Derwent Globetrotters 03/09/22

After an RTA involving the Derwent Globetrotters delayed the start, the Wanderers were asked to bat first at Plush in a 35 overs match.  Steady progress was being made by Conrad and Simon before Conrad (6) fired in the air to short cover where Fred took a smart catch (21-1, 5).  Simon (27) was in free-scoring mode and hit a wonderful sweep for four off the leg-spinner.  It was unfortunate that he then chose to take on one of the best fielders’ throw against Tommy’s advice and was convincingly run out (44-2, 9).  Skipper joined Tommy but not for long as Tommy played a wild drive to a straight delivery that was too short for driving (51-3, 11).  David (0) was unfortunate to get a leading edge when the ball stopped off the surface and was brilliantly caught one-handed by a diving short-cover (55-4, 13).  Skipper (12) looked well-set when he tried to turn the spinner to leg, only for the ball to bounce up off his pad and agonisingly trickle onto leg-stump with just enough force to take the bail off (60-5, 16). Freddy (on debut) played solidly and was not afraid to attack by going over the infield.  Ben (14) stepped across the line when attempting to flick to leg and was LBW (83-6, 23).  Mike H (0) played down the wrong line to a straight ball to leave the Wanderers 91-7 from 26 overs.  It was at this low-point of the innings that the pendulum swung back towards the Wanderers, with Stu and Freddy standing solid, taking the attack to the opposition.  Freddy was eventually caught for 55 having enjoyed a 76 run eighth wicket partnership.  With Leo (12no) adding some late runs in the last over, impressively forcing Stu (36no) to run doubles and then an outrageous ramp shot on the last ball, the innings finished on 187-8.

Tea was provided by Skipper’s parents but with Plush not providing the facility to boil water, no cups of tea could be had.  Simon had a social occasion to go to and was replaced in the field by Big Dog.

Ben opened the bowling and took the middle stump with the first ball of the innings with a great bit of in-swing.  Leo was straight into a great rhythm, causing difficulty from the first ball.  David replaced Ben after the new batsman took a liking to him.  A poor first delivery, outside off stump half way down the track, was dragged onto the stumps, and a crucial wicket claimed.  Leo had his wicket when the delivery jumped up and the ball spooned high to David at backward-point who took an assured catch.  Freddy came on to replace David after he was hit for 2 enormous sixes and Stu replaced Leo (1-15 from 5).  Stu was as accurate as we would expect and should have got the breakthrough when the ball was skied high and Tommy got into position to catch it, only for it to drift behind him and the ball dropped.  Stu got his reward when a ball maintained its line, clipping the outside edge and giving Skipper a comfortable catch, ending a 56 run fourth wicket partnership.  This was crucial as some slack fielding and big hitting was taking its toll on the Wanderers.  Big Dog and Skipper worked out the leading batsman, bringing Conrad into a wide slip position, only for him to take a class one-handed catch 3 balls later off Stu (107-5).  By this stage Tommy had come on for Freddy and was bowling the best spell of his life.  The deliveries were accurate, spinning and likely to take wickets – amazing what you can do when you pitch the ball!  Another such delivery pitched just outside off-stump, turned in and caught the batsman on the back foot LBW.  Fred came in to bat against his brother and survived an LBW call that the Wanderers were certain that would have been given by Charles!  A big turning point in the Wanderers’ favour was an attempted run against the arm of Conrad who threw accurately to Skipper who took delight in destroying the stumps.  Tommy bowled Mike M (1) who was playing for the Trotters.  Fred hit Tommy for six, only for Tommy to gain the bragging right by bowling him when he appeared to be concentrating on keeping the strike, rather than playing the ball on merit.  With the Wanderers sensing victory, Big Dog took the catch at slip off David (2-28) to seal the win by 32 runs.

MOM: Freddy – 55 on debut held the innings together when it appeared to be dying

Catch of the day: Conrad diving one-handed at slip was a real highlight worth the admission money.

Quote of the day: Tommy after making a mess of the attempted catch: “The ball just went through my fingers!” – We know Tommy, we watched!