Match Report - Bures Vs. Gestingthorpe 05/07/03

Bures  104 all out (S. Ayers 45). Gestingthorpe 106 for 2 (P. McKenna 13-2-34-0, M. Slow 12-3-26-2)

 Win for Gestingthorpe.

Gestingthorpe Jinx strikes again!

Eight Bures players assembled at Gestingthorpe at the appointed hour, having extricated themselves from the clutches of the Bures carnival. The other two were not so lucky and Mitch did not even know he was playing! But eventually a full eleven assembled on the Gestingthorpe village green and cautiously inspected the playing surface which resembled a strip of moist plasticine which had been rolled flat. In warm and humid conditions and on a surface which had seen a fair bit of rain, there would be help for the bowlers and it would be essential to win the toss and bowl first! Needless to say, this did not happen. Mr. Slow, dismayed at having called incorrectly, was without a moment's hesitation invited by the Gestingthorpe skip. to bat.

The Bures opening pair of Marc Norton and James Lee had a torrid time, with extreme bounce off a length at one end and exaggerated swing bowling from the other. Marc was quickly bowled and Chris Ayers, hero of Essex Vs. Suffolk, gloved a lifter to the keeper for a duck. Enter Mr. Slow, fresh from his bonding session with his mentor Mr. Stodge who proceeded to try and rebuild the innings with James Lee until James was bowled by a big inswinger. Si Ayers, perfecting the play-and-miss and not afraid to hook the lifters (that's most of them!) saw off the opening bowlers and together with MS took the score on to 80 odd for 3 in the next 25 overs. Poor MS had a torrid time and spent most of his innings watching the ball pitch on a length and whiz past his head. Inevitably, a further delivery struck him firmly on the forehead necessitating a call for a protective helmet! (Oh yes, and it BLOODY hurt!). Eventually, after what seemed an age, MS succumbed to yet another rising ball, gloved to one of the several close fielders who had been watching his discomfort with some amusement. Si Ayers continued his contribution before falling just sadly short of his fifty and with the thought of tea in the air and with the noble exception of a lusty blow or two from Darren Bugbee (I kid you not!), Bures capitulated to 104 all out.

Tea was a fine affair with plentiful sarnies as the Bures boys contemplated bowling on a wicket which had dried somewhat since the start of the game. In the absence of a line and length bowler of sufficient pace to take advantage of the now improving batting conditions, Marc Norton bowled his heart out without reward and Steady McKenna and Mr. Slow were quickly in tandem, bowling on a length and inviting the mishit. But the obdurate Gestingthorpe batsmen were in no hurry to reach such a modest target and eschewed the rash shot, waiting instead for the odd loose ball. The Bures boys fielded like tigers but as is so often the case in low scoring games, several chances fell tantalisingly out of reach. The Bures total was overwhelmed with just 5 overs remaining and that, I am afraid was that.

Having bump-started Tom Cropper's jalopy, Bures repaired to the Gestingthorpe Pheasant in surprisingly good heart to find a rather more foody pub that we remembered, but still with three real ales, soppy labrador and bar-billiards table. The Adnams Best was a little tired and some of the lady members decided to hit the Stella at £2.60 a pint, a price tag that was just a touch resented (If you ask me it should be £3.60......!). McKenna was quickly into his stride at the head of the table, leading the conversation to a topic concerning members of the opposite sex; one which I have to conceed he appears to have immense knowledge of. Slow Junior, Lee Norton and James Lee traded insults of a youthful nature while Mitch just sat and giggled, a habit he seems to have acquired from the Ayers twins. The various members went their separate ways after a belly laugh or two, with a majority headed for the Bures Gay Bar. A grand end to a less-than grand afternoon, but we live to fight another day.

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