Match Report

With a frustrating stop / start nature to Lavant’s season so far there was a renewed hope within the team that this weekend’s fixture was going ahead. You could tell that the team were itching for a game with the majority of them arriving early at Ebernoe’s ground (and before the opposition) raring to go.

With the weather set fair (and surprisingly warm when stood in the middle) the Lavant skipper could be seen pacing around torn with what to do at the toss, seeing pros and cons for both options. It wasn’t an easy choice and he was in that strange position that sometimes happens with a captain hoping to lose the toss.

Ruing the winter tossing training camp the Lavant skipper won the toss and with the hot conditions and the promise of a new ball for each team elected to bat first. 

This was the first week where the team was not blessed with a stock of opening batters so the Lavant skipper decided (for the first time this season) to lead from the front and join Justin to open the batting and hopefully face down the Ebernoe bowlers.

GAME ON!

With one of the Ebernoe bowlers offering a couple of loose deliveries it didn’t take long for the opening pair to get going however the looseners soon evaporated and the Ebernoe bowlers both started to get into their rhythm offering nothing. Landing the ball time and time again in challenging areas it became a real battle of wills but Justin and the Lavant captain remained steadfast, patient, and disciplined not afraid to offer a solid block as an answer to the probing bowling. They knew the plan. Get through the opening bowlers and look to set a platform for the rest of the team. 

This was a different type of game from previous week’s fast scoring affairs which was shown by the 10th over with 33 on the scoreboard. 

With no let up from the first change bowlers the Lavant openers knew they had to start to find a way to score and keep the run rate steady and both men started to unleash some lovely shots through the covers and straight down the ground. 

Finally the pressure started to be put back on the Ebenore bowling and forced errors with looser deliveries being offered which were pounced on at every opportunity allowing for a 50 opening partnership to be achieved in the 15th over. 

By the time drinks were taken both men looked comfortable and solid and continued their opening stand until the 20th over when the Lavant skipper (looking to play a booming drive) misjudged the length and was bowled for 32 with the score on 83.

With the platform set responsibility was now passed to Andy, walking to the middle with a clear path in his mind as to what was required and he didn’t hang around. With the Ebernoe field starting to spread Andy was tireless with his running, using his long legs to gobble up the ground to find 1’s and 2’s which must have started to feel like death by a thousand cuts to the opposition! 

This allowed Justin to start going through the gears and he climbed into the Ebernoe change bowler, sending the ball to the boundary bush multiple times in one over which took him past 50 (the first of the season). Sensing this was the time to go hard (and with lots of batting in the hutch) Justin selflessly moved into T20 mode but (after blasting away two more 4’s) missed a delivery and was out caught for 64, but should be proud of his efforts with the bat standing up against a strong bowling attack, hanging in when needed and scoring when the opportunity came. Well batted Justin! 

With 126 on the scoreboard in the 25th over you couldn’t have asked for a better option walking in next but ‘Super’ Steve Brooker. On a ground where it was hard to get the ball away it was a perfect situation for two of the better runners in the side to be out in the middle together. What came next was 9 overs of imperious batting. 

You could sense the confidence growing in Andy and every connection with bat on ball sounded sweeter and sweeter. With the Ebernoe fielders scrambling around the boundary Andy hit the gaps and took off putting immense pressure on the ground feilding. 

Similarly at the other end ‘Super’ Steve (oozing with class) put on a masterclass of batting finding gaps with ease and was a very willing runner with Andy. 

The effort from both men to run as much as they did in the warm temperatures was amazing to watch and every run was applauded and cheered on by their team mates. 

Andy and Steve took the team score to 187 in the 34 over and the ever selfless Andy looked to charge the bowler to go big (or maybe he was just sick of running so much) but missed the ball and was out stumped for a brilliant knock for 41. As he walked off the appreciation shown for the much liked team man was apparent. Blowing hard and red faced, Andy was met with applause, hugs and appreciation from his team mates. A brilliant knock, well done Andy! 

With not many balls left in the game Lloyd walked to the middle, very aware of his responsibility as a middle order player and showed great intent from ball one, throwing the bat to get as many runs as possible. Lloyd was able to assist Steve in the final throes of the game by picking up vital runs and finishing 2 not out.

Steve carried his bat for an amazing knock of 45 and had put his team in a very decent position with 197 on the scoreboard which appeared competitive. 

With the team retreating to the changing room to remove sweaty clothes and tuck into the rather fabulous tea, the Lavant skipper felt it would be a tough second half of the game and hoped that the bowlers would keep the game under control. 

New clothes were changed into. Scones were devoured. Plenty of lucozade and water drunk. Lavant took to the field ready for the challenge ahead of them.

Trusted with the new ball Will ‘T-Rex’ opened the bowling for Lavant looking to start strong and this week disappointed everyone by not picking up a wicket in his first over….we had to wait until his second over for him to clean bowl the Ebernoe #2 batter! Break-through and dino-licious!! After fizzing down ball after ball Will bowled with control with the new ball. Knowing how crucial his overs would be later Will came out of the attack saved for better hunting later. 

With the Lavant overseas Belgium action hero struggling the last couple of weeks with ankle issues, initially the plan was for him to only bowl if needed…but cometh the hour cometh the man and ‘Jean Claude Van Tran’ put his hand up. The ever dependable team man (clearly struggling to walk) looked more like a rigor mortis mummy than the premier opening bowler we are all used to for his first couple of overs. However, with the Lavant captain fretting, Tam stuck with it and suddenly things started to improve. Rhythm started to be felt and like a bowling caterpillar breaking out of his chrysalis emerged the bowler we all know and love. 

