Having missed the final midweek fixture of the season, my arch cricketing rival, Neil Morely, kindly stepped in with the following report from North West Water's clash with The Woodburners at Llandrinio:
I don't recall signing on any dotted line to agree to write a report on our devastating triumph last week, after your deplorable no-show.
However I can, for a substantial fee, tell you what I remember.It was, in fact, an excellent game played in a good spirit but terrible, though temporarily dry, weather. Your lot chose to bat first, correctly assuming that most of our age-impaired batsmen would be unable to see the ball after about 7.30.
A cunning tactic that almost worked. You were without Carl and Justin but, to make up for that, you weren't playing either.Dan sat it out through injury but umpired (very well).
Basically, as I recall, NWW batted well after a sluggish but steady start. Star man was Ian, who carried his bat for (I think) 49. Whacked the ball with great abandon on the leg side. A couple of the young lads also did well (Steve's son?). Steve himself hit a few of what can only be described as lusty blows, including a big six.
His dismissal was a bizarre classic. Ian hit a Dave Harris ball hard back to the bowler. Dave tried and failed to take what would have been an excellent catch, but in so doing inadvertently diverted the ball on to the stumps at the bowler's end, where poor old Steve was out of his ground.
We bowled quite steadily, and nobody got hammered (well, not before we got to the pub, anyway). Final score (approx): 114-5 after 15 eight-ball overs.Luckily for us, Dave Chirk (where he comes from: don't know his surname) did an Ian and (I think) carried his bat for 54 or so.
My good self opened with him and made my season's top score - a massive nine. Clearly the major player in an opening stand of 36.Run rate-wise, we started and finished well, but in the middle seven or eight overs your bowlers pegged us back and got among the wickets. Alec White and Hal Harries were the main support batsmen to Dave.
In the end, we got there with about 12 balls to spare and about six wickets down.
As usual, it was a close match played in a good spirit. With the weather like it had been all day, it was just brilliant that we managed to get a game. By the end, the light was seriously tricky for batsmen and fielders.
Showing posts with label The Woodburners. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Woodburners. Show all posts
Thursday, 3 September 2009
Thursday, 13 August 2009
We've won - again!
Well, we notched up only our second win of the season last night in pretty murky conditions against the Woodburners at Llandrinio.
Fine performances from Gareth Cole (with both bat and ball), Carl Dulson (bat), Dave Ryder (bat), Geraint and Huw Jones (ball) saw us to an unexpectedly comfortable victory by a margin of 20-odd runs.
Our total of 87 batting first looked a little bit short, but our bowling and fielding restricted the Woodburners to just 25 off the first 10 overs and, together with the fact we regularly took wickets, they were simply too far behind the run rate.
Admittedly, we did have the best of the conditions. We batted first while the light was relatively good and then bowled as became increasingly cloudy and dark. There was also quite a bit of movement for the bowlers which, combined with the slow outfield, made scoring difficult.
The game was also notable for the number of injuries suffered - Dave retired hurt after making 21 with his troublesome Achilles; Dan Powell, our evergreen wicketkeeper, suffered a back spasm and had to be replaced behind the stumps midway through the Woodburners' innings; and Carl also managed to pull a muscle while batting, which restricted his mobility in the field.
After losing skipper Justin early on in the innings, Dave and Gareth established an excellent partnership. Gareth in particular managed to score freely, hitting a couple of fours, before finally falling for 21. Dave kept the scoreboard ticking over, while Carl produced some meaty blows at the other end, including one towering six over long on.
A clatter of wickets in the last few overs kept our total down, and I went in with an over to go but failed to get off the mark as Woodburners finished strongly, conceding only two runs off the final over.
I opened the bowling in, frankly, horrible style, with successive wides. After one good ball, I then served up another wide, before finally finding my radar and conceding only one more run off the remaining 11 balls of my spell. It was pretty frustrating as, apart from those three wides, I beat the bat a few times and almost got a wicket when one of the openers very nearly chopped on to his stumps.
Ian Lloyd was in form at the other end to keep the scoring in check and Geraint then made the first breakthrough, with Gareth taking a fine catch in the gully. We continued to restrict the scoring - the Woodburners only hit one boundary, a six, in the innings - while picking up wickets through Huw, Brian Cole, Carl, Gareth (two clean bowled), and, bowling at the death, Justin.
