The build up to the second game was simply enormous - our Captain and best player, Dean, pulled a muscle (Editor's comment: heart or back we aren't sure!) and after intense physio failed to come up for the match. Serry senior, as the oldest member of the team, was struggling after the short three day break but managed to play (sadly for all, as you will read later!). Doc Watson managed to hurt his knee in the bowling warm-up and thus we were off to a flying start. Both Serry senior and Smithy didn't seem to be able to raise their bowling arm's above shoulder height so we were looking good. Our Captain's replacement was Justin Hill, a friend of Serry junior, and we were hoping an injection of more youth would kick us along.
We opened the bowling against a pair that clearly were on horse steroids. Whilst their size was intimidating, the fact that they wouldn't share their secret to such huge bodies was more so! They managed 10 runs each over for three of the four overs but were brought back to earth with a great over from Hilly who took 2/-4 and at the end of the first four, they had been held to only 32.
The second pair made steady progress against tight bowling and fielding (Serry junior's stop and throw to run out one batsman a highlight) and at the end of their 4 overs had added another 33.
The last pair played lots of dinky shots to the side nets but some good tight fielding and a magnificent stumping from stand-in keeper Pinman (our normal keeper Smithy being too sore from the previous game to bend) kept the last pair to just 27 and an overall total of 92. A fine fielding display by all with 6 run outs in the innings!
Bowling figures were: John W. 1/23, Justin 2/5, Sean 0/23, Smithy 1/20,
Serry senior 2/13, Serry Junior 2/8
Our reliable opening batting pair Smithy and the Doc strode out to battle and were struggling at 7 runs after two overs but two factors changed the game completely - Doc decided that, unlike the previous week, boxers were banned as a health hazard, and protection of the family jewels seemed to build his confidence. More importantly however, the opposition made a big mistake in upsetting Smithy - in trying to take a run, Smithy was completely blocked by the fieldsman and was subsequently run out - the umpire gave no sympathy, but all it did was spur on our opening pair who put on 29 runs in the next two overs to end up with 36 from their 4 overs and put us in with a fighting chance (Smithy 21, Doc 15).
Smithy, the acting captain, sent in the youngsters, Hilly and Serry junior. They batted steadily and maturely for the first three overs making 26 with little risk and then a slight brain freeze at the end with an over of 2/-2 meant a total of 24 for the pair (Serry junior 16, Hilly 8). We needed 33 for victory.
In a scene reminiscent of a rocky movie, on strode Serry senior and the Pinman. Rocky movies are inspiring because of the final victory but I know in one of the rocky movies, Rocky gets knocked out - that's the scene it reminded me of. Serry senior started on strike and couldn't seem to get off strike - poor Pinman was stranded down the other end and showed admirable patience. In four overs, the pair could only manage 10 runs (Serry senior 1, Pinman 9) despite only losing two wickets, and the team suffered its first loss. Pinman batted well when he got the opportunity to face the bowler, which wasnt often as Serry senior couldn't pierce the field!
Unlike little Johnie Howard, Serry senior was able to say SORRY for this performance (he searched for excuses like the three day break, Dean not giving him the bat he had last week, it was that time of the month and of course, supporting Richmond can do strange things to you but in the end, simply wanted us to thank the Pinman for his understanding and restraint!)
Whilst an opposition player won umpire's man of the match, Serry junior was voted man of our team for his consistency in batting, bowling and fielding on the night. A special mention to Hilly who bowled exceptionally well in his debut and to Smithy for not starting a brawl with the opposition for that run out.
Thank goodness there is over a week till the next game !!!!!