After a rained off Saturday, the Sunday XI were keen to host a travelling Galleywood side. With Joe Davis away on University duty, DQ stepped up to the plate as skipper. Before the game Jack ridge was buttering up the umpires, trying to give Totham every chance they can at getting the decisions to go there way. Despite his efforts this didn't matter. DQ stepped up to his first toss, losing but getting what he wanted. The Sunday XI were put into bat.
An opening pair of Jacob Slater and a hungover Jack Ridge, Totham would look to build a strong innings. An unfortunate first wicket falling early, Gallywoods opening bowler hooping it in to Jack Ridge, he knew his weakness. In would come Strobe Lightning, a man looking to rekindle his early season form, a quick single, new over, next ball spooned up for the easiest catch of the day. With Totham 2 down for 6 runs, in would come Ryan Kennedy (oldest player, born 1997); a big hitter with a new bat. First ball, bowled leg stump.
With Totham 3 down for 6 runs, a skippers innings was required. In would come DQ; some incredibly mature batting, two massive 6s, one nearly clearing the car park; DQ and Jacob making up for the poor start. Having moved the cars out of fear of DQ's levers, we were expecting some exhibition batting. A quick single behind the keeper would see DQ sprinting from the non strikers end, his call, an unfortunate moment for the skipper running himself out. The Totham massive with few wickets in hand, not looking like a great day.
All credit to Jacob Slater, the 15 year old saw off the opening bowlers, facing 76 balls in total, as a young opening bat he did exactly what was asked of him and everyone was really impressed.
The Totham tail would come in, Owen McCausland; a lovely shot lifted over the bowlers head. His victory in yesterday's pitch and putt clearly rubbing off on his form. A strong total of four from the pie man himself before he peppered one straight to mid off, caught.
In would come Timbo Slice, new floppy on, collar popped, looking like a prime Alec Stewart. With Timbo hitting a few flukey shots and being dropped twice, it was a young Jacob Slater whose luck had run out, finally giving in to the Galleywood bowling attack. A mature innings from the young man that gave Totham a little chance in the game.
The vicar was next in, with the teams moral low. However he came in and looked very assured, blocking the good ball and putting the bad ball away with ease. Tim was the next man to be out, bowled, attempting to sweep a straight one as his middle stump came flying out. Another one bites the dust.
James wheeler was in at 9. The blind man didn't look like messing about. A couple swipes across the line , we knew his intentions. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes, as hot wheels lifts one over the bowlers head for a once bounce 4. A lovely shot. This didn't last long though, as his middle stump also came out flying a few balls later. Up steps his little brother Tommy.
After some resilient batting from the young wheeler and good stokes from the vicar, a respectable partnership was building. After eeing the overs through and scoring some vital runs, it was Jimmy hay who finally gave in to the Galleywood bowler. A ball that just didn't bounce that took his stumps was the difference as he headed back to the pavilion. It was Jess Pugh who took his space.
A batting partnership average age of 14 was now at the crease. The two young talented cricketers were doing the Sunday XI very proud, securing a few extra runs for us to try and defened. We reached a total of 137 after Tommy wheeler fell as the final victim for Galleywood. A valiant display from the two youngest in the team after an overall dissapointing batting performance. A big job was needed with the ball and in the field...
Raring to go and in high spirits, Totham entered the field. The skipper was doing his finest Joe Davis impression, as DQ opened the bowling with himself and the blind man, James wheeler. The two couldn't make a break through despite some good tidy bowling. The short boundary was targeted by the Galleywood 1s opening batsmen, who looked in a hurry to get the job done. The batting team were 65-0 from 9 overs following the openers spells. The first change bowlers had a lot of work to do.
On came the youngsters, Tommy Wheeler and Jess Pugh. The two continued to do the Sunday XI prous despite taking some big hits from the 1s batsmen. They bowled maturely and gave the two openers a lot to think about. However it was Galleywood who won in emphatic fashion, knocking the winning runs in the 17th over with 10 wickets to spare.
The Sunday XI will lick their wounds and go again next week at home to Sudbury. Let's hope the rain stays away and GTCC come away with their first Sunday W of the season!
