Game 2! After a win in the first T20, and riding the wave of success of the Sunday squad, the loon skipper wanted to ensure there was a 100% success rate. A new scorebook, pens, a coin for the toss, and a plan of action, a key to the shed, a 5.00pm set up time…..was he actually ready? The sun wasn’t shining, Tams Tarps failed to make an appearance on the Tuesday after a deluge of rain. The pitch appeared to have a spongy, tennis ball bounce, after touching the surface. The skipper was in a quandary whether to continue with a winning formula or attempt to bowl first. It was left to the hands of the gods to determine the outcome. After a limp toss of the 2p coin, the opposition decided to bat. 

The Loons took to the field with JC running late. (Missing the 1st over) Willy Mac took the river end with an aggressive opening batting pair. Radar took the pavilion end. (An end he has rarely had the privilege of bowling from). Rory (the oppo skipper) blazed away with big sixes and chidham were teeing off, going at 7.4 RPO after 5 overs. 

However radar struck with early wickets and stemmed the flow. Elated celebrations from Ian R, after years of being hit to the boundary by the Chidham Team. He ended with Fabulous figures of 3-22 off 4 overs. (All hitting the stumps.) The metronomic wonder continues to perform at his peak. Rory had retired and the captain brought himself on. Was this a tactical play? Avoidance of the aggressive batsmen at the top? Or faith in Willy Mac? I’ll let you decide. At first it didn’t seem a good choice, as he was despatched to the boundary. However a catch square of the wicket by Will and a clean bowled, changed the Loons fortunes. It was time for the slayer as he calmly asked ‘Are there any youngsters in the team?’ Unfortunately not, however this did not affect his accurate bowling, as he only went for 8 runs and no boundaries of his 3 overs. Tam Van Tran from Vietnam chipped away with 2 more wickets. A stunning catch at square by Will Mac and another batsman bowled. That was the end of his spell 4-20. The team requesting for him to continue as a hattrick would be the next ball. An impossible task as there were no more balls left in his spell. Next to the fore was Chrissy Mac to mop up the tail. He just needed 1 over to get two wickets, both caught in the outfield. That left only 1 wicket to topple the oppo and the dangerous Rory to come back into the game. Murmurings from the leadership group asked for a bowling debut from the 6 foot 6 giant, Andy ‘whispering death’ Richardson. He did not disappoint bowling with seam and swing clearing up the last batsmen for 0 runs. Another person bowled. A wicket maiden on his bowling debut. Chidham were skittled for 74. Maybe it was a good toss to lose?

A new opening pair, which was carefully devised by the lavant think tank (Murray and Tran) A positive start was required to get the ball rolling. Chris clattered the boundary with Joe running hard, but was caught trying to be even more aggressive than he usually is. Out for solid 10. Super Steve was in at 3 (after being used as a non playing bowler and batter the previous game). Chris holed out for a high score of 23. In came TVT at number 4. Steve was bamboozled by one that turned and stayed low. After an amazing 30+ score on the Sunday, Andy was dismissed. A few quick wickets and it was starting get a bit ‘ squeaky bum’ time. Tran decided to knuckle down and leave a few, much to the disgust of our premier batsmen Justin, who was umpiring the whole innings. A couple of boundaries to the off side turned the frown, upside down. Will ‘The Finisher’ Thomas also was not there to muck around, dispatching the ball to the boundary for four. A sublime 6 into the trees to finish in style. A win by 6 wickets and 7 overs to spare. Another comprehensive win, bowling 2nd. A team effort, where the sum of the parts breeds success. 

Behind the scenes there are players who I cannot thank enough. Selfless members who give up their opportunities, so the team can succeed. 

Champagne moment: Wills catch square of the wicket (and had reason to purposely drop it)

Cava moment: Andy’s 1st Lavant wicket. 

Unsung hero: Iain (spelt correctly) wicket keeping skills. 

Loon of the Day: The Whole Team

Off we trudge to battle with our old foes Walberton. The Lavant Train rides on.