Third XI Match Report
September 6, 2009
Third XI Tattenhall 2ndXI
INTER-CLUB EXHIBITION MATCH REPORT
Tattenhall 3rd XI –v- Tattenhall 2nd XI – Sunday 6th September 2009
And so the challenge had been set. An inter-club end of season spectacle sees the perennial mid-table 2nd XI Average Joes take on the mighty championship winning 3rd XI.
Met Office Jarrard had kindly prepared a “result” track and the boundary rope had been moved in to ensure a run bonanza (and to aid 2nd XI scoring). 12pm start (1pm if you are Matt Spann), indifferent weather and Davo ready to determine our fate – stick and trainers polished to a military finish. There would follow 90-overs of bitter rivalry and intense competition.
2nd XI: G Harper (c), S Carruthers, A Dyne, A Rouse, I Richards, R Sadler, J Davidson, B Knight, A Brock, T Green, M Williams
3rd XI: A Sandland (c), Wolf, Spraggs, Boonie, Sam, Cottier, Hoops, Spann, Stu Sadler, Cal Booth, The Hux
The match was DRAWN. 2nd XI batted first posting a total of 301. 3rd XI embarked on a determined run-chase and finished on 254-9.
Any game can be viewed in a number of different ways. It all depends on where you are coming from and the direction you are heading. It would be unfair for a single perspective to be offered. The Club has therefore invited the respective Captains to offer their own view on the events of the day. The observations of Alex Sandland and Graham Harper follow:
2nd XI Report:
Those bloody 3rd teamers are big-headed – it’s all about them. So they won their league – and now they fancy their chances against us.
We won the toss and decided to bat. The 3rds had insisted on a midday start but delayed for over half an hour to await the arrival of self-proclaimed all-round hero Matt Spann – they need not have bothered as he only turned up in body – his mind was in another place.
They were actually quite good. We were surprised as we had expected to roll them over. Fair play – they were probably exhausted after a tough championship winning season. Perhaps if we had played them a few weeks earlier the result could have gone their way.
3rd XI Report:
We are the Sunday 1sts, they are the Saturday 2nds. The difference would be minimal – if at all. Saturday or Sunday? - it’s a lifestyle choice, nothing to do with ability – all about availability.
We looked a little off colour - Hoops and Cottier had the shakes, Spraggsy was working off a full English and brunch and early lunch, Spann was still on the M56 and Boonie was reporting pre-match muscle pulls. Perhaps not surprising – it had been a long season for us Champions and we had exhausted ourselves winning 11 matches. Bowling teams out every week can be quite demanding!
Boonie had arrived fully equipped with audio facilities and some top tunes. For a start: “We are the Champions” – as loud as possible to remind the opposition. It must have had an effect as they offered us a ceremonial guard of honour from the changing rooms (bats aloft and heads bowed). Respect!
They got lucky. As the Chinese say: “sometimes the sun shines on a dog’s arse”. Our season’s endeavours had caught up with us and we were so obviously tired. Our championship run-in had been so perfectly timed that we had reached our peak and now needed some time to restore our super-powers. 301 was a reasonable total but hardly convincing. We might regret having given them a head start?
Tea was delicious and that fit bird with the two girls is hot.
By this time fractures had began to show in our opposition. Rouser, Richards and Sadler looked already beaten – the captain had “lost” the dressing room – Bob Knight was being repaired and Carruthers was on his 10th cigar.
Matt Williams had taken seven 2nd team wickets on the previous day but took a brutal battering from Spraggsy early on – such was the force of his beating that the captain removed him from action. Carruthers then found a dead spot half-way down the track to bowl Spraggs and Huxley with low skimmers. Skipper greatly regretted his recent mocking of Davo as he was unfortunately given out stumped by Scouser down the leg side. Square Leg umpire didn’t hesitate – the stick and pearly-white trainers had the last laugh.
Boonie and Sam Green then went about a demolition of the 2nd XI’s finest bowlers. Spann, Wolfie and Cottier continued in the same way in an attempt to surpass the target. Sadly – it was not to be. We simply did not have the required energy after our recent championship victory. We had almost paced the run-total to perfection. In our valiant attempt we had sacrificed necessary wickets but we finished with only 9 down and thus the match was drawn.
Note must be made of Chris Cottier’s massive display of hitting. He scored 4 huge sixes including a first ball roof breaker and another that cleared the club house at moo corner. To add further woe to our opponents, Cottier also struck a blow to the rear light on Brocky’s Merc.
Point proven. The match was a cracker – 550+ runs and 19 wickets. Sunday 1sts hold their own against the Saturday 2nds. Don’t confuse ability with availability!
This exciting encounter now looks like becoming an annual event. Thanks to all involved and to those who contributed. A great day was had by all.
The Scorecard will be posted separately