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18/09/2012
Vs Haringey Librarians
Rosaneri cricket is back to its very best and we are certainly on a crest of a wave at the moment.
That may seem a strange statement as we lost the game. But much more important than that was the fact that we had a close contest, played in the right spirit with maximum banter. This one as in the previous month or so had it all !
The home side started the game no more than steadily thanks to some excellent bowling from Rahul and Coxy.
The wickets took a long time in coming, but the run rate was always capped at a sensible level. Steve Nichols brief cameo with the ball yielded the initial breakthrough thanks to a fine catch from Big Mike.
Darren and Cuz kept things quiet, apart from Cuz's figures being ruined by Jim's shockingly bad ground fielding. Then the wicket machine himself, Nick Shewring, was introduced and the wickets began to tumble.
The main catylyst to the wicket festival that errupted after drinks was the roaring lion stumping king otherwise known as Mr Bell ! He roared so much in this game he created a new club record of 4 stumpings inone game.
Nick bowled very well to secure a 4 fer and Jim worked hard at the other end to secure a brace.
At tea Rosaneri knew they had to chase 213.
The Rosaneri reply couldn't have begun any slower with 3 maiden overs being recorded.
Mr Bell got bored with this though and broke free in the 4th over with some lovely shots, and it didn't take long before the Civic Centre had to be evacuated as the big man launched a rocket towards it.
The one man run chase came to an end though eventually with the bowler celebrating like Freddie Flintoff in an Ashes series.
To his credit Big Mike assumed immediate responsibility and played some lovely shots to continue the momentum.
Arthur joined in with a resolute attitude and played sensible shots all round the wicket. And once Mike departed Arthur got his head down and batted brilliantly to record a maiden fifty for the club.
The Fonz missed out this week with the bat, but Darren didn't and he guided the tail following Arthur's departure.
Everything eventually bolied down to the last over with the Pinks requiring 7 to win. Jim failed to get a decent bowler away and holed out to leave Darren on strike.
With 2 balls left Darren just didn't get enough on a cut and was caught at point.
A great game and a great advert for sporting cricket.
We may not have won, but this game was a magnificent benchmark of a great day out and the reason we play.
A senior pro from the oppo summed it up in the bar afterwards when he said,
"That was the most enjoyable game i have played in since....(long pause while genuinely thinking).............ever."
By
Jim Downing
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