Match Report 04/08/02

ITS A DOG'S LIFE SOMETIMES!

by Alan Waterbutt

Bures League Team hosted Great Bromley at the Riverside on Sunday 4th August in search of a second win on the trot to consolidate their mid-table position.

The weather did its best to delay if not cancel proceedings but in true bulldog spirit (sorry, Tyson) the game was given the go-ahead on time by the umpires following a pitch inspection. Both teams agreed a reduced 40 over contest. Word soon got round and the majority of the Bures team beat a hasty retreat from the local pubs to watch W Amos and L Chambers open the Bures batting virtually on time.

Both teams held a minute's silence prior to the start of the game in memory of a much-missed member of the Gt. Bromley Club.

Back to the action and the visitors made a mighty early breakthrough with the dismissal of Wamos for a rare duck. This followed his excellent ton last week. The weather looked fine for more ducks at this stage as well and their capture of the in-form Bures skipper clearly delighted the Bromley team whilst severe depression began to set in the home team. We all know, however, that depression is no laughing matter and the Bures batters dug in.

Chambers L began to take the game to the opposition with some good but all too transient support from his team mates, especially Chris Ayres who weighed in with 30. Louis scored an excellent 78 before holing out and the Bures Innings closed on a commendable but worryingly inadequate 139 all out. Amazingly (well I was !) no other batter reached double figures on a wicket that played at its very best following the monsoon conditions of the previous few days.

Tea was taken, courtesy of Ros and the lovely Carol - the prawn sandwiches and home-made chocky cake being much appreciated by your correspondent. Quantity had to be restricted however by our six sorry five sorry four bowlers as knew we had to bowl out Bromley to win. I noted with interest that the girls were doing their best to load up some of the Bromley boys with extra chocky cake in an obvious effort to slow them down to our speed.

Unfortunately their star batters were either not clearly identified or the plan was drowned by the several bottles of Pimms "found " in the inner reaches of the kitchen and the Bromley openers began their reply in very humid, close but improving conditions.

After a bright start their innings deteriorated into something resembling a hypnotic trance and both batters and bowlers were becoming bored with maiden following maiden and just one wicket to fall in 18 overs. Even Tyson was making his feelings known - crying and wailing at every run and dropped catch(!) from the boundary and only the winning Bromley run for the loss of only two wickets put an end to his, and our misery.

So Bures licked their wounds and Tyson licked his balls. We now have to regroup for next Tuesday's Final !!