2014: match v Hurstpierpoint CC

“Feeling lucky batsman? well are you !! 

 

After the disappointment of the Ashes and the football World Cup, a nation turned its sunken lonely eyes to The Alternatives. Yet we few, we happy(ish) few, we band of brothers do not hold our man-hoods cheap. We gathered upon the field at Hurstpierpoint and fought for the greater share of the honour.

The Alternatives batted first and struggled to gain momentum against accurate and metronomic bowling. With few bad balls to seize upon the run rate slowed. Steady contributions from Robertson, Green and Waldman edged the total upwards. Boardman demonstrated able generalship, leading the innings towards the end, although he benefited from a close run-out call when Henry Olliff (acting as opposition substitute fielder) demolished the stumps with a clattering, razor-sharp long throw from the outfield.

 

Boardy on fire – “ave some of that”

 

By the end of the allotted 40 overs, the score looked a bit on the meagre side at 130-5. A below par total would have to rely on the bowling to finish off Hurstpierpoint.

Olliff (senior) and Waldman led the attack and never allowed the young Hurstpierpoint batters to settle. A steady clatter of wickets reflected the bowling dominance. With only two wickets left and nearly 50 runs to gather the game seemed up for Hurstpierpoint. But was it?

 

Is it a bird? is it plane?… no… its Wald-man

 

The next partnership frustrated the bowling. With a combination of youth and experience at each end the batsman regained the advantage. Steadily the approach to the total neared closer…and closer.

With less than 10 runs needed, the skipper turned to Olliff and Waldman to finish off the resistance. But still no wicket came. Hurstpierpoint were just 3 runs short of victory when Olliff bowled the final ball of his spell. And then he struck. A full straight delivery trapped the batsman leg before and the dreaded finger was lifted by the umpire.

 

Turning point?  Hurstpierpoint  umpire makes a massive call – and the Alts are back in the game

 

Now the equation read one wicket needed for The Alternatives and only 3 runs left to protect.

But who would step forward to bowl the next over? It needed no debate as one man lifted himself above all others and demanded the cricket ball. At such moments villains or heroes can be made but this did not appear to worry him.

With an outstretched arm Stenner grabbed the faded, tired ball and held it with a firm grip. He removed his Atlanta cap, the talisman, and a calming aura, maybe a white light, seemed to surround him as he strode to his mark. As he waited, the clouds parted and a single ray of evening sunshine lit him, and him alone, on the now silent pitch. Slowly he started his run-up. Gathering momentum, his strides lengthened and then, with a powerful leap, he released the ball. As it was propelled and then spat off the wicket, the batsman was motionless, almost frozen in time, mesmerised by the ferocity of the moment. And as we watched, the batsman could barely flinch and then he simply slumped, as his stumps were shattered. For a mere fraction all sensed the beatifying moment but then it was gone, lost, too fragile in its beauty, and followed by wild celebrations of The Alternative’s team-mates.

The game had been won.

 

They thinks its all over….It is now.   The Stenner Express re-arranges the  timbers – game set and match Alts

 

victory is sealed

 

The Hurst batsman is inconsolable, but what a jesture from the Stenner Express

 

  Additional pics from the match:

Another tight bowling performance from our very own “bowling scrooge” Dan Olliff

 

Alts wicketkeeper goes into “super slow mo” for a stumping opportunity

 

Hurstpierpoint batsman on the deck after some more aggressive bowling from Olliff

 

 

 

Smells like team spirit

 

 

Supersub Henry – the futures bright… the futures Olliff

 

 Photography – many thanks to Mike Slowers (Hurst wicketkeeper) for his excellent pictures