2014: match v Phil Mannings XI

 The Alternatives batted first in this 30 overs contest and started dismally. Three early wickets fell leaving the team struggling at 8 for 3 and desperate for a recovery.

However, help was at hand. Steely, skilful batting from Green and Spink saved the day. From the hazardous situation of a drunk lurching around cold, eerie empty streets after midnight, the team was swept into the warm comfort of a friendly, familiar taxi-cab and delivered safely back home. Such was the assurance and composure of our batters that a chanceless partnership stretched the opposition and run-scoring followed in a brisk manner.

The local rules meant that first Spink, and then Green, had to retire when they had reached 40 runs. By now the score was over 100, but more runs were needed and overs were beginning to peter out.

A flurry of wickets left The Alternatives looking for impetus. Who could deliver the necessary jolt to lift the flagging innings? Where was the lightning bolt coming from? And then the right man arrived…Thompson.

 

 

If  Phil Manning and his men were expecting an ordinary number 11 to come in at the end they were wrong. Thompson paced and charged about the crease with adrenaline escaping from every pore. He crashed boundaries in a buccaneering fashion with Score (18 no) providing able support at the other end. By the time he was out Thompson had scored 28 with beefy, brisk liveliness and the final innings total had risen to 156. A decent outcome after a terrible start.

The Phil Mannings’ innings started slowly under the pressure of good tight bowling. Although no wickets fell in the first 15 overs, the rate of scoring was miserly. Gradually, with sinister stealth, the boa constrictor bowling tightened its coils around the choking gasping chest, eking towards the last breath. Olliff was particularly parsimonious with two maidens in his allotted four overs.

 

 

 

By the halfway stage, the batsman realised they had to up the scoring and make a break for the total. However, Pinakin took a brilliant catch to split the opening partnership and wickets started to tumble. Manning’s team managed to speed up but never really looked like catching up the lost ground caused by their slow start.

An effective over from Webb near the end finished the game as a contest and the opposition were left 18 runs short, stranded at 138. Victory for The Alternatives and well deserved!

 

 

 

 

Having ventured to the barren wastelands of Whitehawk the Alts return to safety of the Hove and welcoming embrace of the Cricketers public house to celebrate their glorious victory