So, the finals day arrived & Gt.Totham were first up in semi-final 1. The players had been WhatsApp-ed, texted, reminded & all 6 were raring to go. Joshua had been injured playing rugby a few weeks before. "Dad, I'm not sure I'll be able to play. I definitely can't bowl." Pooky's mum came along to support the team. Cheesey brought along most of the family. Nick was up for the game. John was nervous about the health crisis (what to do - shake hands, fist bump, no physical contact?) Banny just forgot to turn up!!!!!!! "Joshua, you've got to bowl", as Nick claims complete incompetance at bowling near the mat.
John wins the toss & elects to bat, as we've done all season. John tells the team who look dismayed at this decision. Anyhow, the usual order & the usual result. Nick & Joshua move along nicely, but Beaulieu start to be more accurate & slow the scoring down. Eventually Nick goes for 24, replaced by Pooky, who departs not too long later caught out like Nick. Joshua retires, John & Cheesey at the crease. John magnificantly leaves 4 wide deliveries & one no-ball, before being bowled having hit the ball once with the bat. Joshua returns &, considering his badly injured arm, manages to blast his way to 45no, ably supported by Cheesey, who runs well & bats sensibly, giving Joshua the strike & confounding the fielders. 115-3 off 12 overs.
Gt.Totham take the field with the mindset of getting the opposition all out, otherwise the game is lost. Pooky & Cheesey bowl the first 4 overs, Cheesey gets a wicket & the score is well below the run rate. On come the Chadwicks, bowling in tandem, or like they were riding a tandem! The run rate increases & the chances of victory look less likely. But, then Pooky takes a superb catch off John's bowling, followed by another one a few balls later & celebrates like Ben Stokes winning the World Cup Final. Beaulieu are struggling & 3 run outs later, it's all over, A superb victory with only 5 players, against good opposition. We batted well, but, bowled & fielded excellently.
Gt.Totham are still undefeated & through to the final later that day. Not only that, but Banny says he will turn up for the final.
