After over a month of waiting, the Loons were awaiting their first fixture with anticipation. Weather has been a nemisis for mid week games, causing disruption and cancellation. The team was comprised of members old and new for lavant. Ashling (always a tough opposition) were the next focus to keep Lavanys winning ways. 

The school term ended this week, which usually coincides with grey weather. A downpour at 2pm contributed to a very grassy, green Ashling pitch. 

Once the taxi services were completed after picking up Sir Kier and the ever elusive bursar Bursford, it was time for the toss. The captain called tails but it fell on heads. Another loss of the toss, where he would have bowled first on a juicy pitch. Lavant were inserted into bat. Steve B and Steve D or as the scorers had to differentiate between the two, shiny helmet and taller guy, took to the crease. The Ashling openers, bowled with pace and precision with a new pink ball. It was hard going for the first 8 overs for 32 runs. Ashling were turning the screws. Steve was bowled for 7 runs after a steady start. Andy was bowled for 3 making his first appearance at three. This brought in Will TRex to the crease, who dismantled the bowling attack with lusty blows and agressive running with Steve B. Some huge trade mark sixes littered the ground. This partnership got the scoring back on track. Steve shiny helmet Brooker managed to play out his innings retiring at 25, and Will T managed 30 Not out. This meant a double change. Tam Tran strode out to the crease with the youngster Max little piggie Pigden. Both were striking the ball hard but could not breach the defenses of the ashling fielders. A few boundaries and singles raised the total to 90 hoping to get to triple figures. A mistimed drive by max and he was out for 14. The skipper tried to up the ante without any effect swiping across the line to a pee roller and clean bowled. It was Radars turn to bat for the first time in the T20s. The skipper knew his batting resume as he had inspected the old scorebooks. A beautiful glance down the leg side 3 runs and a single. Lloyd ran hard to sneak a few singles to add to the total. The total snuck up to 3 figures. Ian was caught out and Sir Kier was bowled first ball. John butt was left with 2 balls but without any more runs added to the total. A modest score of 104. Would this be enough for the match, only time would tell. The skipper was hinging his hopes on the previous Ashling fixture as the last 35 over game ended up on 90 runs.

It was an exciting prospect as we had a new gloveman for the loons. Will T kept behind the stumps, leaping like an enthusiastic frog. The opening bowlers were Radar and The Bursar. Ian was on target as usual and the bursar as economical as ever. Ian took a wicket in the first over giving his obligatory send off, whilst Dave held up the other end. They worked in tandem to set up a tight finish. Dave picked up a wicket in his 3rd over. 6 over downs and it was 2-22 (as Richie Benaud would say) The skipper and Max replaced the openers to keep an over each back. The burly number 4 had other ideas as he despatched Tran to the boundary 2 times before he was clean bowled by an off cutter. (Out for 13) Max bowled tightly going at 4 RPO with figures of 0-16. The skipper dismissed 2 more batsmen, ending with figures of 3-23. The game was now poised 5-45. Ossie (the oppo opener) started to cut lose after living a charmed life. A few dropped chances, and fully standing on a ball travelling back onto his stumps. He was ready to buy a lottery ticket on the spot. He retired on 34. The trebuchet ‘ Steve B’ came on to see if he could prise out the Ashling batters, but the opposition stood firm playing some agressive shots to keep them in the game. He finished on 1-22 off 3 overs. 

The game was ebbing and flowing with both teams taking any small advantage.

Radar and bursar bowled came back and finished with 1-18 and 1-17 respectively off their full compliment. 

The Ashling team required 7 off the last over. It was up to John Buck Rodgers to finish off. He started off well with a few dot ball and singles. Then a controversial no ball that was judged too high after the batsmen charged down the pitch. 2 balls were left and the ball was despatched to the boundary. A hard fought loss by 4 wickets that went right down to wire. 

There were many moments where the game was won and lost. A few dropped catches, misfields, a few loose balls, but in the end cricket was the winner of the day as we all headed to the Richmond Arms for a quiet drink. 

Man of the match goes to T rex for his great glove work (only 2 byes) and a blitzkreig of boundaries by the wicket keeping batsmen. Well done for his first outing as a keeper. 

Champagne moment. The comradery displayed after the 1st loons loss. 

The final match of the season will be against Chidham at Bosham on Thursday 31st July. Can we end on a winning note for the last game. In a week’s time we will find out. Good luck the mighty Loons.