Match Report

With the mighty Lavant keeping a close eye on every weather report and radar they could cast their eyes on, the club Whatsapp was full of chat putting their faith into the ‘Groundosaurus Rex’ and a very early run out for TamsTarps ™ !

Thankfully (in classic British manner) the forecast of biblical weather wasn’t quite correct and the team arrived on the ground to be greeted by a warm spring day! 

With many keen players from both sides already at the ground the Lavant skipper took no time in seeking out the opposition captain (this week we welcomed Westbourne to the village). As now is becoming tradition of having to explain the rules around the trees, finally the coin went up and the Lavant skipper lost. As the curses rang around the village (and looking for a refund from the winter tossing camp) Westbourne opted to bowl first. 

Trudging back the universal cricketing signal was given to his troops (waving an arm in a batting manner) and the Lavant skipper organised his batting line up. 

With Westbourne looking young, hungry and with a deep stock of bowlers, the batting plan was adjusted from the previous weeks gung ho attitude and returned to a more sensible approach of being watchful, seeing off the opening bowlers, and posting a decent total to defend.

There weren’t two better people in the ranks than Justin and Will MC to get out to the middle and face down the new ball bowlers. With it being early spring the conditions were as expected (the ball keeping low with a bit of grip off the surface) which required Will and Justin to dig in and show their class, keeping at bay the Westbourne attack who were relentless in their lines and lengths.

With scoring at a premium and many an enthusiastic appeal coming it was a tense opening to the game and a well fought contest, however the two opening batters did their jobs superbly guiding their team to the 10 overs mark with 50 runs on the board and (more crucially) not losing a wicket.

Even the 1st change bowlers for Westbourne got into their work quickly and offered very little respite for the two Lavant men, but both Justin and Will held firm and when an opportunity came to score they didn’t miss out, refusing to allow the bowlers to have it all their own way.

It was a masterclass of opening batting when facing a decent bowling attack and by the time drinks were taken both men had moved the team into a strong position by holding firm and scoring 72.

Unfortunately the curse of the drinks break struck with Justin (selflessly trying to move through the gears) who was out caught and bowled for a very respectful 36.

Next in was Stuart ‘Stewie’ Smith and after a quick chat with the Lavant skipper strode to the middle with a clear plan in mind. Now obviously having a plan in mind is one thing but being able to execute it is another…..

….but my word what a job Stuart did! Getting stuck into his work early he was able to climb into the Westbourne bowlers and start pinging the ball to the boundary. The momentum of the game started to shift and all of a sudden the pressure was starting to swing back onto the Westbourne bowlers. 

Will MC was also able to cut loose and be rewarded for all his hard efforts manoeuvring the side into such a strong position, and was able to register his first 50 of the season (well done Will)!

With 10 overs to go both men were pushing hard and the scoreboard was racing but, with 119 on the board, Will miscued a shot and was out caught.

With a slight change in plan to the batting (and the Lavant skipper wanting to unleash his power house middle order) next in was Chris ‘John’ Maclean. With his new blade under his arm the club’s action hero looked to get stuck in early and was able to blast a 4 away, but was through the shot too early and was out caught for 6.

Next in was Will ‘T-rex’ but he was clean bowled for 0. 

Stuart (continuing to score freely) remained steadfast at one end and heaved many a big shot to the fence, but was out caught and bowled agonisingly short of a much deserved 50 (Stu was out for 46).

Suddenly the plan of accelerating the score looked like it needed ripping up! The ever dependable ‘Super’ was deployed and he was able to steady the ship with his customary finding gaps, hard running, and keeping the score ticking over, but he could only do so much and was out caught for 13.

The resident Lumberjack (Lloyd) took to the middle next and was able to blast away a boundary before being bowled out for 5.

In the 32nd over and 168 on the board there was a real danger of the home side being bowled out. With a flurry of pads and gloves being scrambled from cricket bags Tam and the Lavant skipper found themselves at the crease.

Looking to remain solid and at least get to the final over, both did what was required for the team by holding off the now buoyed Westbourne bowlers and then counter attack. Looking like a couple of geriatrics running in treacle somehow singles and twos were scored. Getting to the final over the Lavant skipper looked to go big, but mistimed a slower ball and scooped it up to a fielder being out caught for 8.

Keir was next in and he and Tam were both able to smoke a boundary each and doing a great job for the team before Keir was out bowled.

With some selfless batting the rearguard action of the lower order were able to take the Lavant total to a very decent 188 for 8.

Tea was taken and Will MC laid out his decent spread including a watermelon….ooo fancy! Once the eating had concluded, clothes were changed, tape and joints strapping was applied, and the Lavant players took to the field once more quietly confident in their total but recognising the threat of the Westbourne batting order.

First up the Lavant skipper turned to his ever dependable ‘overseas’ Jean Claude Van Tran who got into his work quickly. Looking in great rhythm Tam gave away nothing and showed why he was the leader of the attack for Lavant setting the standard for the others to follow by bowling 4 overs on the bounce for only 4 runs!! 

At the other end Keir followed Tam’s example putting the ball in the right areas but, crucially, was also able to pick up a wicket in his first over (clean bowling the #1)!

