Results:  We’re on our way

Scores:  Cainers 146-8 after 35 overs  Mighty Alts: 148-3 (with 10 overs to spare)

 

We’re on our way – CAINERS CRUSHED (again)!!!

 

These are troubled times. A chaotic Brexit, the surge of ultra-right politics rising across Europe, the lunacy of Trump’s finger resting on the nuclear button against North Korean militaristic bombast. Nervous twitching spreads across our global consciousness. But these anxieties pale when you compare them with the true clash of our times. Cricket helps to bring perspective. The Alternatives versus the Cainers truly matters, and its significance will never be dimmed.

Wish Park was the chosen venue. It stands possibly alone among the pantheons of cricket; booby-trapped with dog turd and hidden holes. The sight of a dog agility lesson in the outfield before the game reinforced legitimate concerns and the ground’s reputation.

Boden skippered the Alternatives and chose to bowl on a bright, sunny afternoon. Clarke bowled briskly but his opening partner, Scores (2-34), grabbed the vital early wickets. Firstly, getting the Cainer’s skipper to edge his defensive prod, with Boden taking the diving catch. Then, a nicely disguised slower ball shattered the next batsman’s wicket.

 

A huge moment in the match – Rupert on his way for a duck !! A  swinging off breaking yorker, with a bit of movement off the seam, and then some reverse swing from Score. One handed diving catch from our skipper

 

The Cainers were in trouble and soon it got worse for them. Waldman and Bryden took over the bowling and gave nothing away. Bryden bowled a tight and varied spell, snaring two further wickets. Whilst Waldman picked up the crucial wicket just as the big-hitting Cainers’ no.5 started to accelerate his innings. A steepling top-edged hook sparkled and shone in the sky until it was snaffled like a Golden Snitch by Goodwin.

At drink’s break, the Cainers had struggled to 78-5, with extras providing most of their runs. After the break, the middle order consolidated the innings but never threatened to cut loose with the scoring. By the final overs, a late run charge had been set up as the Cainers had wickets in the bank. But masterful finishing bowling by Spink (1-4) and Bryden (3-11) snuffled out any chance of a run spree. A final score of 146-7 in the 35 overs was reasonable after a poor start, but still looked a bit short.

Tea was taken but was unsettled by a raging, almost bitter, debate. Dissenting voices within the team could not agree whether the café had served a banana cake or was it a bread pudding? Fortunately, any unpleasant acrimony was averted when both parties across the divide could agree that the bake was a smidge stodgy and the bottom was definitely soggy.

 

Green and Boden opened the Alternatives’ innings but the partnership soon floundered. Boden took the very un-Brearley like decision of a reckless single, causing the needless run out of a disgruntled Green (should anyone be interested, and if you have time, Green will happily spend an hour or more offering his further thoughts on the Cainer wicketkeepers efforts and his running roughshod over the rules of our fine game!).

 

Our very own “Bodie and Doyle” (cue theme tune)

 

Spink came to the crease and immediately provided a composed and reassuring presence. Boden (20) was bowled but the scoring was advancing well ahead of the required run rate. Bodie, making his debut, reinforced the middle-order with his sturdy and muscular batting. Together, Spink and Bodie never looked troubled and dominated the bowling. Runs flowed at a steady pace and it came as a surprise when Bodie (31) holed out in the deep.

 

watchful defense from Bodie (Mick a few words needed re black cricket shoes !)

 

classic defence from Doyle (previously know as Spinkers)

 

Thompson joined Spink to deliver the coup de grace. Thompson (14*) set off a couple of his customary firecrackers, swiping good length balls off his middle stump to a distant faraway corner.

The game was won by 7 wickets. Spink (56*) had provided the side’s backbone, but this was a thoroughly team performance. The Cainer’s put out a strong XI but were well beaten by the united force of the Alternatives. Although some still disagreed about the banana cake at the end.

 

 

The victorious Alts  team – and lets hear it for Score and our new team caps – they looked brilliant

 

A slightly more flattering pic of our very own “Bodie and Doyle”

 

One by one the Cainers trudged off into the night, leaving the victorious Alts to celebrate long, long into the night. To the victors the spoils (and hangovers!!)

 

 

Scorecard:
The Cainers: 146-7
Bowling figures:
Clarke: 7-2-15-0
Scores: 7-0-34-2
Waldman: 8-0-50-1
Bryden: 6-0-11-3
Goodwin: 2-0-15-0
Spink: 4-0-4-1
Thompson: 1-0-8-0

Catches: Boden (2); Goodwin (1)

The Alternatives: 148-3
Batting:
Green: Run out 5
Boden: Bowled 20
Spinks: Not out 56
Bodie: Caught 31
Thompson: Not out 14

Rest did not bat.