After reaching 25 at the halfway stage, we were always in control and, as I said, the conditions, particularly the light, definitely helped. Our fielding was also sharp throughout and that certainly played a major part in keeping us on top.
I should also mention my friend, former work colleague and Woodburner Neil Morley who, when umpiring, gave a controversial LBW decision against a team mate who was adamant he'd got an inside edge. It all added to the highly charged - but friendly - atmosphere in which the game was played.
Next Tuesday, we play BT at Oswestry School - hopefully our fine form will continue.
Fine performances from Gareth Cole (with both bat and ball), Carl Dulson (bat), Dave Ryder (bat), Geraint and Huw Jones (ball) saw us to an unexpectedly comfortable victory by a margin of 20-odd runs.
Our total of 87 batting first looked a little bit short, but our bowling and fielding restricted the Woodburners to just 25 off the first 10 overs and, together with the fact we regularly took wickets, they were simply too far behind the run rate.
Admittedly, we did have the best of the conditions. We batted first while the light was relatively good and then bowled as became increasingly cloudy and dark. There was also quite a bit of movement for the bowlers which, combined with the slow outfield, made scoring difficult.
The game was also notable for the number of injuries suffered - Dave retired hurt after making 21 with his troublesome Achilles; Dan Powell, our evergreen wicketkeeper, suffered a back spasm and had to be replaced behind the stumps midway through the Woodburners' innings; and Carl also managed to pull a muscle while batting, which restricted his mobility in the field.
After losing skipper Justin early on in the innings, Dave and Gareth established an excellent partnership. Gareth in particular managed to score freely, hitting a couple of fours, before finally falling for 21. Dave kept the scoreboard ticking over, while Carl produced some meaty blows at the other end, including one towering six over long on.
A clatter of wickets in the last few overs kept our total down, and I went in with an over to go but failed to get off the mark as Woodburners finished strongly, conceding only two runs off the final over.
I opened the bowling in, frankly, horrible style, with successive wides. After one good ball, I then served up another wide, before finally finding my radar and conceding only one more run off the remaining 11 balls of my spell. It was pretty frustrating as, apart from those three wides, I beat the bat a few times and almost got a wicket when one of the openers very nearly chopped on to his stumps.
Ian Lloyd was in form at the other end to keep the scoring in check and Geraint then made the first breakthrough, with Gareth taking a fine catch in the gully. We continued to restrict the scoring - the Woodburners only hit one boundary, a six, in the innings - while picking up wickets through Huw, Brian Cole, Carl, Gareth (two clean bowled), and, bowling at the death, Justin.
After reaching 25 at the halfway stage, we were always in control and, as I said, the conditions, particularly the light, definitely helped. Our fielding was also sharp throughout and that certainly played a major part in keeping us on top.
I should also mention my friend, former work colleague and Woodburner Neil Morley who, when umpiring, gave a controversial LBW decision against a team mate who was adamant he'd got an inside edge. It all added to the highly charged - but friendly - atmosphere in which the game was played.
Next Tuesday, we play BT at Oswestry School - hopefully our fine form will continue.
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Defeat
Many thanks to Neil Morley for the following report from last night's clash between North West Water and teh Woodburners at Whittington. Unfortunately, I was unable to make the match, but it sounds like it was another nail biter.
Wednesday July 8, 2009: the day cricket lovers all over the world had been waiting for with bated breath. The day that two legendary adversaries came head-to-head once more.
At last the hype, speculation, wall-to-wall media coverage and nervous anticipation was over, and the battle between these cricketing giants could commence.
Yes, NWW were taking on the Woodburners.Whittington was bathed in sunshine: a far cry from the last time the two teams met at this venue, when mud was the dominant theme.
Bowlers, backed by good fielding on both sides, were on top in a low-scoring game. The variable bounce made for tricky batting.NWW won the toss and put the Woodburners in. Five of the visitors had played the previous night, in a narrow defeat by BT. Skipper Hugh Curteis was absent.
Alan Bothwell and Neil Morley put on 17 for the first wicket, before the latter gloved a rising ball from G.Jones and was caught behind in the fifth over.
Hal Harries and Bothwell then added 25 for the second wicket, including a six by each batsman off H.Jones.
