Report by Daniel Mortlock:
And so to our final external game of the year, a return match against The Computer Laboratory, whom we beat comfortably in July. Just about everyone was there in time for a prompt 5:30pm start (well, maybe a little after that), although Remnants once again had to bat first by virtue of being the tardier of the two teams. Not that any of this seemed likely to matter - with most of our innings played in annoying drizzle, and thunder claps interspersed with the thwack of leather on willow, a wash-out appeared the most probable result.
The Computer Lab appeared to be unencumbered by decent bowlers, with the predictable result that the Remnants top order had a field day. Martyn Law (69 off 45 balls) and Andy Owen (40 off 43 balls) both started a little slowly, but eventually put on an 80-run stand off 74 balls, the last 40 of those runs coming off three very eventful overs. Andy was somewhat subdued, but proved an excellent foil for Martyn, who started by knocking gentle singles and finished with 8 fours and 2 big sixes to his name. Nick Clarke (37 off 18 balls) then took the scoring to another level: his full innings was . . . 4 4 1 3 2 1 2 . 2 4 4 4 2 4 W, possibly the fastest scoring of the season. Thus we went from a respectable 89/1 after 10 eight-ball overs to an awesome final total of 157/3.
Given that the clouds and drizzle had been replaced by blazing sunshine, we seemed to be a mere 112 deliveries away from a satisfying conclusion to the season. Certainly when Russell Woolf's first over cost just one run (which came from a flukey top edge), the question appeared not to be "if?" but "by how much?"
We failed to make and early breakthrough, however, and the batsmen soon began scoring at the required rate without undue risk. Daniel Mortlock bowled a willful spell of 3/23, but whilst the wickets were clearly useful they didn't include that of Mr Livett, who'd sailed past fifty and was eyeing off a match-winning century. We didn't look like bowling him out, but there did seem to be some chance of exhausting him, and he did begin to tire . . . the main effect of which appeared to be that he ran fewer singles and hit more boundaries. It's tempting to blame bad bowling or poor fielding, but we did well in the outfield and plenty of Martyn's 11 fours and 4 sixes were whacked off perfectly good balls on off stump.
Nonetheless, with four overs to go we remained in the game: The Computer Lab still needed 56 off the final 32 balls. But it seemed that every time we were on the verge of getting some breathing space you-know-who would swipe a huge six, and we'd find ourselves searching for yet another lost ball. In the end the winning runs were scored off the fourth last delivery and Martyn was clapped from the ground having made an awesome 104 not out.
Thus we ended (the non-internal part of) a generally successful season with a rather unsatisfactory run of three losses. Anyway, nothing that a few beers can't fix - or at least distract you from - and with Dave Norman back from holidays and today's nemesis kindly buying a double jug, the nectar of life flowed until long after a most glorious sunset.