The 21st
Goodwill season began with a trip to face new opposition in
Whitwell CC. As of Friday lunchtime we didn’t have a match, but
the fixture Gods were smiling upon us with Whitwell’s opposition
pulling out late in the day, and as it transpired, a very
chancey phone call by their fixture secretary to the CCC meaning
we were fixed up. The Westwoods were also chuffed as it was
pretty close to them!
The
journey up the A1(M) was pretty uneventful except they are doing
mroe bloody roadworks just past the Hatfield tunnel and we
arrived a nice little ground tucked away that doubled as
Whitwell AFC. The good sized changing rooms were a pleasant
surprise to us. New captain Ranjan Sen proved he was a useless
tosser calling incorrectly and as such, the boys duly had first
use of what was to prove a slowish, inconsistent wicket, though
given the recent weeks of heavy rainfall it was no surprise.
Willow and
Trigger went out to open up. Marcus kicked off the season in
fine style with a half-century including a few big sixes, but
wickets tumbled steadily at the other end, including a couple of
run-outs (Willow owes Ronnyboy a beer!). A second wicket
partnership of 50 between Willow and the Stuntman (who
contributed 4!) was very
useful. The
batting of numbers 7, 8 and 9, namely Ollie, Gareth and unlucky
Pri gave us some useful lower order runs and little bit of
momentum. Mowgli was last man out (with a rubbish shot to cover)
leaving Elfie unbeaten on 29 and the Wanderers innings closed on
143.
Tea was
decent, and we had the bonus of seeing “Final Score” and the end
of the footie season. Which was interesting given the scores
that Darren had been updating us with (How did Cisse not end up
on the winning side having scored seven?)
And so to
the field. Correa and Sayers opened up the innings and were
pretty tight, keeping the run rate in check, but without being
able to obtain that early breakthrough. In the end it was Leo
who brought one back and won an LBW decision to get the ball
rolling. However, it was Elfie who brought things right back
into the Goodwill’s favour with an inspired spell from the near
end of beautiful swing bowling. His figures were magnificent
when he was pulled off to save some overs for later. One of his
wickets though gives great credit to Hugh-Z who managed to stump
one of the Whitwell openers off a Patel wide! (Apparently it was
all part of the plan……)
Then the
game swung back in Whitwell’s favour with a half-century from
Tanner. Captain Bell came in at number 6 and looked a fine
player. It took an unbelievable bit of magic to get rid of him
for 1. Remember back in the 90’s a young, blonde leg-spinner
called Warne introduced himself on these shores with a delivery
that was called the ‘Ball of the Century?’ Well Das (ist guut)
bowled his first ball on Sunday, his first of the season (so not
his first on these shores, nor is he blonde), and it was a slow
loopy leggie. It was drifting down leg, so much so that the
umpire was about to turn to signal it wide, when it pitched,
drifted and spun back to dislodge the bails! It was an
unbelievable delivery and cued those now familiar
celebrations…….. with the mute button on, of course!
After that
ball, Das couldn’t find his range and got tonked!
So the
game swung again, but with Tanner knocking off the runs it was
in the balance. The key came when Ollie had Tanner superbly
caught by the outstanding Del (minus far too large floppy hat)
and next ball, the other batsman who was in hit Mr Sayers out to
deep square where Elfie was having the game of his life (no
Shilpa he really did) and held on to make it two-in-two and
bring two new batsman in to the crease.
With Das
unable to locate his range, the leg-spinning baton was handed to
the Ginger Ninja who duly proceeded to weave some Westwood
magic, pick up two wickets and when Mr Gould edged one back onto
his stumps the game was over and the Goodwill were off to a
super start with a victory by 21 runs.
All in all
a good start. Runs for some, partnerships built, wickets and
catches taken and some good banter. Plenty to improve on of
course, but a positive beginning. As is always the case, it’s
never easy when picking up games through the CCC to match
strength. As we’ve seen in the past sometimes, innocently, one
team is too strong. As we’ve also seen in the past, sometimes,
deliberately, one team is too strong. Whitwell proved to be
similar strength to ourselves which lead to a good game, a close
fixture, and a good drink afterwards. Certainly all of the lads
seemed to enjoy it and hopefully we’ll get invited back again
next season.
Although
Paddington was not happy about the cold showers and, arguably
more importantly, they were not fully communal. Though he didn’t
bring a towel. Old habits die hard.
Another
A1(M) trip next week against Bengeo, followed by…..another A1(M)
trip as we face Codicote. Westy may have to move back to
Stevenage at this rate.
Game
Summary in 2 words: Positive start
My MOTM: A
few candidates which is good, but I’m going to select Elfie for
his all-round contribution.
