The Riverside Indoor League may be over, but never fear the Northern Gateway continues for another 3 weeks for all your Indoor cricket needs. This week we faced Real Oddies - Jacob Slater made his debut, with No Byes dropped for conceeeing too many byes last time out. JFH, Bowser, Value, Pigeon & Harry Maguire made up the rest of the squad.
As usual, we won the toss & chose to bowl without hesitation. The Oddies gave us a ball made by Warsop, which was a lot softer than the Readers Rock so we felt it might actually turn this week. Value opened up well, although did throw in his customary front foot No-Ball. Yeatsey struggled to grip the ball in his first over and went for plenty. There was a run out in his over though, saving his graces slightly. When pitched, the ball was definitely spinning more. RK decided throwing the ball at his toes would be a good length first up, miraculously spared a wide as the batsman decided to glove it round the corner. Possibly the worst dot ball all season. He blamed his shoulder seizing up, but it clearly loosened up quickly as the next 5 balls only went for 3 runs.
JFH took two wickets, no hint of turn in his over, not that any was expected. There was a short interval while Pigeon nursed a broken wing having slipped on some water that had somehow made its way onto the playing surface. Fortunately no lasting injuries, however if any injury lawyers want to get in touch, there's definitely a claim to be had. He could have been killed (to be read in your best Sir Alex impression). Oddies scored pretty well, but we continually pegged them back with 8 wickets in total. Four of which were run out. Slats the highlight with a brilliant catch off the ceiling and a run out. In the end we restricted Oddies to 89.
Plenty of changes were made in the batting order this week. RK back opening with Bowser, and it was another strong start with 48 runs scored. RK particularly dismissive of the Oddies spinners with some powerful drives down the ground. Even more pleasing, he hogged the strike for the majority of the pair, so Yeatsey again faced less than 10 balls. 31 from 17 and 15 from 7 for the openers. Pigeon & Value came in next, Pigeon struggling with his boo boo & the responsibility of being the senior partner in the pair, immediately running Ed out & looking frenetic as he chased after wide balls. A word from the coach calmed him down & despite 3 wickets falling, they did advance the score by 26. Value hitting a particularly lovely 6 down the ground. The crowd were shocked, but that's what happens when you come to training kids. Pigeon 2 (14) & Value 18(11).
JFH & Jakey Slats just needed to bat sensibly to ensure victory. The pair did this comfortably, Slats impressive again especially on debut. Took to the style of Indoor cricket like a duck to water, an almost German like efficiency to his 3 hitting. He was run out thanks to a shocking call by Jonny, but in the end it didn't matter. A partnership of 39 guaranteeing the victory. JFH 13(10) & Jakey Slats 14(14).
Next up, Ardleigh. Looking like the coach may have to turn into player-coach this week with both JFH & Drewmond out. The win keeps us in the top 3 of the division.
