Grumpy Graeme nearly totters Tottenhoe

Well we were somewhat up against it last night, as the time allotted arrived, we were only 5 men and no sign of other team member after some frantic ringing around.

Tottenhoe were raring to go, but due to late start we were reduced to 10 overs each, a decision in the end which I think probably helps us rather than Tottenhoe. At least I won the toss and for once we bowled first and got off to a good start with Dave and I opening the bowling, both of us finding a length and line. In my first and second over there were two smart pieces of fielding leading to two run outs, one a back heal from Murph that dribbled on to the stumps but just hard enough to knock of the bails, who would have guessed he used to be a footballer. The remainder of the Tottenhoe batsman hung around rather like limpits, not showing too much attacking intent. Neil twirled away and got some considerable turn at times, but with only 5 men, the batsmen kept finding the wall that was unguarded. I full team from us would have kept the runs down considerably. Murph took that last two overs and sadly gave a an 8 in the last over leaving them on 112 (off 10 overs), a score I think we all felt was well within us.

Dave and Graeme opened facing a close in field with no one on the back wall, however their repeated attempts to hit the back wall were thwarted with some excellent fielding, often resulting in dot balls. So after 6 overs we were behind the run rate just, instead of comfortably ahead and a growing frustration from Mr Angry himself. The verbal abuse started as a dribble, but then started to extend not just to the opposition, but also to his own side (poor old Dave taking the first salvo). Fortunately, he finally reached 25 and retired and out came Neil with a need to move the score along, as we were still behind the required rate. Neil swung manfully but made little impression before getting out and in a I came with a sum total of 3 runs from two innings so far. I really looked to force the running between the wickets and put the Tottenhoe fielders under pressure, which started to work, but then nearing 25, Dave was brilliantly run out from a smart underarm throw with just one stump to aim at. This left Tim and I to face the last two overs. I then solidly middled two drives one for 4 and the other for 6, Tim also scampered a couple of quick singles, leaving us just 9 off the last over. I went for another quick single which normally would have been comfortable, but a tremendous throw to the bowlers end was a direct hit and I was a gonner. Graeme returned and Tim scampered a couple of 3s, Graeme another 3, but with last ball remaining the scores were tied, but as we had lost more wickets, we had to score at least 1, which with Tim an Graeme gratefully scrambled which finally brought a smile to his face, but the opposition were later to be heard chuntering about the gob-shite behind the stumps.

This was not a bad win considering we only had 5 players and the opposition bowling was some of the best we had faced.