Match Reports
Veterans - Scarborough v Bayswater-Morley
The Gulls put together a finely tuned group of athletes for the 'season opener' at Hillcrest Oval.
In the absence of Captain Tommo, the team's 'spiritual leader' (JD) faced an early challenge in having to juggle our bowling and fielding stocks whilst awaiting opening bowler David (Griz) Clear. Col Bettles moved quickly into stride with the new ball whilst Phil May worked up some heat coming down breeze.
A wicket each saw the home side at 2/14 before the Bears batsmen began to dictate to all bowlers except wily Deano with 1/16 off 5 mystical overs. The Bears continued to find the gap in the field where Cleary should?ve been, whilst Gulls bowlers tried to keep a shine on the ball for Cleary's arrival.
Two run outs to Bettles off (Rupert) Murdoch's bowling and the reintroduction of May and Bettles saw the home side dismissed in just 38 overs (still time for Griz to bowl), unfortunately with 196 on the board!
Cleary's afternoon tea was awarded to Jethro who had manfully spent the last 38 overs fielding for two men.
JD and Bettles got the Gulls innings away to a good start with 74 off the first 14 overs against Brookes and wayward Mullooly before Bettles was bowled by a rare ball on the stumps from Mullooly.
JD followed not long after and then Watto, Jethro, Crispy, Rupert and Froggy tried to exert themselves on the opposition whilst news that Cleary had been sighted at a bus stop Maylands. Deano strode to the wicket with his restored 1962 Crown bat to join Justin (Shakeshaft that is, Langer isn't playing 'til after Christmas) at 7/128.
Twelve runs later Justin departed and now Phil May joined Deano with just 57 needed off 11 overs and Cleary on his way! What a climax sports fans, as the new Masters Tail End Charlies (or Nick and Nurdle as they later dubbed themselves) pushed towards victory, running only singles when there was a three, or hitting boundaries!
Unfortunately we were 17 runs, and Cleary, short.
Bowling: Bettles 3/31, May 3/28, Deano 1/16, Clear DNB. Batting: Bettles 33, JD 30, May 24, Shakeshaft 19, Deano 17 not out, Watson 15, Clear DNB.
Next game against the boys from Bombo Valley, Sunday 23rd November.
