Report by Paul Jordan:
This game was one of those, where you feel that you know the outcome, but still look forward to it because the opposition play with such a cavalier attitude and an infectious enthusiasm.
Unlike the previous game where Chris Badger had done some devilish horse-trading we had the mercurial T.K. on our team - to play - which would of course add some spice to the occasion. Skipper Paul duly lost the toss and Centaurs elected to bat. The format was the tried and tested 15x8 with retirement at 40.
At this point I have to say that the scorebook doesn't really provide me with regular score updates according to the overs. I can only provide a snapshot of the innings relating to bowling changes and from my viewpoint. Our opening partnership of Mike and CJ kept things reasonably under control with CJ slipping in one too many short deliveries, which were dispatched. With John Moore suffering a little from a Latitude festival hangover the score had accelerated. But Paul's 2 overs put the brakes on the scoring along with some tidy bowling from Marcus which induced a smart stumping from Cameron. The feeling at this point was that a score of 150 was a possible outcome and if we could keep the scoring under control, we might be in with a shout. This job of containment would be down to Seb and T.K. for those last 5 overs.
Unfortunately for us, the Centaurs' number 5 batter had not read that particular script and seemed hell-bent on hitting every ball over the ropes. He found the last over of Marcus particularly frustrating but clearly enjoyed the seam up of Seb: the sequence of . 1 1 6 6 4 4 changed the outcome considerably. Nobody bowled badly and in fact the ground fielding was exemplary, particularly CJ Nevertheless, we were facing a total of 181 to beat (at least it was an improvement on last time, albeit miniscule).
Our reply was in the capable batting hands of a pretty formidable top order: Cameron; CJ; Seb; J.P.; Marcus; and TK. Surely passing 181 would be within our grasp? Cam and CJ started off looking every bit the opening partnership that you could possibly hope for. After 2 overs we stood at 20/0 looking more than comfortable. The Centaurs were unfortunately one short in the field so T.K. obliged by fielding for them, taking up a position at deep mid-wicket in front of the pavilion. The next two overs were a turning point in the Remnants innings. From 20/0 off two overs we suddenly plummeted to 26/2. This painful turn of events was made all the worse because both Cam and CJ holed out to the same sub fielder at deep mid-wicket. Now far be it for me to draw a Biblical analogy here, but you can understand the bewilderment as both these batsmen realised their fate was sealed by the more than safe hands of T.K.
Seb and J.P. looked like the partnership we had hoped for, both producing classy drives, pulls and cuts. Seb was finally out for a valuable 37, with J.P. not far behind holing out to a fine catch at deep long on for 25. Marcus made a valuable 22 including a reverse sweep over point for six. At ten overs we stood at 98 and with T.K. still to bat we dared to dream . . .
The Centaurs' bowling while looking unremarkable was always accurate and frequently backed up by their fielding. Enter T.K. After his exploits in the field earlier surely he would atone for those two catches?
The bowler came in and bowled a fairly standard delivery, which T.K. conspired to spiral in the direction of the bowler for the simplest of catches and was out for a golden - a rarity I'm sure. The send-off was even more remarkable as he was barracked from the wicket almost to the pavilion by a baying crowd of Centaurs (and no that is not a new collective noun either). Alas we fell short finishing up with a total of 151 and so all we can say is "shabash" to the Centaurs once more.