“William Shakespeare, Edward Elgar, J K Rowling, Jilly Cooper, Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen, Jeremy Clarkson can you hear me ? Your boys just took one hell of a beating !”…………………..Andy Underwood moments after the conclusion of play.
This was the game that Rosaneri simply had to win………and they did.
The wicket was a classic green top and the weather was unsettled with a blustery wind. Not classic cricketing conditions, but everything felt right from the moment that the Rosaneri playing staff arrived at the ground.
The Cotswolds won the toss and that was the last point during the day when the phrase “winners” was associated with their name.
Big Mike and Slaps set about the job in hand with busy momentum and the score ticked nicely past the 50 mark without the loss of a wicket to give the pinks a perfect launch pad to get into a winning position.
Tony and then Ian continued the good work, even though a great spell of bowling from Jim Sandford temporarily bogged Rosaneri down with 3 consecutive maidens. Bloater added more runs and started to loosen the shackles before the middle and late order set about adding a massive flurry of vital runs to post a very healthy 184 in 40 overs.
Tea was a leisurely and relaxed affair with both sides thinking that they had a good chance of winning.
Marcus and Nick opened the bowling and Rosaneri authority was stamped all over the game with 4 wickets within the first 7 overs. The fielding was superb and Rosaneri’s confidence and spirit combined to cripple The Cotswolds batting hopes.
Mat and Stephen applied the principles of line and length to stifle a good looking partnership and increase the visitor’s frustrations. Stephen bowled his 8 straight through and returned incredible figures by only conceding 14 runs.
A magnificent running and diving catch from Bloater broke the resisting partnership and with it the dreams of all Cotswold’s fans. The game was up and the Rosaneri bowling machine swiftly wrapped up the odds and sods to complete a famous victory.
The overall series score now stands at 1-3, and all is set for the next game in 2010.