Youngster R.Jones (NWW's man-of-the-match: 28 and 2-1) then bowled Bothwell (Woodburners' man-of-the-match: 17 and 2-5).
Harries was run out (excellent fielding) shortly afterwards for 18, and when skipper Alec White was also bowled by R.Jones for 2, Woodburners were struggling at 49-4.
Phil Edwards and Rob Birkett saw the visitors through to the close without further mishap, but sharp bowling and good ground fielding kept a tight grip on the scoring rate, and in the eight overs they were together the fifth wicket pair were only able to add another 33 runs, resulting in a final score of 82 for 4 after 20 overs.
The visitors felt they were at least 20 runs short of a competitive target, but their spirits quickly soared when Bothwell dismissed both openers, left-handers B.Cole and G.Cole, in the very first over, Phil Edwards taking both catches.
Dave Ryder and M. Daulby then attempted to steady the ship until Daulby, who was threatening to cut loose, was caught off the leg-spin of guest 11th man (thanks, NWW) Dominic Powell.
R. Jones joined Ryder at the crease, and played the innings of the match, pulling and driving with power and authority, after a careful start. But the required run rate had started to creep up: after 11 overs, only 21 runs were on the board.
Two fours by Jones off Phil Edwards' first over kept the target in reach, but by the time he was caught behind off Graham Stroud for 28, 25 were needed off the last three overs.
I. LLoyd was caught by Morley off Hal Harries for a duck, bringing skipper Justin Evans to the crease. He struck some hefty blows, so that by the start of the last over, 13 were needed for victory.
But despite his best efforts, and those of the steady Dave Ryder, who had been in since the first over, NWW just fell short on 76-4, losing by six wickets.
A close match, played in a good spirit, followed by quality chip butties. What's not to like?
Wednesday July 8, 2009: the day cricket lovers all over the world had been waiting for with bated breath. The day that two legendary adversaries came head-to-head once more.
At last the hype, speculation, wall-to-wall media coverage and nervous anticipation was over, and the battle between these cricketing giants could commence.
Yes, NWW were taking on the Woodburners.Whittington was bathed in sunshine: a far cry from the last time the two teams met at this venue, when mud was the dominant theme.
Bowlers, backed by good fielding on both sides, were on top in a low-scoring game. The variable bounce made for tricky batting.NWW won the toss and put the Woodburners in. Five of the visitors had played the previous night, in a narrow defeat by BT. Skipper Hugh Curteis was absent.
Alan Bothwell and Neil Morley put on 17 for the first wicket, before the latter gloved a rising ball from G.Jones and was caught behind in the fifth over.
Hal Harries and Bothwell then added 25 for the second wicket, including a six by each batsman off H.Jones.
Youngster R.Jones (NWW's man-of-the-match: 28 and 2-1) then bowled Bothwell (Woodburners' man-of-the-match: 17 and 2-5).
Harries was run out (excellent fielding) shortly afterwards for 18, and when skipper Alec White was also bowled by R.Jones for 2, Woodburners were struggling at 49-4.
Phil Edwards and Rob Birkett saw the visitors through to the close without further mishap, but sharp bowling and good ground fielding kept a tight grip on the scoring rate, and in the eight overs they were together the fifth wicket pair were only able to add another 33 runs, resulting in a final score of 82 for 4 after 20 overs.
The visitors felt they were at least 20 runs short of a competitive target, but their spirits quickly soared when Bothwell dismissed both openers, left-handers B.Cole and G.Cole, in the very first over, Phil Edwards taking both catches.
Dave Ryder and M. Daulby then attempted to steady the ship until Daulby, who was threatening to cut loose, was caught off the leg-spin of guest 11th man (thanks, NWW) Dominic Powell.
R. Jones joined Ryder at the crease, and played the innings of the match, pulling and driving with power and authority, after a careful start. But the required run rate had started to creep up: after 11 overs, only 21 runs were on the board.
Two fours by Jones off Phil Edwards' first over kept the target in reach, but by the time he was caught behind off Graham Stroud for 28, 25 were needed off the last three overs.
I. LLoyd was caught by Morley off Hal Harries for a duck, bringing skipper Justin Evans to the crease. He struck some hefty blows, so that by the start of the last over, 13 were needed for victory.
