Well it had to come to this but finally the season finale arrived. The last chance to wear the whites, to hear the crisp knock of leather on willow, to marvel at the beauty of a cover drive and, more importantly, get a game in and the all important invite to the end of season dinner.
A glorious late summer’s day set the tone and Thomas got matters off to an excellent start by winning the toss and electing to get runs on the board before it got dark.
Williams and Ringer A again opened the batting and did their best to see off their quick bowler, Williams fingers doing most of that. Williams perished (as one often does) seeking to smash the other bowler through point but sending a catch to deep gully. Ringer B and Ringer A kept the score ticking along reasonably well but both were bowled and the score was a mere 49 after 10 overs (it was a 16 over match).
Halden and Bryan, on debut, sought to quicken things up and Wright (after Halden fell) sought to do the same but Bryan clearly keen to cement his future with the firm on only his second day set about plundering the bowling with gay abandon retiring on 28. Ringer C got a few quick ones and Burton played out the last over to preserve his average, for shame.
A score of 103 for 5 from 16 overs was not bad although perhaps a touch under par but without overs 13 and 14 going for 30 runs it would have been a whole lot worse.
Seeking to emulate Earl’s tactics (i.e. get some of the rubbish bowling out of the way) from the last match Ringer B opened the bowling with Burton. It didn’t work so well this week with Ringer B getting some fearful tap and conceding 20 runs in 2 overs. Burton however was doing his business brilliantly at the other end with a wicket in his first over and a double wicket maiden for his second.
Ringers A and C took over the bowling and kept up the barrage of parsimony. Ringer A taking a wicket in his first over and conceding very few runs and Ringer C bowling a maiden before claiming the wicket of clearly their best batsman.
Meanwhile behind the stumps Williams was doing his usual whipping off the bails and appealing and showing his disgust when the decisions went against him.
Thomas brought himself on to bowl with the score 33 for 4 after 8 overs. He got some fearful tap and slowly the score crept up towards the target, 45 from 10, 69 from 12, 84 from 14.
Fortunately the wickets were still tumbling with Ringer B holding a screamer of a catch at mid-off from the bowling of Thomas. Halden was given an over and, being charitable, helped to make a game of it and with 20 needed from the last 2 overs the surprising decision was made to give Ringer B another bowl but he repaid the faith shown in him and with Williams finally getting a decision go his way and with a second wicket coming in the over 13 were needed from the last over.
Burton was entrusted with the task. The first 3 balls went for 2 runs, much relief, the next ball should have gone for 1 but was badly misfielded (Simmons) and went for 4, hearts in mouths, the next ball was hit into the long grass and they ran for 3 but Ringer B and Williams combined to run their last man out. So with one ball remaining 4 was needed for the tie and out strode their one retired batsman. Burton bowled a jaffa fizzing past the edge, Williams took it cleanly and the game was won. Brilliant stuff.
Yet another victory and another fine game played in excellent spirit. Man of the match this week is straightforward: for his quickfire runs on debut Bryan.
The sad end of a long and very enjoyable season, certainly one of the best seasons in some time and thoroughly enjoyed by your correspondent. The next date for your diaries is the end of season dinner on 25th October.
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