Result:  Won by 118 runs

Scores:  30 over match Alts 208 for 3    Phil manning XI 90 for 6

 

Alts crush Woody Allen XI

 

The Manning XI certainly had obviously been in Winter training, as their fielding mobility had certainly improved from last year

 

The Manning XI had their usual boisterous support with them – The Manning Barmy Army were in full voice

 

On a lovely summer’s afternoon, the Alternatives played the Phil Manning’s XI in a 30-over contest. Typically, the Manning’s side reflects a slightly more geriatric section of the cricketing world and this year proved no exception. Unfortunately, this meant two of the Manning’s players failed to turn up for the game…possibly distracted by a catastrophic loss of a jigsaw piece or called away by an aphids’ invasion terrorising their roses. Maybe they simply couldn’t find their glasses.

Whatever the reason, it was agreed that the Alternatives should bat first. Green and Chappell set upon the gentle bowling and thrashed quick 30s so that they were forced to retire. Score came to the crease and similarly dominated the demoralised bowling, taking successive 4s then a 6 in the same over. The harsh batting treatment meted out on the bullied bowlers may have raised alarms with Age Concern.

By the midway stage, the Alts were 128-1 with the unfortunate Raikes being the only wicket to fall. Raikes was forced by injury to require a runner. Green was chosen for the task but appeared to struggle with the whole concept. Less a runner and more an ambler, Green set a gentle pace between the wicket until he managed to get run out (so causing Raikes to perish) when trying to take a very slow single.

Strangely, not until the game was well advanced did Phil Manning change his strategy and chose to launch his younger and better bowlers into the fray. Both debutant, Stockbridge, and Clarke fell to good, faster deliveries and a very slight wobble was introduced into the mid-innings.

But Dan Olliff and Bryden batted with aplomb. They adeptly handled the improved bowlers in the second half of the innings and the scoring re-gathered pace as the bowling tired. By the end of the 30 overs, the total had reached an intimidating 208-3 and the Alts were in firm control.

 

The Olliff show

 

The Henners show

 

The Olliff show

 

The Manning’s innings faltered from the start with smart bowling reducing the scoring and taking wickets. Henry Olliff was the pick of the bowlers, taking his first Alts’ wicket and recording bowling figures of 4-2-2-1. Stockbridge also took a debut wicket, bowling with a classical upright action and getting away-swing at a decent pace. By the end of the 15^th over, the Manning’s XI were reduced to 29-4 and the game was no longer a contest.

 

Last years bowling scrooge – Dan who ?

 

Bowling Scrooge 2017 – Youngers Henners – 4 overs, 1 wickets for 2 runs – have some of that !!

 

At this stage, the Alts started to lose their focus.

Bryden was seen wandering aimlessly across the outfield, in a rambling fashion like Wordsworth romantically dreaming among daffodils in the Lake District. Green decided to stay on a comfortable bench chatting to Superted in the shade for long periods. Time seemed to stand still, occasionally punctuated by Mellowship’s grumbling at the skipper. Despite taking two fine wickets, Mel managed to blame erroneous field placements whenever batsmen swiped his rank long-hops to the boundary.

And so, the game gently petered out as the inevitable crushing victory followed. The Alternatives proved to be too strong for Phil Manning’s team who finished on 90-6.

 

Changing of the guard – Younger Henners now the premier Olliff strike bowler

 

easy Mel !!

 

 

Scorecard:

The Alternatives: 208-3

Batting:

Green: Retired 30 not out

Chappell: Retired 31 not out

Raikes: Run out 17

Score: Retired 33 not out.

Clarke: Bowled 12.

Stockbridge: Bowled 8.

Bryden: Retired 32 not out.

Olliff (Dan): 26 not out

Olliff (Henry): 7 not out.

 

Mellowship and Boden did not bat.

 

Phil Manning’s XI: 90-6

Bowling figures:

Olliff (Dan): 3-1-7-0

Olliff (Henry): 4-2-2-1

Stockbridge: 5-1-10-1

Clarke: 2-1-1-0

Mellowship: 4-0-21-2

Bryden: 4-0-12-1

Score: 3-1-2-1

Green: 3-0-17-0

Chappell: 2-0-9-0

 

Catches: Boden (1), Mellowship (1)