Match Report

Basked in sunshine, the lavant pitch was solid as a rock. The new skipper won the toss (phone flip) against the opposition and without hesitation put the rebranded T20 side into bat. The legends? The lizards? …..No the unhinged, loud, Eurasian Waterbirds ‘The Lavant Loons.’

The side was a flock of misfits, ready to tackle a very strong Ashling side.

Joe and Will started off steady with a partnership of 43 off 6 overs, courtesy of some lusty blows from Joe. Will was bowled, which meant the former skipper was sent into bat. Joe continued with aggression and intent. Some big sixes entertained a growing crowd. Lavant was ready to pounce. Joe had to retire with a well constructed 31. (Top scorer of the day)

It meant the new captain was required to continue the good start with Chrissy Mac. 

It turned out, the pitch was not as consistent as anticipated, but both fought valiantly to post a 19 run partnership. Chris O Mac hoisting the ball to his favoured cow corner. Unfortunately he was bowled, trying to up the ante. 

TVT nurdled the ball around with Steve day, proving that a bit of patience and proper cricket shots were still required in the modern game. I think he even left a couple of ‘good’ balls. The opposition tried the slower bowlers and batters kept the scoring at about 7 and a half an over. The partnership of 35 between these two was solid.

Would this be enough? Only time would tell. The new skipper sacrificed his wicket hitting across the line (knowing there was plenty inthe hutch batting right down to 10) to a low and straight ball, which gave the child slayer a chance to prove his batting ability. 

He did not disappoint by flinging the blade (with gay abandon) with a boundary for his first scoring shot and running singles and the extras as much as possible. It was another solid partnership between Steve and JC. Steve was unselfish and tried to push the score but was bowled. It meant our Sunday openers were next on the list. Iain swung from the hip with only a 4 overs left and once again another bowled from the oppo. A helpless situation, but staying true to his natural style of play. Ruthless aggression. 

Justin was next in -seeing it like a beach ball cracked the ball over long off, sounding like zeus’s lightning bolt then muscling another couple of boundaries. 

Both James and justin (double J) finishing with a handy partnership of 23

A final score of 148, a competitive score the captain was telling his team at the halfway mark. 

Opening with Ian radar Rawnsley, he started with a good line and length. Kier (not starmer) opened from the other end after a 4 year hiatus from the gentlemens game. Bowling at the required run rate for two overs. A very warm welcome to the lavant club. 

Ian R snaffled two wickets in 3 overs and bowled his full complement 3-29. (and the first catch of the match)

Justin came on to bowl very tightly with Will supporting with his tricky left arm pace. Standing at fine leg, the captain seemed to be chasing leather, trying to avoid the field position changes and struggling to talk to anyone. After missing a ball that slipped through the keepers hands and a poorly positioned fine leg. Justin was brought off before some expletives were exchanged. Searching for more wickets, the skipper bought himself on with success for his first ball and bowled two tight overs, ably supported with the ever reliable slayer!

The ashling captain however had other intentions hitting the lavant skipper out if the attack with a flurry of boundaries. However, a spectacular catch at long off by chris, (somehow getting around the boundary with a leg injury) stemmed the flow and swung the pendulum back into lavants favour. 

Thinking about sausages in the pub and the next bowling change, the skipper was daydreaming and missed a ball completely to let a 4 through. Will was not impressed. 

With only 3 overs left and just 23 to get, will bowled the 18th over only going for a paltry 5 runs. An important 1-29 off 4. James held his nerve bowling steadily with only 9 off his last finishing with figures of 2-19 off 3. With one over left and 12 to win. Justin was handed the last over. Bowling full and straight he stemmed the flow of runs the with great lines and held firm bowling full yorkers and remaining unhittable finishing with figures of 0-16 off his 4 overs. An economical and accurate bowling spell. 

Cava moment (almost the most spectacular catch by Steve day)

Champagne moment : the straight six over the bowlers head by once again Steve day. 

However, the 1st official lavant loon prize goes to The slayer. A competent knock 16 not out, great running, and a couple of wickets 2-19

A first up win for the T20 Lavant Loons. 

We move on the next home game against chidham in 2 weeks time. I look forward to the teamwork, comradery and fun times…..and the cricket.