SCC win with 5 balls remaining
105 runs over BOL’s 104
Olympics 2012… Even if I am not allowed to even think those words outside of copyright, I have! It was the night of the opening ceremony and a night of cricket. The SCC versus Breath Of Life, kind of at home at Regent’s Park, the Hub for a 20-20. The weather was bruising but on the whole it held out. Okay, there was some rain, but not much, comrades!
Yuri [aka Philip Richardson] had his first outing beyond just being the Premier to being Captain too. Frightening and involving a lot of paper gazing and scribbling in the field. He and Sam took the toss and Yuri won, electing to field first. The ground was firm but yielding a little and the light dark and fading – so a brilliant decision, Yuri – 2/10. However, field depth placement was about right throughout the evening even if my positions were poor!
BOL’s Rob and Alex opened the batting and were faced by Chipmonski the bold and imperious [aka Tim Richardson] and Deanov [VCC guest]. The unusual wicket – pacey but not bouncy – was utilised by Chipmonkski with a lovely swerving ball to take BOL’s Rob for 6. He was replaced by BOL’s Oli who also fell to Chipmonkski for 6 – a pattern and happy one too for the field echoed with our signature chirrup “Nib Nib, Nib Nib”
Meanwhile Alex of BOL was putting up a good stand and kept on finding holes in my field. So much so it rather clouded my sense of fair play and I some what densely surrounded new-girl Mary who was fresh to cricket from BOL. Apologies to her, but let’s have a look at the card; although her wicket was expertly taken by a swinging ball from Andropov Sewelski [aka Andrew Sewel] she did face off a dozen balls and I think with some style! Well done, Mary!
Finn was knobbled for 16 by Deanov’s arm then Sam Kan Kan Captain of BOL and VCC all round fame was next in and he and Alex were together until the latter fell to Chris Curtis – SCC visitor and comrade to be! Sam retired not out after 25 and the latter to batspeople of James and Nicole made 5 and 9 respectively for the last of the 20 overs. This left with the SCC with a target of 104.
The air was squealing with distant shouts… For the Olympic 2012 opening ceremony not us. The sky was darker than dawn and the rain was spitting. So perfect for our innings. Yayyy. Comrades play better in adversity… Good decision, Yuri. Not.
Hatter [aka Dan March… Shall I just write a glossary?] [aka Soldya, yes. I shall write a glossary] opened the batting with Deanov. There was still enough light to make out the glimmer of the approaching bowler and we were off. BOL’s James opened and was followed at the other end by Captain, Sam. Hatter made a Stirling score of 5 before yielding to James but Deanov was away with some solid opening rounds.
James’s next conquest was Andropov. But not for a duck, a rigorous single. Bennettov steps up. He has all of the demeanour of a fine collective adjutant and as such, settled in for a bloody good knock. Despite spells Nicole and Rob, Bennettov got his 25 and was retired to Nib Nib Chipmonkski in. A fine 4 before tempted into LBW off The Cobra, SCC’s Cobramovich.
SCC guest Christ Curtis made a valiant and useful 8 before bowled by James… Familiar pattern. By which time your premier Yuri had scrambled to the crease, this time with his box in the Umpires pocket. Nads too big.
Comrade Jontin joined me at the wicket and we were popping along until I was run out. hat was needed was runs and not my superb test match dotting of the ball. I strolled to the rope with a contented 3.
Now we were down to the last few balls off the last over and a half. Comrade returning Guyev Wilsontin joined Jontin and between them, brilliantly smacked balls about the park from Sam, James and Ollie.
On the first ball of the last over the ball was put into the boundary and Jontin came in with 14 and Guy with 7.
This is the SCC’s first ever victory. It may not have been a two day trial, a one day, slog or a forty over timed match. But it was a 20-20 and it was a victory. Comrades, our motto is now confirmed, Semper Sodales, fors et Victores; Always comrades, maybe occasionally victors!
Thank you, comrades one and all. For details and images of the evil Peppa Pig of losers, please watch this space!
Yuri
All photographs courtesy of Jontin Savittski copyright 2012