Result:  match drawn

Scores:  Ferring 171 for 2    Alts 109 for 6

 

Chappers heroic “go slow”  innings stunts fiery Ferring attack – Alts remain unbeaten

 

Chappers mantra to himself –  “I will not, I will not be moved”

 

The teams met at a wet, grey, forlorn Wish Park with steady drizzle falling. But with a resolute, Blitz-spirit decided to battle on regardless of the weather. Anyway, there would always be a warm cup of tea to look forward to between innings.

The game was to be played as a timed match (and not limited overs) meaning a result could only be achieved if the losing team was bowled out. Skipper Boden won the toss and elected to field first. Bowlers Stenner and Nutbean kept a steady line and caused a couple of balls to zip up off the wicket but couldn’t dislodge Ferring’s competent opening batters.  The openers showed discipline on a tough wicket and accumulated runs at a good rate. Bryden and Felce took over the bowling but still could not gain the breakthrough. Mellowship tried to rally the team with confident predictions of sunshine and wickets, but neither came.

Then, Goodwin stepped forwards and got the crucial first wicket in his first over, snatching a difficult return catch. Unfortunately, this proved to be a rare wicket. In the damp, rainy conditions successive tricky chances were dropped through sodden, numb fingers. The ball absorbed water and became a misshapen, leathery sponge that didn’t help either batter or bowler. A damp despondency descended and chilled through down to the fielder’s bones, but at least there would be a warm cuppa in the interval.

In the final overs, the scoring slowed as the game struggled to beat the torrid conditions. Chappell, slipping and sliding across the muddy outfield, bowled a neat spell and was rewarded with a deserved wicket. Bodie bowled in the final overs and created chances but all went begging as thoughts had turned to the warmth and comfort of a good tea-time brew and shelter from the Wish Park gloom. By the end, Ferring had managed an impressive 171-2.

 

Jon was not ‘appy, and he let the catering staff know his feeling in no uncertain terms!

No one comes in the way of Cap’n Boden and his half time brew!

 

And then. The HORROR! The HORROR!! As the teams staggered back to the clubhouse they entered the heart of darkness. For now, the terrible reality struck. There was NO tea-urn. What had happened to the tea-urn? No promised cup of our cherished, hot, humble brew to revitalise the beleaguered. A scandalised shock fell amongst the team as it became evident the Wish Park café had abandoned its post amidst the constant rain and relinquished the tea-making responsibilities. The game would have to soldier on, but many were left disappointed, some distraught.

 

Chappers ongoing mantra to himself –  “I will not, I will not be moved”

 

Chappell and Bell opened the Alternatives’ innings. Both started confidently. Bell hit the ball with customary force and good timing as it raced to the boundary. If Bell could stay at the crease, then the prospect of chasing a victory seemed real. Alas, a top-edge saw Bell caught, and then Bodie and Bryden fell soon after. The Alternatives’ middle order was exposed, and the prospect of victory gone with the loss of the fastest scorers.

 

“I will not, I will not be moved”

 

Nutbean and Chappell consolidated and batted steadily through the middle of the innings. However, Nutbean was caught as he tried to hit out against tight bowling. By this stage there was no realistic chance of winning, so Boden joined Chappell looking to survive the final 12 overs to avoid defeat.

 

 

“I will not, I will not be moved”

 

Chappell showed resolve and stamina, defending his wicket and snuffing out any risk of a batting collapse. Eventually, he fell in the final overs but by now a draw was secured. Mellowship confidently demonstrated his defensive prowess in the final over and the Alternatives happily settled for a draw.

The unbeaten season marches on. The damp, sodden British weather (and the Wish Park tea-urn debacle) will not beat the Alternatives.

 

Scorecard:

Ferring CC: 171-2

Bowling figures:

Stenner: 4-0-16-0

Nutbean: 4-1-20-0

Bryden: 7-1-16-0

Felce: 3-0-18-0

Goodwin: 4-0-25-1

Chappell: 4-0-14-1

Partridge: 4-0-24-0

Mellowship: 4-0-20-0

Bodie: 4-0-11-0

 

The Alternatives: 109-6

Batting:

Chappell: LBW 24

Bell: Caught 19

Bodie: Caught 4

Bryden: Caught 3

Nutbean: Caught 21

Boden: Not Out 16

Stenner: LBW 0

Mellowship: Not Out 0

 

Rest did not bat.

 

As night fell over Wish Park Chappers remained unmovable – “You’ll never get me oot lad, I’m playing for me bloody averages me”
(spoken in Boycottesque northern accent)