Cometh the hour….
Wheathampstead's finest took to the field for the last game of the league season on a bright and breezy Sunday morning. Four defeats on the trot had placed the team in a perilous position, with the spectre of defeat potentially condemning them to bottom place in the mini-league and to be followed by the inevitable calls from the redtops for replacement of the management team. Victory, on the other hand, could lift the team to third place, qualification for the yet to be invented Under 9's Europa League and Knighthoods all round in the birthday honours (well, maybe). Cheered on by an appreciative crowd of Wheathampstead's glamorous MAGS (Mothers and Grandmothers) James led the team out having won the toss and opted to field. The tension was too much for Jeff and Eamonn, who opted to follow the match, I am reliably informed, with their transistor radios pressed to their ears for ball by ball updates.
Callum and Angus opened with a tight spell of precision bowling restricting the opening pair to 20 runs. Harry S and Max took over where Callum and Angus left off with the Hitchin batsmen struggling to make an impact. Great fielding from Devon and Callum on the on side kept boundaries to a minimum, whilst Harry S spectacularly threw himself full length for a wondrous stop deep in the covers. However, Hitchin batted resolutely picking up sensible singles and protecting their wickets. Just when I was thinking that lack off wickets would be our undoing Max clean bowled two batsmen with his last two balls. He will be reminded that the next ball he bowls will be his hat-trick ball, if he gets a wicket Carolyne has promised ice-creams all round…….Wheatos ongoing dominance was reinforced by a sharp caught and bowled by James and a snappy catch at point by Max off Arthur's away swingers. Things got even better with Devon scoring a direct hit for a run out at the bowlers end. But play of the day was again from Harry S, this time as wicket keeper, leaping high in the air to get his fingertips to a fast top edge off James's fiery spell. He looked to have the ball under control but just spilled it as he landed in a heap of dust. Great effort - if you'd held it for a nanosecond longer I would have given it!
So at the turn around Hitchin had knocked a creditable but gettable 257 for 6. The opening pair of Max and Angus went to the crease with my words of carefully crafted tactical advice ringing in their ears. "Just whack it!". Fortunately they ignored me and played themselves in steadily, picking off the bad balls and protecting their wickets. An opening partnership of 31 had put Wheato firmly in control and James and Harry S strode to the stumps looking to cement our position. Hitchin needed inspiration, and were nearly provided it in the form of a vast swarm of vuvuzela trumpeting bees which dive bombed the square and had all running for cover. James and Harry returned to action undaunted and unstung by the enforced five minute break and picked up where they left off with a couple of thumping fours. James in particular got the "Buzz" with an excellent unbeaten top score of 24. Next in were Arthur and Callum who kept the runs ticking over, again - defending the bad balls, running between the wickets better than at any other time this season, and picking up some useful overthrows in the process. The final pairing of Jack and Devon had the luxury of a handsome lead already in the bag by the time they arrived at the crease, and each went through their portfolio of shots with aplomb. The innings ended with a magnificent score of 327 for the loss of just one wicket.
So - our best performance of the season and a thumping victory to boot. There are simply too many positives to mention - but let me try and highlight a few,
Batting strength in depth - every partnership put on over 25 runs, not a weak link in sight. 327 is the highest score in the mini-league by any club this season.
Running between the wickets - By Jove I think they've got it!! No kamikaze Usain Boltesque dashes, no dithering in no-mans land whilst the shells rained down. Straight talking, fast running.
Fielding - Better diving than the Italian football team and stopping to make Robert Green green.
Team attitude - More spirit than a Edwardian séance, and played with respect for all throughout.
For anyone as sad as me the league results and tables are here - http://www.hertscricket.org/sectionList.aspx?mTag=juniorCricket&sTag=8ASideGroup1
Training as usual on Sunday 9.30 am. If we have enough takers we might have an interclub match. I am also fixing a few friendlies for later in the season. Watch this space.
Finally Finally - Many thanks to senior players Dave Tree and Dave Dabare for giving up their Sunday to come down and offer support and coaching, and thanks to Steve Smith and Ian Goodchild for some impeccable scoring throughout the season
Rgds
Simon