the start and asking to bat first - and then the other 4 players come out of the gents toilet as soon as the game has started as no-one likes batting second and chasing!). The team was represented by Captain Hanlon, Smithy, Doc, Pinman, Serry Senior and Serry Junior.
First pair in were Serry Senior and Serry Junior, who had been seen having a long discussion about running between the wickets prior to the game. The first over produced 11 runs (including a six off the last ball by Serry Senior) and of course, one run out. The second over produced two runs and of course, one run out. The third over miraculously produced seven runs without loss with both players rotating the strike well and the last over another 9 without loss (the opposition missed the throw at the stumps) and the All Ords had started well making 29 off the first four (Serry Senior 27, Serry Junior 2).
Second pair in were Smithy and the Doc. The start wasn't ideal with Smithy getting stumped down leg side off the first ball and bowled off the last to result in a first over of 2/0. The second over produced five runs and a catch as Doc decided to go for the big hit. The third produced six runs and a run out, but a much better last over scored 9 without loss. The second pair had put on 20 (Smithy 12, Doc 8) and the All Ords were on 49.
The last pair started steadily with six off the first over and increased the pace beautifully with 13 off the second. Pinman and Captain were both hitting the nets with most shots and handling the bowling with aplomb. The third over resulted in another 12 runs without loss and the last a magnificent 18 (including a superb 6 off the last ball by the Captain). The last pair had put on an elegant 49 (Pinman 21, Captain 28), amazingly without losing a single wicket in a magnificent effort and the All Ords finished with a very competitive 98 against a team which had bowled well, with no obvious weaker bowler.
Doc opened the bowling and was hit for 11 runs including one four. Serry Senior came in next and had a caught and bowled resulting in 1/7. Serry Senior had noticed the opposition batsman leaving his crease and had pretended to bowl and then mankad the batsman - some would suggest it was an act of extreme good sportsmanship to pretend to hit the stumps and not do so (others have suggested he was trying to but simply missed). Needless to say that was three runs that could have been saved (read on Macduff!). Captain then brought himself on and bowled well conceding only 6 runs and then Pinman allowed another 8 for the loss of one wicket. The opposition had started well scoring 32.
The second pair faced their first over from Serry Junior who was right on the spot and despite being hit for one four, ended a fine over taking 2 for 4. Smithy then bowled without luck for 9 runs and Pinman continued the pressure taking 2/-3 including a fine stop and throw from Serry Junior for the run out. The last over was bowled by Smithy for only seven runs, and there were chances for at least 5 wickets in his over, none of which stuck in a hand or hit the stumps. The second pair had made only 17 for a total of 49 and the All Ords were in front.
Doc opened to the last pair and took 1/10. Serry Senior came on and the day had arrived that he had been dreading - bowling to a person that liked playing slow high looping spin bowling that doesn't spin - three sixes later and 0/26 off the over and the All Ords were back in trouble. Captain tried to halt the rot but the opposition where in full flight and hit 12 off his over for no loss of wicket and then Serry Junior tried to save the day but while bowling very well, could only manage 1/4 and the All Ords had lost by three runs.
Bowling figures: Doc 1/21, Serry Senior 1/33, Captain 0/18, Pinman 3/5, Serry Junior 3/8, Smithy 0/16
Official Man of the Match: Serry Senior - yes, thats right, the umpire awarded man of the match to Serry Senior - a quick check by the other players confirmed there was no other Alan on either side and the bowling and batting figures on the drink card were in fact for Serry Senior. One can only assume a finite number of possibilities. One, the umpire was blind and this may be why he got on so well with the All Ords and a reason why there were no contentious issues (other than man of the match). Two, the umpire felt Serry Senior was most in need of a drink after being hit for three sixes. Three, that the umpire did appear quite old and thus was feeling sorry for the oldest player on the ground, especially since Serry Senior had mentioned to the umpire how the three day breaks were killing him and he was having trouble raising his arm above his waist to bowl, and below his knees to field (which didn't leave much flexibility for playing cricket).
But this reporter suspects that none of the above reasons are valid and in fact, that this abuse of umpiring integrity could rock the foundations of the cricket establishment. This reporter believes that there is corruption at the highest levels of Division 7 cricket (we didn't say high, we said highest). Whilst we have no evidence of money changing hands, we suspect something (what we cannot say for fear of legal consequences) is fishy in the State of Box Hill.
We will be watching and digging with interest for further implications.