But despite his best efforts, and those of the steady Dave Ryder, who had been in since the first over, NWW just fell short on 76-4, losing by six wickets.
A close match, played in a good spirit, followed by quality chip butties. What's not to like?
Friday, 22 August 2008
Legal action?
The latest correspondence from Neil Morley concerning the Woodburners' fortunate victory over North West Water at Whittington on Wednesday.
Mr Wright:
My solicitors advise me that, bearing in mind the Cutting And Pasting On To Blogs Without Permission Act, an out-of-court settlement of, say, 10k, should embarrassing legal proceedings no longer necessary.
Actually, we were very very lucky to get a game. It was rain-free during play, but it was cloudy and threatening. We cut it down to ten 8-ball overs, which proved to be a good decision.
Modesty forbids me to mention the part played by a elderly gent of this parish in a 41-run, (all-run, boundary free) opening stand by the Woodgeezers. But what the hell, I'll mention it anyway.
Cheers, Neil
Mr Wright:
My solicitors advise me that, bearing in mind the Cutting And Pasting On To Blogs Without Permission Act, an out-of-court settlement of, say, 10k, should embarrassing legal proceedings no longer necessary.
Actually, we were very very lucky to get a game. It was rain-free during play, but it was cloudy and threatening. We cut it down to ten 8-ball overs, which proved to be a good decision.
Modesty forbids me to mention the part played by a elderly gent of this parish in a 41-run, (all-run, boundary free) opening stand by the Woodgeezers. But what the hell, I'll mention it anyway.
Cheers, Neil
Thursday, 21 August 2008
A sorry and soggy end to the season
I missed last night's game between North West Water and The Woodburners at Whittinghton - our final fixture of the season - due to being stuck in a queue of traffic on the M6 at Birmingham.
However, my former colleague Neil Morley - a Woodburners' stalwart - helpfully sent in this summary of proceedings. I can only assume he's being sarcastic when he refers to me as 'star all-rounder'. Regular readers of this blog will recognise this as a blatant misrepresentation of my lack of talent.
It sounds like it was a fitting end to a season that has been disrupted by bad weather throughout. Our form fell away as the season went on - probably due to the frequent postponements - and we also lost last week in the 17th over to our other arch-rivals, The Orhtopaedic last week. Still, we do have a 40 over game pencilled in for the 7th of September. Things can only get better!
Anyway, here's Neil's match report:
Fuming NWW cricketers blamed their star all-rounder Martin 'Wrighty' Wright for their latest devastating defeat against arch-rivals the Woodburners.
''If only Wrighty had turned up, we might have lost by a run or two less,'' said a rueful NWW spokesman after last night's Whittington debacle.
Gleeful Woodburners took full advantage of the absence of NWW's much-vaunted iconic talisman, romping home by the huge margin of a few runs, on a pitch that was later described as 'a trifle muddy'.
...but seriously, shame you weren't there, we were two short as well. It was a good see-sawing game on a surreal strip (I went a**e-over-tit the first time I ran).
However, my former colleague Neil Morley - a Woodburners' stalwart - helpfully sent in this summary of proceedings. I can only assume he's being sarcastic when he refers to me as 'star all-rounder'. Regular readers of this blog will recognise this as a blatant misrepresentation of my lack of talent.
It sounds like it was a fitting end to a season that has been disrupted by bad weather throughout. Our form fell away as the season went on - probably due to the frequent postponements - and we also lost last week in the 17th over to our other arch-rivals, The Orhtopaedic last week. Still, we do have a 40 over game pencilled in for the 7th of September. Things can only get better!
Anyway, here's Neil's match report:
Fuming NWW cricketers blamed their star all-rounder Martin 'Wrighty' Wright for their latest devastating defeat against arch-rivals the Woodburners.
''If only Wrighty had turned up, we might have lost by a run or two less,'' said a rueful NWW spokesman after last night's Whittington debacle.
Gleeful Woodburners took full advantage of the absence of NWW's much-vaunted iconic talisman, romping home by the huge margin of a few runs, on a pitch that was later described as 'a trifle muddy'.
...but seriously, shame you weren't there, we were two short as well. It was a good see-sawing game on a surreal strip (I went a**e-over-tit the first time I ran).
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