MATCH REPORT – VCC v SCC Sunday 21st June 2015

Coleshill
Coleshill

VCC win by 106 runs in timed game scoring 180 for 8 off 34 overs (1 retired, 10 players)
SCC all out for 74 off 26 overs

Comrades! Do not let the scorecard and result belittle the true winner here. It was the VCC.

However, coming a very close second was the wondrous nature of the game itself. Then, back in a distant third, came the SCC. But we are the intrinsic compost that feeds the roots of  cricket and helps it rise up to the lustrous heart of every true player. We are rich, dark and heavily composted, one and all. Enough of this shit, let us consider the game.

I won the toss, unusually being captain, and elected to field. I know so little about the game and the weather seemed quite warm, so my decision was not based on cricketing principals, but firmly on the side of using what zest we had when most required. I suppose I mean field without the fear of cake. Actually, I don’t know what I mean. Please shoot me.

Gandalff - fit and ready
Gandalff – fit and ready

I set a moderate field and opened with Hodderoff and Soldya. Pacey length versus wristy, lofty spin. Their top-notch openers were Stockman and Hooper (aka Hooperoff!). But the former was only their long enough to raise a few breaths before Analitch made a most splendid wicket catch off Hodderoff. Stunning. 2 scored and Stocko ambled back, patting gloves with Yorke, on his way out.

Hooper, ever the calm and gentlemanly socio-capitalist, was in a good way and set about paddling a 52 until retirement. Hodderoff and Soldya bowled 7 and 6 over spells. Change over came and Dacha (aka Dan Woodhouse) and myself (Yuri) came to the crease. Results were required to avoid that drooping feeling, and the Dacha-Yuri pair got Yorke – Yuri bowl, Dacha with a smashing catch at square leg. Lovely work. We bowled on. Dacha, maiden over, Yuri with modest economy too. BANG, Dacha’s 7th over and the stumps yield their cargo, Betteridge for 8. It would seem mad to pull Dacha now, but with 7 of 8 overs bowled, I wanted to hold something back for Dacha. My last 2 overs were maidens, nice way to close and 32 off 8 for 2.

In comes The Impaler, Vlad, Boringski (Charlie Richards!). Even Vlad himself, does not know what powers his inner id, but whatever it is, id’s blooming effective. First over and dubious LBW call not given due to bouncing confusion, then Ewing caught off Vlad for 1.

Note to Stocko regarding LBW rules – A valid delivery can have no more than two bounces, but it can bounce twice and be a fair delivery, an LBW is still possible.

LAW 24
…7. Ball bouncing more than twice or rolling along the ground

The umpire shall call and signal No ball if a ball which he considers to have been delivered, without having previously touched bat or person of the striker,
either (i) bounces more than twice
or (ii) rolls along the ground
before it reaches the popping crease.

ref: http://www.lords.org/mcc/laws-of-cricket/laws/law-24-no-ball/

Treasurer seeking guidance
Treasurer seeking guidance

But Vlad perseveres, last ball of over snicked away and caught, fine leg by Robski – great work. Hodderoff and Soldya were supporting vigorously from the other end, but Vlad took more blood. His last over and The Mighty Cobra was run-out. Vlad had cast such a bewitching spell over the Bewitcher, that he missed the fact that the ball hadn’t gone. I had stopped it but with no sense of panic as all seemed. But Cobra was not running and a tepid throw and a great Analitch fetch and plinkety plonk, the bails went clonk! (WHAT?!?)

Dacha had an over in hand – nothing special, just four balls and two wickets for none! Caught Nice and Ewing for 29 and 11. What a splendid comrade. His results were 18 for 3 off 8 and a maiden to boot! One final fielding memory – I have created a new field, I realised when I looked up quite late on and realised that we were formed in two neat rows running either side of the wicket, perhaps ten yards out each side. I have decided to name it something nice and easy, Yuri’s Rail-road. Let’s work this!

A note from Yuri: A chunk of time has passed since I started this blog – I am now in my late forties and fear that a surfeit of substances in my youth has made my memory appalling. So the batting summary will be less than accurate, amusing and valuable! But here is a scant report, none the less.

Vlad and Analitch did some good dotting at the top, Oli was in and out but we must do doffing of caps to newblood, Dacha (Dan Woodhouse) who provided what was for us, a sizeable knock of 21. Smattered with two 6s and a 4. Thank you, comrade. Soldya and Hodderoff deserve a mention too at 10 and 13. Good dotting from Robski, but all in all, not a great evening with the bat.

It was a great game though and the spirit of the game was well and truly consumed. Many thanks to Coleshill Cricket Club and the oppo, our beloved VCC. Also to Kevin and Malki who sailed in to our aid like valiant knights of yore, each wielding their bats as dragon slaying lances.

Comrarades, Do Svidaniya!

VCCvSCC_21June2015_SCCinnings
VCCvSCC_21June2015_SCCinnings
VCCvSCC_21June2015_VCCinnings
VCCvSCC_21June2015_VCCinnings