Keir continued his good work and in his 3rd over trapped the Westbourne #3 LBW bringing an amazing celebration of a spinning first pump that looked like some sort of signature move from Street Fighter 2! 

After such a solid start being provided by the Lavant opening bowlers (and Westbourne looking to rebuild and counter attack) the Lavant skipper looked to hold back some overs from his opening bowlers and shuffled his pack, bringing on Mark ‘Mr Chairman’ and Will ‘T-Rex’ tasking both men with continuing the solid start.

‘Mr Chairman’, deploying his craft from the winter nets, got into the swing of things quickly by bowling to his field and not allowing any boundaries to be found. Backed up by some solid work in the field, Mark was able to frustrate the batters who just couldn’t cut loose and keep the run rate in check. It was a solid (and crucial contribution) for his first outing of the season finishing his 4 over spell 0 for 22.

At the other end Will T was also able to carry on the momentum and continue to build up pressure. Firing the ball down and hitting the keeper’s gloves hard, Will was able to extract zip and bounce from the old ball off the surface and made the crucial break through of clean bowling the set Westbourne #4! Completing a wicket maiden the Lavant skipper clearly thought he was too good and took him out of the attack! T-Rex finished his 4 over spell 1 for 10.

Drinks were taken at the 17th over mark and Westbourne (who were 60 for 2) seemed way behind the required rate with a lot to do. Expecting an onslaught soon the Lavant skipper turned to Will ‘The Master’ MC and Stuart ‘Stewie’ Smith to stand up to the oncoming storm.

With both bowlers dovetailing perfectly they didn’t allow the Westbourne batters any relief. The bowling was relentless with both men landing the ball in the right areas time and time again. 

As the overs ticked by (and the scoreboard still not going anywhere) something had to give! Will (capitalising on the pressure being applied by ‘Stewie’ at the other end) picked up the prized wicket of the #5 who squeezed the ball onto his boot and popped it up to be caught by Steve.

Next Will, after continuingly trapping #6 in his crease, pinned the #6 LBW. In his final over (and Westbourne looking to push) Will picked up his 3rd wicket of his spell claiming the wicket of the #7 (caught smartly by Chris). Will completed his 7 over spell finishing with 3 for 23.

At the other end Stuart continued his devastating partnership with Will providing nothing for the Westbourne players and on another day could have easily picked up a haul of wickets, but bowling is about partnerships and Will certainly benefitted from Stuart’s work. 

Thankfully Stuart was rewarded for his efforts picking up the wicket of the #3 batter who had stuck around limpet like for most of the game, but the frustration of not being able to score led to the #3 holing out in the deep (taken by the safe hands of Justin). 

Stuart completed his 6 over spell 1 for 23. A brilliant effort from the pair.

With the game moving into the final stages the Lavant skipper returned to his opening bowlers looking to close out the game. Keir came back into the attack and took a bit of tap from the Westbourne batters (who were frantically trying to catch up) but finished well and should be very pleased with his first outing this season. Keir finished his 6 over spell 2 for 34.

At the other end Tam also wasn’t getting it all his own way with the opposition batters throwing caution into the wind. Thankfully the club’s T20 skipper is experienced enough to know what to do when batters are coming hard and held his nerve, and was able to (deservedly) pick up a wicket clean bowling the #9. Tam finished his 7 over spell 1 for 27. Top bowling Jean Claude.

With the game coming to a conclusion the ball was thrown to Chirs ‘John’ Mclean who was looking to deploy his new ‘re-modelled’ action. After an understandably bumpy start Chris got into his work and provided a preview of what could potentially be a decent left arm option for the future. Chris completed his 1 over for 13.

With the game drawing to a conclusion the 35th over was bowled and Westbourne finished 150 for 8 and 38 runs short of the required total giving Lavant a very decent home win! 

The impressive batting and bowling aside it has to be said the standard in the field was brilliant and must be mentioned. So many examples of people putting bodies on the line, from Mark S throwing himself around to block off runs, to Stu almost doing himself a mischief sliding on the turf, however a special mention must go to Chris and Lloyd. Chris seemed to have a ball magnet for most of the game but was like a wall and stopped everything that came near him (I think his limbs were a little tender at the pub after) and also Lloyd whose ground fielding was top drawer (even for him). Unbelievably Lloyd almost topped his ‘best catch ever seen at Lavant’ from last season with a diving one-handed catch on the boundary but couldn’t quite haul it in. 

It was great to see this effort from everyone! Well done and onto the next!

Man of the match

I’ve gone back and forth on this one and honestly I just can’t separate them, so this week the MOM is shared by Will MC and Stuart for their crucial contributions with the bat and then bowling in tandem to squeeze the life out of the Westbourne batting line up. Superb performance from both men, well done Will and Stuart!

Champagne Moment 

This has to go to Keir and his celebration! Keir, still being relatively new to the club, was understandably a little nervous to get going and the joy / relief from that celebration would warm anyone’s heart.  It was so good I think most of us forgot how he got the wicket!! I can see this starting to catch on.