Rascal's v's Moose

Decision taken to shorten overs due to threat of rain (not a happy skipper), Moose win toss and reach 111 for their 20 overs. Rascals romp home to a stunning victory with overs to spare. Full report to follow shortly (Ross?). 

 

(PK's pitchside report)

 

Rascals vs Moose. 15th Sept 2013. Chairman's Match Report

 

Well who'd of Adam and Eved it.  We actually got a game in, on what was probably, for most of the Country, one of the most inclement days in months.

 

It started early, with Skipper Teddy and myself getting to grips with the foibles of my latest purchase, the Ransomes strip mower.  More levers, switches and adjustment screws haven't been seen on a contraption since the days of Heath Robinson. Still, it looks a peach and shall be tamed by next season.

 

In view of the forecast Armageddon at 4.35pm, we started early (eventually 1.30pm), meaning that for the first time in recent memory, the Chairman had to forgo his pre-contest imbibition. Now there are conflicting repercussions with this scenario. Whilst it made a bizarre and welcome change not to have to disrupt the game on numerous occasions with boundary urinations, it did mean the The Chairman had to nurse his hangover all throughout the afternoon, until Guinness relief after the game. Pays yer money…….

 

The earliest conundrum of the day was proffered by the dilemma of what format of game to be played. Despite the best advice of the Met Office, Teddy was convinced that it wasn't going to rain until 7.00pm and that undertaking his nemesis, a 20/20 game, was simply out of the question. However, in the face of considerable opposition, he agreed that the shorter format was perhaps acceptable, as long as it didn't become a habit. He promptly went out and lost the toss. We were to take to the field.

 

With the first six of the game splatted off Felix Keeling in the first over, we were a feared that a young fit looking Moose (surely there's a word for that) were going gallop away and post a scorcher. However, when The Rascals are good, they are very, very good (then they go down on Alice - I digress. Not only that, but I am renown for confusing my children's literature. Was it Christopher Robin who went down on Alice at the teddy bears' picnic or Noddy. So little time, so much to know!). Any road, OMG we were so like well tight in the field. Felix hoisted his hosiery and took three wickets in his four designated overs. Debutantes Dave Ansell and Seb Phillips, and PK bowled tightly. Then Clifton Major was thrown the ball. He dismissed a brace of Hinchliffes with his first two balls and a couple of overs later just missed out on a second hat trick. Three overs, 18 runs and four wickets. Huzzah for suspension bridges all over the world. Fred Keeling completed the bowling line up, despite cracking his knee after a most impressive scamper and tumble on the boundary. We were celestial and theophoric in the field and nearly skittled them all. Moose: Nelson after 20.

 

'Quick turn around, the rain's coming'

 

Teddy, 'Of course it's not'

 

In the meantime Moose had lost one player, J. Burke, whose Father in Law was about to die! In the absence of impending new life, the best reason I have encountered for match abandonment. Our condolences......

 

Dave Ansell, who lives so close of the ground that a lusty blow could shatter his windows, opened up with Rossco. A zippy young Ogden was twice ‘no balled’ by eagle-eyed umpire Skilbeck in the opening over. However, Dave, facing the fourth ball of the innings, cut the ball to the tallest man on the pitch at point, who plucked the ball from about 15 foot in the air. 2 for I...... Oh dear. Ships, however, are made to be steadied, and was it ever thus. Rossco and PK put on a healthy 45 before Ross was bowled going for the heave-ho. Seb Phillips (oh what a pretty bat!) took his stead but lost his partner PK four runs later. In comes Felix Keeling. With the rain clouds looming, a 65 run partnership and some corking batting saw us home to a fine victory. Huzzah for The Rascals and for Keelings (even if some of them have small heads).

 

As if my magic, the heavens opened (Teddy, ' No they didn't) almost immediately after the players left the field for a monumental tea.  We heartily thank and praise Mrs Chairman and May! Tea eaten and cleared up, washing up done and pavilion tidied, we retired to The Bull to make us burly cheer.

 

Last match fellas. Well done all for a lovely season, played in great spirit, with a healthy tally of good results.

 

Man of the match : Toby Clifton for his belting three overs.

Welcome : Dave Ansell and Seb Phillips (sprog due in two weeks - huzzah!)

Pariah of the Match : Paul Keeling (normal sized head), for being caught - at 3.30pm – half-inching a flap jack.

 

What fun we have. Let's carry the enthusiasm though till next season.

 

Rascals golf day anyone?