Our more astute readers will note that what should clearly be the report of the annual tour is not entitled “Tour” this is due to a number of factors including a) the opposition for Saturday forgetting about the game and having to cancel and b) despite the tour being in the diaries since January an abject performance from the squad from whom only 4 players made themselves available (fortunately two ringers stepped in).
With the entire team and all their kit in the fun bus (and with some room to spare) the drive to Wales kicked off in bright sunshine and high spirits (assisted by a number of beers) and despite Earl’s best efforts Monkswood was located without undue difficulty.
In light of the numerical challenges faced by the team it was agreed they would bat first and, if necessary, could bat twice.
Williams and Ringer A (on debut) opened and with Williams playing the anchor role dabbing the ball around Ringer A had free license and scored freely. Despite the heckling from the sidelines the score ticked along nicely and Ringer A chose to retire once he had hit 50 with the score on 64 at the end of the tenth over. Webb then joined Williams and started to get after the bowling and a very big score looked on the cards.
Unfortunately Ringer B had one of his “moments” umpiring and triggered Williams in the 14th over with the score on 94 (and Williams on 13) bringing Earl in to join Webb. Normally such a combination would promise fireworks but Earl played all round a straight one and was bowled. Thomas opted for the Williams role and Webb continued to cart it before running himself out penultimate ball. Ringer B had just one ball to face and with Williams umpiring at square leg a stumping looked on the cards and much to Williams’ amusement it was duly delivered.
A total of 130 for 4 seemed potentially defensible particularly as the light deteriorated and, more importantly, Monkswood were willing to lend them 5 sub fielders and Ringer A and Thomas opened the bowling and with Ringer A taking 4 wickets they were in some bother at 27 for 4 off 7 overs.
The skipper (Earl) then made the fateful decision to make a game of it and threw the ball to Williams for a little bowl. Whilst Webb took another wicket at the other end Williams got the treatment. With high hopes that Earl had recovered his composure after his failure with the bat and the score only 70 for 5 after 13 there was no small amount of optimism in the camp.
Unfortunately Earl bowled like a drain and was carted to all parts of the ground but with them needing 35 more to win off the last 4 overs it looked that victory could still be had particularly as Webb had two overs remaining; however, much to everyone’s surprise, rather than bowl him the ball was thrown to two of the sub fielders (both of them having proved they could not bowl in the first innings).
Still with one wicket out caught and another run out 13 was needed off the last over with 3 wickets in hand and Earl took the heavy burden of bowling it himself.
13 runs duly came in 3 balls and it was all over.
Notwithstanding the loss a fine game played against an opposition who play the game very much in the right spirit. If only some more players had bothered to turn up it would have been even more enjoyable.
Man of the Match this week has to be Webb for his 33 quickfire runs.
The aftermath
Clearly it being tour the team could not just slink back across the bridge to Bristol and proceeded to drink the bar dry before moving into the centre of the thriving metropolis that is Usk. Your correspondent is not certain that choosing to have a round of double house whiskys on the basis that “gosh look lads house doubles are only £2” is the greatest decision ever made and we can report that it was not the smoothest of drinks bearing a passing resemblance to lighter fluid.
If one was honest matters got a little hazy after that although a curry was involved (which Williams fell asleep in) before Thomas did the decent thing and drove them all home (with thanks to him).
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