Specials finish season with draw against Pymmes in high scoring final match

The Specials just fell short of chasing an unlikely 203 target set by Pymmes in a very high scoring match which brought the curtain down on a successful season.

With the match starting at 1.45 because of the kid's football and the night-time drawing in, having won the toss for one of the few times this season, I inserted Pymmes. Deciding to back us in a run chase.

The Specials maintained their usual healthy over rate at around 18 per hour (Black Rose please note) and kept Trinidadian Frank and old stager Norman Hendrick under control due to some very tight bowling from Cattell and Pilgrim.

Particularly interesting was the advice Frank offered each over to Norman on how to play our opening attack, as it was Norman who was doing the majority of the scoring. After a couple of half chances Herlihy finally snuffled Frank at slip off the bowling of Cattell to get the break through.

Nevertheless despite losing a couple of wickets again to Cattell, Pymmes finally put their foot on the accelerator and in one 10 minute spell took almost 40 runs off 3 overs from Tony and Ringo, The latter being particularly brutally dealt with by Kansara , who made a very good 60 backed up by the reliable Simon Chambers who hit 39 not out.

Although we toiled a little bit and missed a couple of good chances through Sean Cullen and Andy Vernon there were 2 excellent run outs provided by Jani and 'Bagmaster' Cotzen, whilst Dom took a good catch close in . Nevertheless we bowled 42 overs at Pymmes who declared at 202-6 at 4.15.

With 20 overs beginning at 5.30 pm it would mean that we would be chasing almost 6 an over when we resumed our innings . Debutant Cullen (borrowed from the Lionels) bowled a good attacking spell. Pat our tea lady was presented with M&S vouchers. as appreciation of another magnificent season of high quality teas.

Steve Golding produced a major surprise as captain for the last game of the season by demoting the returning Vernon to number 3 who showed hesitation and found himself further down in the lower middle order. Medlock and Herlihy after their success last week took up the cause and were going very nicely at 5 per over until Tony unluckily played on to Sudhir. Herlihy in the mean time was building his innings with some typical nudges and slashes through backward point and a couple between wicket keeper and first slip which were hitting boundary on a very fast outfield.

Jani stuck around for a while and they put on 30 for the second wicket until his lack of foot movement gave Steve Chambers a wicket. To their credit Pymmes opened the game up by bowling both their slower bowlers and Herlihy and McGowan started to up the scoring rate to the required 9 per over. They put on over 70 in very quick time before McGowan was bowled by the returning Kansara.

Herlihy continued to move on passing a very well deserved 50 but with the scoring rate at more than 12 per over and the light fading, as well as the loss of Golding, run out, our chances of winning diminished. Sean Cullen continued to support Herlihy but boundaries became more elusive as the Pymmes bowling improved and their field pushed back on to the boundary. We fell 20 runs short, Herlihy not out for 82. The game therefore ended in a draw and both teams to reflect on successful seasons.

The Specials were pleased to note the presence in the crowd of leading wicket taker Richard Bathard. He was pleased to note the continued progress of the team.

Unhappily club manager Rowan wasn't on top form and seemed more keen to speak to potential wedding parties rather than serve the cricketers who provide weekly income through beer sales. No doubt he'll reflect on his customer relationship strategy and management style during the winter months.

There were some comic moments in the last game of the season. Simon Chambers tripping himself up before bowling to Herlihy, some comical fielding from the returning Vernon and Ringo complaining of a bad back during the game as he watched his 2 overs disappear to various parts of the leg side boundary.

Threats of an early retirement from Ringo on the grounds of DIY commitment and the need to spend more time with his family have not been taken too seriously by his team mates. We were wondering whether he had consulted Dee, his wife, on this matter as surely an afternoon with his teammates in Southover is better than four hours drinking Cobra with his buddies in various drinking establishments in N3/N12. We look forward to seeing the Alan Biley styled mullet for many seasons to come.

The evening ended with some structured drinking in Winters (our sponsors) and an amusing comment from former player John Royle (he who went missing in Ireland for a week (reports passim) when Monty sank the winning putt in the Ryder Cup. Referring to his marital difficulties, 'She'll be back Monty!' he shouted. Careful John remember to keep your own house in order. Unfortunately he overegged the pudding and repeated the same comment later.

Nevertheless a good end to the season .

The captain's log for the 2004 season will be posted shortly.

 

© Mike Herlihy 2004