The only negative was the ball was lost in the second over into the thick bushes and couldn’t be found…..so much for making use of a new ball!! The Lavant skipper could be heard mumbling something about ‘bloody bowlers….the new ball was pointess…always bat first’! 

With the best two Ebernoe batters now in the middle Tam offered little in a simply brilliant spell of bowling completing every over with a nod to his skipper and the simple words of ‘one more’. What was going to be 3 or 4 over max for Tam turned into a 7 over spell finishing with amazing figures of 0 – 26. Tam really should have had a wicket for his effort but regardless had delivered when needed. Great job Tambo! 

At the other end Chris ‘Big Pig’ P came into the attack for his first run out of the season for the weekend team. Bowling at a critical point of the game (with the two set batters looking to keep up with the run rate) Chris was excellent in his lines forcing the batters to play risky shots. It wasn’t until his 5th over that the pressure he had built led the batters to try and force the pace more before being taken out of the attack finishing 0 for 33 from his 5 overs keeping his side in the game. 

Next on was Peter ‘The Professor’ to continue the good work of his team mates. With the run rate climbing Peter knew his spell would be crucial to the game. Bowling with academic levels of intelligence Peter wheeled away at the Ebernoe batters frustrating them time and time again and was unlucky with beating the bat on the inside and outside. You could feel the pressure and frustration ramping up but Peter held his nerve and stuck to the plan containing the two high quality Ebernoe batters. Peter completed his 6 over spell finishing with 0 for 34 but like Tam and Chris deserved high praise containing the opposition.

Replacing Chris there could only be one option. ‘Super’ Steve was asked to wheel out the trebuchet for the first time this season and lay siege to the batters. After a slightly rusty start (and not a sparkly glove in sight) Steve blew the game wide open by picking up the dangerous Ebernoe #3 with a strangle down the leg side into the keeper’s gloves. Huge celebrations from the team were then met with another wicket in the same over catching the #4 plum LBW for a golden duck.

With Steve’s confidence growing he rattled off 5 more overs of simply outstanding bowling, slinging down the heavy rock (I mean ball) towards the Ebernoe batters. Completing his 7 over spell with 2 for 32. Great work Steve! 

With the game moving into the business end Ebernoe still retained their opening batsmen (who was on for a big score) and their captain who had come out and steadyed the ship and was looking to flick everything to the leg side.

The team turned back to T-Rex hoping the mighty predator could carry the team home. T-Rex is another crucial member of the Lavant side. A very willing team man who is always happy to do whatever is asked of him from the captain and brings high levels of energy to the side. His first two overs were expensive allowing the Ebernoe batters to cut loose and suddenly the fear started to spread through the team. For once the team needed to help pick up Will and lift him in his hour of need. The reaction was simply breathtaking with Will getting back his rhythm and firing down better deliveries that forced the #5 into trying to heave a ball to the long boundary where Andy was stationed. With the ball sailing far and high the giant Andy pouched an amazing catch!

With one end now open Will shifted into full carnivore and blasted through the #7’s defences to clean bowl them and was too quick for for the #9 who dragged his back leg out of the crease to allow for a stumping. 

Death bowling is a tough ask but ‘T-Rex’ stood up when needed finishing his 7 overs 44 for 4.

At the other end Justin was tasked with closing out the game and, like Will, is ever ready to do what is needed for the team. With the Ebernoe #1 refusing runs at one end in an attempt to nurse the tail and stay on strike Justin had to face up to the oncoming onslaught. Justin first two overs were spot on giving nothing easy to hit and forcing a run out with Ebernoe sacrificing the #8 in a desperate attempt to get the #1 batter back on strike. 

Now at this point I would like to take a moment to special mention to not only the fielding as a whole but also to those who didn’t get to bat or bowl. The attitude and standard shown by Jim, Willem (playing his first weekend game for the club) and Lloyd was nothing short of exceptional to give maximum effort and help out the side all afternoon. Full credit for those guys for their crucial contribution to the side.

Also the overall standard in the field was top drawer and a big thanks to everyone.

In the final over of the game the onslaught came but Justin held his nerve only allowing a single boundary to come. With 11 scored off the final over they finished 7 runs short of the total giving Lavant a simply tremendous win. In such a tight game it proves that EVERY run counts.

The most pleasing part of the game was win or lose we would have done it as a team. It was a team effort to score the runs. It was a team effort with the bowling (using 6 bowlers to close out the game) and a massive team effort in the field. I’m proud that Lavant CC is a sum of all its parts and not overly reliant on one or two players, and hope this continues to be the case in the days ahead.

A massive well done to everyone who contributed to such a terrific win.

And I didn’t even mention the drop catches. Oh.

On to the next!

Man of the match

There were so many stand out performances but the one that sticks out the most is Steve B. With the bat he walked to the crease and formed an important partnership with Andy to build on the platform set by the openers and carry us to a defendable total. In games like this every run counts….and most of them it felt like he did seem to actually run! Then came the bowling which was breathtaking. Having not bowled all season to not only keep his overs tight but (most crucial of all) pick up the critical wicket of the #3 batter swung the game back in our favour when it looked to be slipping away. We call him ‘Super’ for a reason you know. Great job Steve.

Champagne moment

As above there were many moments to note (mainly in the field) but the stand out goes to Andy for the catch on the boundary to pick up another crucial wicket of the opposition captain who was scoring freely. By all accounts it was a big hit (sailing high and far) and looked to be a 6 until the giant frame of Andy saw the ball, tracked the flight and took the catch right on the boundary edge. If that already wasn’t good enough the corner he was stationed (at wide long on) is on a steep incline so once he had managed to take the catch he had the calmness to keep his balance and not fall / stumble back into the boundary bush. Taking this wicket not only stopped the flow of runs but finally opened up an end to attack. 

Well done Andy.