Report by Andy Owen and Catherine Owen:
It was a day when rain was forecast to hit Cambridge at roughly the time the match was to start. The players arrived and, after a patient wait, decided to play with ARM's rules (retire at 25 runs; 2 runs for wides and no balls). Andy lost the toss and, upon Remnants being asked to bat, deciding upon Andy Bell and Tom to start. The partnership began well, with balls being hit short and wide, and we were up to 39 runs off 3 overs before rain stopped play.
After a break of 20 minutes they recommenced. The match was now to be just 12 (eight-ball) overs a side. Andy Bell (27* off 16 balls) was the first to retire, after which John Young (5 off 11 balls) joined Tom but was out in the 6th over with the score at 61. Eli Ellwood (25* off 13 balls) then took over with Michael McCann (26* off 16 balls) joining him after Tom had retired (on 25* off 20 balls). Together they went mad and at three-quarters of the way through the innings the total score was 114/1. Catherine Owen then took to the field and made 4 (off 9 balls) before being the next to go during the 11th over with 127 runs on the scoreboard. In came Dave Green, playing his 299th Remnants game, making 3* (off 8 balls) and closing out the innings.
This gave the opponents a worthy total of 132 for 2 to beat in 12 overs. Andy was unsure who should keep wicket at the start of the second innings, eventually choosing himself in the belief that Michael would be a better outfielder. Opening the bowling was Naveen Chouksey (0/19), whose sixth ball was hit to Catherine, fielding at deep point, who threw it to Andy and threw at the non-striker's end where Naveen assisted in the run-out. There was some debate, but the decision stood and Wasim was out for 0.
The score kept ticking over until Quentin Harmer (1/18) struck with the score on 20 in the 4th over, this wicket being completed with a good stumping by Andy. Naveen finished his spell with the score at 45/2 at the half-way point of the innings. John Moore (3/17) struck in his first over and twice in his second with a LBW and stumping making the score 57/5 in the 8th over.
Now it was the turn of Eli (1/18) and Catherine (3/9) to bowl. The fielding overall had been great with Dave Green in close, Naveen deep on the leg side and Michael dirtying his kit on many occasions turning twos into ones. Catherine's took two wickets in her first over, getting out the opposition's number six and seven, one hitting top of off, the other hitting top of leg. After 10 overs the score was 70/7, Eli bowled the last of his spell and bowled out the number nine. Catherine then started her last over taking another wicket and closing the game at 81/9, overall it was a great win played in good spirit.
Congratulations to their captain Tom as we managed to get a game in. It was a brilliant team performance, especially for Andy Bell, Tom Selby, Eli and Michael, as well as Dave Green for nearly playing his 300th game. Thanks for everyone for playing in wet conditions, here's to the Sun!