It was a rare sunny evening at Llantwit Fardre and the cricket ground was in near perfect condition-just a little bit soft underfoot but a miracle considering all the rain we had over the last week.
The Centurions batted first and right from the start they looked like they meant business.With no long lulls between runs they kept the run rate ticking over nicely. Nevertheless, thanks to the consistency in line and length from our bowling and extremely athletic,sharp fielding (Barrington-Smythe excepted), the Centurions had difficulty in finding the boundary and only scored three in the entire innings. Their final score after eighteen overs was 104.
We all retired to the pavilion where Stagg Snr provided liquid refreshments- especially enjoyable as we didn’t have to do the score board ( Centurions operated their own score box which wouldn’t have looked out of place at Lords!). Dev and Jezza opened but despite a brave effort didn’t last very long when faced with the lightning pace of Messrs Langford and Shearer. Enter the nonchalant Mr Sullivan and new boy Matt Davis (the name’s Bond…..). With true grit they saw off the demon bowlers and started to knock the ball about.Things were looking up until ex Hurricane Bleddyn came on to bowl. Within seconds the pendulum swung back in the Centurion’s favour. Sully was bowled. Stagg Jnr strolled out and was uncharacteristically caught and bowled first ball. When captain Griffiths came to the crease, Bleddyn was on a hat-trick and the Centurions were pumped up smelling a stunning victory. Grif remained stoically calm and casually clipped the ball away for two runs. When Bond had seemed cautious in making a shot from a wideish delivery, Grif proferred his advice – ’Anything wide, have a go!’ The very next delivery was wide, Bond swung and was caught at slip.
Bow was in next and plainly meant business. He and Grif put on an awesome display and made a partnership score of forty before the captain had to retire ( thirty and retire rule).
With four overs to go and only fifteen runs needed to win things were looking as rosy as Stagg Senior’s cheeks. At this point ‘Im upstairs’ decided to put a final spanner in the works. Almost instantly the skies turned black and the heavens opened. Private Frazer was calling from his grave - ’Doomed, you’re all doomed!’ Bow, Stagg Senior, Billsy and J-Lo were in and out in quick succession with ten runs still needed.
As rapidly as the rain had arrived so it departed, setting the scene for the return of Captain Badger, ably assisted by stalwart Danny. It was set for a nail biting finish. Thankfully, Danny and Grif showed no hesitation in taking control of the game and after a few lusty blows we had won the match.
- J-lo
Top scorers-:
Griff- 35 not out
Sully- 20
Bow – 19
Top bowlers-:
Stagg Junior – 2 overs- 8 for 1
Bond – 2 overs – 9 for 1
Danny – 2 overs- 9 for 1
Bow – 3 overs – 10 for 1
