'Colliery Crack'

Spiff · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:01 am Post subject: 3rds v Normanby Hall, 13th July

For the 2nd year in a row, Blackhall entertained Normanby 3s on a sticky dog at the Welfare.

Opposition skipper Colin Vaulks must have been licking his lips at the thought of a bowl on a deck which had the thick end of 3 days worth of rain in it, and he duly won the toss, probably setting a new world record for the smallest amount of time between the coin landing and uttering the words "We'll bowl".

It would have been immaterial anyhow, cos Blackers had decided we would bat!!

The first ball spat off a length & the tone was set. Runs were always going to be very difficult to come by as playing shots was difficult. Smith spooned a drive straight up in the air & was well caught, Browny panicked because we weren't scoring at our usual 6 an over & was cleaned up when he missed a magic-one-knee, and Dabsy looked like he didn't know one end of the bat from the other.

All the while Neil patiently grafted away and he made a patient 20, much to the disgust of well known afficionado Alfie Allen "Why he wants to learn to hit the ball doesn't he?".

The visitors turned to spin & it went big time. The leggie Smith (who bowled very well at their gaff last year & probably would have won them the game at the 'Hall too if he had been given a chance) came on and initially looked as if he was chucking grenades, but when he found his length he claimed a quick four fer.

Gramma top scored with 25, and in conjunction with a pleasing knock of 19 from James Connor (who struck the ball very nicely when he was able to free his arms) the home side were able to drag themselves past the 100 mark before Jordan Leech claimed 3 wickets in the final over to give his figures a somewhat flattering look. 102 all out from 44.4, which we thought gave us a sniff.

But Normanby had a strong top order and that was never to be. Spin was the order of the day, but there were too many long hops & full tosses offered up. Gramma dropped Rashid at short leg off Dabs, a very presentable opportunity that, had it been taken, could have changed things, but as he himself had said at tea, to defend 102 you MUST take your chances.

Midgey found some real turn & bowled very well again, but the visitors cruised to an easy 8 wicket victory, James Connor picking up the 2nd wicket of Rashid for 57 to round off a very pleasing day for him personally.

105-2 in 28.3 overs, which were completed in 1 hour 10 minutes which is some going.

The 3s now sit mid-table and have probably had most of their easier games for the season, table toppers Yarm are the next visitors.
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"Spiff, those BLT sarnies were lovely. I don't like bacon either"
"So why have a BLT then?"
"Cos I really like tomato & I thought that would sort of cancel out the bacon"

Spinbowler · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 11:15 am Post subject:

I'm going to be controversial here. I thought Blackers' captaincy was shite. The lad who got the runs kept lofting the ball over mid-off and mid-on. More than a dozen times I would say and I don't recall the field being altered ONCE in 25 overs. Very poor.
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"Just a moment - will you shut the f*** up, I'm on the phone - sorry about that."

cowcorner · Just netting Joined: 12 Apr 2008 Posts: 20

[quote="Spiff"] Jordan Leech claimed 3 wickets in the final over to give his figures a somewhat flattering look. 102 all out from 44.4, which we thought gave us a sniff.

A Leech taking wickets at Blackhall Wink

Cheers for that report Spiff

cowcorner · Just netting Joined: 12 Apr 2008 Posts: 20

Spiff · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 12:36 pm Post subject:

Nice to see some of the young 'uns getting a game this year Mel, after Browny made sure none of them got a chance last year, with Col bowling 23 overs & Chris Witherley about 18.

Like I said, if he had bowled Smith youse lot would have won I reckon, but he just kept cacking himself every time we hit a boundary & sticking loads of men out even though we were 8 down.
_________________
"Spiff, those BLT sarnies were lovely. I don't like bacon either"
"So why have a BLT then?"
"Cos I really like tomato & I thought that would sort of cancel out the bacon"

mel brain · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 5:59 pm Post subject:

much to the disgust of well known afficionado Alfie Allen "Why he wants to learn to hit the ball doesn't he?".

He had the same craic 20 years ago

Spinbowler · Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 7:31 am Post subject:

Aye Mel. The same s**t craic. Run hard, come on! We have to accept these panel members as our supporters though. There aren't that many! Bring back the abuse bench!
_________________
"Just a moment - will you shut the f*** up, I'm on the phone - sorry about that."

Spiff · Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:22 am Post subject:

I think I upset him by having a pop at him after that particular comment though. He hasn't spoken to me since.
_________________
"Spiff, those BLT sarnies were lovely. I don't like bacon either"
"So why have a BLT then?"
"Cos I really like tomato & I thought that would sort of cancel out the bacon"

Spinbowler · Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:24 am Post subject:

Bet you're gutted.
_________________
"Just a moment - will you shut the f*** up, I'm on the phone - sorry about that."