Maltesers trump touring Strollers (part two) posted: November 21, 2011
Following an evening of predictable tomfoolery, the Strollers turned up for the T20 game, the second of two matches, against our excellent hosts Marsa CC, on the morning of the 13th. The toss was engineered in the favour of the Strollers, who went out to bat. George and Big Gav opened the batting, and the Strollers were soon a wicket down. Perhaps mindful of the glacial pace at which our innings had been conducted on the previous day, Gav called for a second run where there was none to be had and the throw was good. George departed soon after without troubling the scorers after getting a good one from Brooke.
Deavs made 12 stylish runs before being stumped and Matt contributed four, but the Marsa bowling was tight, young Ali generating good pace from the top end. But with four down and not much more than 20 on the board, it was looking a little bleak for the Strollers. Not for the first time this season, the innings was rescued by a urgent knock from Tim, who, by the way, had particularly enjoyed various renditions of the Jimmy Savile Rap on the previous night. (Who hadn’t? –Ed).
Tim scored 31, runs worth their weight in gold given the difficulty of scoring heavily on a large, slow outfield. Dickie chipped in with nine, but his most noteworthy contribution to the day’s entertainment was undoubtedly his efforts to avoid a run out. Short of his ground, Richard sprawled all his length on the matting wicket. As various throws to the non-striker’s end failed to hit, Richard crawled to the crease, inch by inch, the Legend flailing impotently (Oooh, missus!) Definitely the champagne moment of the day.
Young David Couldrey, looking rather better than he had on the previous day when he appeared close to death and had commenced the day’s proceedings by vomiting in the flower beds alongside the club house, contributed 11 vital runs in a little partnership with Simon at the end and a final total of 103 was at least defendable. In fairness, Marsa had also sportingly used nine bowlers.
Given tiredness, hangovers and general ageing, the Strollers began their time in the field with some sprightliness. Boughey, who likes the matting surface, fired it in once more and conceded only five runs from his first three overs – a period which included another dropped catch off an edge (sigh) and some salty and wholly unnecessary sledging off the Marsa openers. Jezz captured two wickets which his prodigious away drift had deserved on the previous day, and Marsa fell well below the asking rate. Chris took two wickets, George another off his two overs and Spencer was tight (his bowling I mean….).
A victory loomed, and there was general excitement in the ranks. But it was not to be. Everyone knew that we were at least a bowler light on this tour (probably a player or two as well as there was absolutely no room for incapacity through injury or insupportable drunkenness) and this came home to roost. Deavs, who had not bowled for five years, conceded 22 off the 17th over and that was the decisive moment, leaving Marsa needing just five off the last two overs.
The game ended with presentations and awards, at which the outgoing skipper spoke with his accustomed eloquence. Despite the defeat, it had been an excellent game, and, in all, a fine tour. Marsa and Malta had treated the Strollers very well.
