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Inflation Not Deflation Old Boys Vs TA

Jul. 12, 2012

INFLATION NOT DEFLATION

Wednesday 27th June saw The Old Boys host Bradford T and A at Colton CC.

Fielding a few changes in the line up Old Boys batted first on a balmy

evening.

Pete Coello and Bolthead opened the batting. Coello scored steadily whilst

Bolthead succumbed to an impressive one handed retreating catch for 1.

The manner of dismissal should have served as a warning to Bolthead that

this might not turn out to be his most impressive appearance for the club.

The fall of the wicket brought to Ste Normington to the crease. Whilst not

technically the best he is blessed with natural timing. However it was but a

fleeting visit to the crease this evening as he perished for 5.

Next in was Steve Atkinson who walked to the crease to the obvious

excitement of Pete Coello who may have anticipated being involved in a

significant partnership without having to contribute much himself.

Atkinson neatly tucked away his first ball for 4 off the last ball of the over.

Sadly for Coello his stay at the wicket ended abruptly as he gave an easy

return catch to the new bowler having contributed 16 to the cause.

Then came a lull in the action as Danny Stone had to hastily climb out of his

chefs outfit and don his batting garb.

Stone eventually arrived at the crease somewhat late. He tucked an early

delivery away for 4 and looked in decent touch.

Steve Atkinson and Stone increased the scoring rate over the next couple of

overs with both looking to be required to retire.

However shouts of whats that smell and the corned beef hash is sticking

seemed to disturb Stones concentration who departed shortly afterwards for

22.

Atkinson continued to take the attack to the bowling and whilst not timing the

ball particularly well the fore-shortened boundaries enabled him to find them

on the full.

Atkinson retired on 44 and was replaced by Belly who took up partnership

with Nobby who replaced Stone.

Both took to the bowling with relish with the boundary boards being peppered

regularly.

Both hit the retirement mark in the same over with Nobby striking a 6 to take

him the 31 and Belly retired on 25.

At this stage the innings total was an impressive 112 with eight overs

remaining.

200 was being whispered amongst the Old Boys faithful.

Jimmy and Malthouse strove gainfully to maintain the scoring rate but both

were defeated by the bowling early in their innings.

Mini Bean on debut contributed 6 before falling to another fine one handed

catch.

Atkinson returned to the crease with Kinghorn at the other end.

Atkinson needed 6 to become the first scorer of a 50 for the club which would

have been apt for the 50 year old cricket veteran.

Anyway he fouled it up big time and managed a tame leg bye off the last ball

of the innings playing defensively attempting to get bat on ball to secure his

50.

Old Boys finished with an impressive 175.

In the T and A innings I think it is fair to say the Old Boys encountered

probably the best batter they had come up against since the formation of the

club.

However he was only one man and all that was required was to remove the

other 10 batters and the game would be won.

One incident early in the innings seemed to galvanize the Old Boys. A mix up

between Peter Coello and Harders in the field presented a gifted 4 to the T

and A.

Following this the Old Boys turned in a most impressive fielding performance,

the fear of ridicule proving a willing mistress.

T and A got off to a steady start losing a couple of early wickets and the batter

referred to earlier whilst very correct was not setting the tins on fire.

Until that is Bolthead was thrown the ball and dispatched over the ropes off

the first three balls of the over. 6 in a row was on the cards but Bolthead kept

his composure and denied further maximums in the over.

The end of the over saw the retirement of the dangerman but he would return.

Harders picked up a couple of wickets as did Malthouse. Coello also struck

indebted to Harders holding a fine boundary catch.

With 8 overs to go T and A were 112.

Wickets fell and mutterings were that the only way T and A could triumph

would be the early return of their retiree.

And Back he came offering a sharp chance to Mini Bean.

Run out…………………………..no Coello sticks a size 4 out and deflects the

ball away from middle stump for what would have been game set and match.

(Wimbledon week)

The agony grew for the old boys as their opponents homed in on the victory

target. Stirling efforts in the field turned out to be no match for the impressive

6 hitting of their star man.

And it came to 6 off the final ball to win. The writing was on the wall and some

things are just meant to be. The ball sailed over point and 6 was the signal.

Handshakes all round and a keenly contested and hard fought game was

over.

The Old Boys were not disgraced and were not deflated. They were

overpowered by one man and nobody could dispute this.

And so to the clubhouse. The corned beef hash courtesy of Stoney was not

burnt but was delicious, a fitting end to the evening with a pint of ale.