Seconds Match Report for 24th August 2008 vs Fairbairn SCF 2nds

THE SPRINGFIELD SPIRIT - J. Burrows

I can only say today was about true Springfield spirit and nothing else. At 11.30 this morning, I was a touch worried and received several phone calls and emails querying whether the game was actually on. Believe me, I went to the ends of the earth to find out what was going on, including various weather websites, a trip to the airport, and a random chat with the groundsman way before the game.

GAME ON!!!!!!!!!!

The outfield was very wet when we arrived, and the square was starting to dry out, but it was a very weird pitch, it looked ok, but being Les Quennevais, you knew it could do absolutely anything. A toss we desperately wanted to win, was lost. Robbo snr, blamed the coin I gave him, I blame the fact he didn’t walk to the middle. But he’s getting on, so I’ll let it go. Put into bat, we felt extremely good.

However, it just wasn’t going to be our day on a wicket that was almost certainly a bowlers. It was swinging and moving more than Pete Canham on a trip to Alderney.

Ed Kean, who would probably have failed a drugs test today was out early doors, chasing a wild one, shortly followed by Monty Renouf. Unfortunately, they both got very good balls, and it just wasn’t to be. Peter Osmont in his usual 4 spot, took the challenge, and was pushing the ball around quite nicely, until he was caught very well for 4.

So with the Robson’s at the wicket, they set about posting a partnership. To be fair they did their best until Paul got a beauty which just nicked his off stump. Woody feeling good, after so many ducks on this wicket, was starting to look very very useful, until a slight mix up led to him being run out. Up next, a young chap, Alex Cooke, tried his best, but soon followed. Richard Parker, fresh from zero cricket over the past few weeks, looked like a man possessed, and in true RP style, refused to run singles. Boundary was the name of the game. 22 off very few balls followed until he was caught out, playing a trademark swipe, by a man who can only be described as strange. 2 t shirts, a jacket and a jumper. Hmmm, if I’m not mistaken, is that not a man on the come down, or one who is ill and shouldn’t be playing cricket.

Ryan Evans went to the crease, with myself for accompaniment, and we set about pushing the score on. I did my best, and 2 edges through Pugsley, who in all seriousness couldn’t actually catch a cold, were followed by the most sublime cover drive for 4. It really was picture perfect. However, next time, I might be better off not appreciating my shots, as next ball I chose to play all around a straight one. Stupid! Up next was one of the men of Springfield who has shown true spirit this year, but Will Villiers cow corner shots were cut short when he was bowled by a peach of an inswinging yorker after scoring just one.

I think this might be the worst Aztec Springfield 2nd XI batting performance of the year, but 115 all out was a team effort, and everybody contributed. Well done boys.

After a short session in the changing room, back out we went with a task in hand. The order of the day was to enjoy ourselves, but if we had last, all was not in the battle for the league. A fantastic team talk by Robbo snr, and a hand in to start set the tone. However, their opening batsmen, were looking sharp and in the mood to do the business. One Fairbairn SCF quote was that this will be done in 10 overs. Hello! This is Springfield sunshine, the game ain’t done yet. After backing up a dive from Monty to chase down a ball at mid on, Will Villiers threw in true from 30 metres (for the first time ever) and Cookie took the bails to ensure the (frankly stupid) run out. 1 down. Paul Dicker lasted very little time before giving a dolly to Woody at short mid on. The team were celebrating before the catch was in. 2 down.

A large partnership soon came to fruition, but with 2 down, we could smell more. With the help of the Pat Kelly voice in my head, I could only think what if we got one more. Up stepped Peter Osmont, who got thrashed around in his first over, produced an absolute peach, which I gladly took when their best batsman clipped it. To be honest it was a good job he walked as I don’t think the umpire would have given it. (I have been subsequently informed by Will that he over heard the umpire say he would have triggered him if he didn't, so apologies there). 3 down.

With the very strange batsman at the other end who was giving lip like nobody’s business, we could smell something funny. For once it wasn’t a finger pulling session. He was giving it large to Robbo snr, who bit his tongue, and then had the last laugh when he caught him attempting another agricultural shot. 4 down.

At 92 for 4 at the drinks break, it looked pretty much done, but a fired up Cookie basically demanded to be given the ball back as he wanted to finish his allotted 8 overs. Games as finely poised as this are never done. Ever. Good call Master Cooke. He returned to take a further 2 wickets, and finished with figues of 8 overs, 3 for 21. While at the other end Peter Osmont, was doing his all round thing again, and was chipping in with wickets. 5,6,7 and 8 down.

The only problem at this stage, was that we were running out of runs to play with, while they still had a lot of overs and a few wickets. Nevertheless, there is only one Springfield, and it can only be said that the heckling/support of us from Yvonne & Roly, that got us through. There was all sorts of abuse flowing, but you know what it did the trick.

Up next Ryan Evans. He might be young, but his dad could learn a few things. Will Villiers at the other end had come off, after being bashed around a bit, but more importantly was upset after a decision didn’t go his way. Perhaps the umpire should watch the game and not concentrate on sleeping! Plum LBW if ever I’ve seen one. (Should have been 9 down).

Anyway back to business, Ryan’s bowling, it can only be said, was decisive. He bowled accurately, and with the advice of a certain Mr Villiers who really kept him going took the wicket of Pugsley. Now this was Plum LBW. He had to give it, although Pugsley didn’t want to walk. Good decision umps. 9 down.

With so few runs required and an awful lot of overs to play, yet one wicket, it was nail biting. Thank god I had gloves on. Batting at 10, Screech looked pretty useful and got them to 110 with 12 overs left. Yes 6 runs from 12 overs. ½ a run an over was not a lot. Their number 11 took a few balls to get going against miniature Evans, but hit 2 runs to take them to 4 runs from victory. But Ryan followed up with a dot ball. His next ball was an absolute peach. It was so good, as soon as it left his hand, I knew it was a wicket taking delivery, yes, the stumps were shattered.

10 DOWN!!!! AZTEC SPRINGFIELD 2ND’S WIN BY 3 RUNS!!!!!!!!!

It was an absolutely fabulous game today, and it really was the spirit of the side which took us to victory. I cannot say how elated I am, that we won from the point at which we were.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank a few people for coming to today’s game, Scott Roberts, James Vallois, The Evans Family, Roly & Yvonne. Guys, really special thanks for coming and heckling, and Phil to umpiring.

So it would seem that the 2ND’s have done the business and should have secured the league title with one game to play.

Guys it has been an absolute pleasure all season playing with each and every one of you. Everyone has put so much effort in, and really contributed when the chips have been down. Its really well deserved for everybody. The only sad factor is that skipper Will Gorman is on holiday/honeymoon and missed it. Nevertheless, I held out as long as I could not to tell him, just for pure fun factor, but have now informed him of the result. He’s off out to enjoy it in Spain.

And on that note, I am too! I will be out 'till late, enjoying myself having a drink for everyone that has played!

Gents a super season is very nearly at a close, but its been a rollercoaster, and one which is really well deserved. Enjoy it, you've earned it.