The first game for the Sunday’s was against Great Waltham. After the 1s had played them the day before and was told the majority of the 1s were going to play we knew we were in for a tough game with me taking the 3s for a day out.
At the toss, the opposition skipper asked about the talent within the squad and I looked across to the boundary to see a waving Jack Ridge glaring at me, this moment alone made me mention the 3s day out which the opposition skipper laughed at as he tossed the coin in the air. Heads called, and shock I won (watch and learn Nob). Now from looking at my side, you would think bowl first because every player within my side could bowl, apart from Tickle. However, it’s a Sunday so clearly there is only one thing we can do.
Now earlier in the week I was verbally attacked by Jack Ridge in the selection chat and after seeing that the opening bowler from there 1s side in div 1 was playing I felt it was only fitting that I let him open so I can watch his middle stump go cart-wheeling in the first over. The reverend took the other spot with his role being changed by his uni to an opening bat. I wanted to see if this was a myth or not.
The reverend nicked off early doors for 2 and this brought Kevin to the crease. Kevin looked really good for his 20 odd with some lovely cover drives being played, he gloved one to the keeper down the leg-side and made Stroker make a decision. Our 4th man is Banny, he decided to be the Sunday bully today, going to town from the off against this 13 y/o kid, probably won’t play a Sunday again because of him. I haven’t mentioned the bunnest player for a while now (Jack Ridge) but to be honest there’s not much to say he was at the other end chewing up deliveries. Scoring at an under 50 strike rate on a Sunday, honking form. Owen saved the day when he triggers Jack when he’s on 37 from around 100 balls, thanks Big O. Jack will tell you he “did his job” but I wouldn’t listen to him.
This brought DQ to join Banny to the crease. 93-3 the score. With around 20 overs to go. Two really aggressive batsmen who I thought would hopefully be destructive in the middle overs. This was the case with both batsmen scoring quickly. Banny departed shortly after for a solid 26 runs. This brought in me the skipper who instantly was going to be fined for hiding down the batting order. DQ skies one shortly after for a decent 21. Stroker comes to the crease. The Liam Plunkett of the side, hitting some big bombs, while I just rotated the strike well. With 10 overs to go, we had wickets in hand, we were aiming for around 200. Stroker and I ran well putting pressure on the fielders. Both of us made our 50s. And going into the final over potentially 250+ on the cards. With 4 balls left stroker plays a drive and the bowl tipped it onto the stumps running me out for 57. This brought Sam Hawes to be ‘the runner’ at the other end the final 4 balls. We finish on 254-6 from our 40 overs. Stroker not out on 62. Very good score.
Opening the bowling was DQ and Kevin himself. Kevs first ball was a seed taking the outside edge of the opener and falling into the hands of Banny in 2nd slip. DQ was unlucky with this opener hacking everything across the line to him. He was looking dangerous. Kev dropped down to 3rd man to catch any top edges. The bat tried another big shot, but one too many as it took the top edge and Kev made the ground up to take a great catch. Just quietly, great bit of captaincy moving Kev down there. DQ bowled well for his spell after this but for the next 10 overs there’s not much to the really talk about, some absolute bun deliveries from Stroker and Big-O gave Waltham a real chance going into the middle overs.
The game-changing moment was bringing on Hetty. She gave the Div 1 batsman nightmares, unplayable grenades. Fitzwater walked down the wicket and missed a straight one to get Hetty her first Sunday wicket. This meant the full allocation was incoming. Great debut for the Sundays from Hetty. At the other end, I felt bad for Big O as I batted him 9 spots below Jack Ridge and promised him a full allocation so I brought him back on to redeem himself. He picked up 3 wickets in the end giving him an 8 wicket weekend! After some lower-order resistance Banny and DQ cleaned up the tail and it was a big W for the Totham train.
Overall great start to the season and a massive day out for the 3s who picked up there first win in a long time. Jugs were bought at the bull and a rogue Balti on a Sunday followed to end a top day at the office. Next week we are in the Village cup so no Sunday game for the boys. We will be back the week after.
Joe D
