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CRASHING OUT OF THE CUP
It was all
looking so good. The selection committee had packed
the side with talent and most of those had mustered
at the allotted meet time and the sun was shining.
Targeting the prestigious Sally Miller Trophy this
year could bring us silverware. Bring it on.
Arriving at the tucked away ground of the mighty
Balcombe we were met by the sight of feverish pitch
preparation and opening batsmen honing their skills
in the nets. The deck was white, flat and hard and
only a long putt from the tree lined boundary on one
side.
The toss is made and we take the field. Hindsight is
such a wonderful thing.
Early in-roads are made. Bodies are on the line.
Then the sun is obscured as Balcombe's number 5
strides to the crease - strangely the only time he
used his feet - and marks out his guard with a bat
once owned by Odin's bigger brother. His 70 in what
seemed like 2 overs puts us to the sword and gives
our deep fielders the chance to view close up the
crops growing in the fields over long on.
You are always going to need a good tea to chase
down triple Nelson and clotted cream scones normally
do the trick. We can get these if we bat properly
and hit the bad ball. We don't.
As the Palmers scorers bicker over every aspect of
keeping the oppositions book in order Stuart and
Bill give us heart and at times misguided belief
with solid performances that apply some filler to
our dented pride.
Hey the distraction of a long cup run is over. Move
on. Bring on the league! |
