Sunday 1st June
If you believed the 90s urban legend every Wick school kid going to Brynteg was told – Newbridge Fields was where you had to fight the Bryntirion hoards every lunch time. Sunday’s scenes were expected to be far more tranquil – a rare village cricket away trip, would the team travel well? Would this geographical change aid Amal’s arrival time?
Wick were short of numbers meaning Tubsy had to step in post a three-day Peppa Pig World bender and Sol, stepson of Chris, joined us for his Wick debut. Chris did his standing no good pre-match by asking Kenny why he wasn’t in the Young Farmers – “I’m 38 butt” was the straightforward riposte. 1pm meet, at 1.15pm 9 players had rocked up, the team was confused as Gutsy wasn’t playing – remarkably Russ strolled in apologetically and reeled off a bunch of excuses including regripping his bat, unremarkably and without the need for explanation, Amal strolled in after him. Normal business was resumed, and Wick were fielding first. To make Wick feel at home, it was windy.
Bridgend CC - 208 all out (39.3): V.Wilson 49, Steve Collins 5-17, Russ Milne 2-30
Wick CC - 77 for 1 (19.3): Rob Dixon 28, Steve Collins 27*
Bridgend started strongly despite the good opening bowling of Tubsy and Amal and the opening pair got to 48 after 10 overs. Russ needed King Kenny but he brought Kenny on at the wrong end (see post-match analysis) so needed a switcheroo of ends and the bamboozler was back – Kenny made the important breakthrough and he was in the game with a wicket. The other opener was next on his way when he drove a Russ (who was flirting with leg spin) ball straight to Kenny who caught the ball like it was a comedy hot potato that settled in his hands on the fourth juggle, unfortunately that was the last time the ball stuck for the Ring Ding and he shelled at least 4 more including two for Simon and one denying young Sol his first Wick wicket.
Russ got another wicket and Bridgend were 115-3 at 20 overs.
Steve enters the game.
Steve’s first over and the ball is flying at Amal who cut the pose of a man that didn’t see the ball until it hit him, thankfully in the hands, and it looped upwards for him to catch it second time around.
Paul enters the game.
There’s no such thing as a dead cert in sports betting but if you can get a price on there being a run out when Paul is batting , by crikey it would be worth remortgaging to take that bet. Wick needed wickets and Paul delivered, two tricky Bridgend batsmen were dismissed via run-out. Tubsy came back on and got Paul caught and bowled.
Wick then witnessed the bowling performance of the season so far by Steve by completing a “fifer” (5 wickets) and all good dismissals, two bowled and a catch each for Russ and third choice keeper Dicky – Steve has set the bar high for the rest of the season. Wick bowled Bridgend out for 208.
Good ol’ fashioned cup of tea at the tea break. Simon also stunned us with the news you don’t get beige party snacks in the USA, madness – Wick innings next.
Dicky and Steve opened the batting and built a good start with a 50 partnership. Dicky hit three boundaries in a row then… on the sidelines Russ predicted it, Chris agreed with him, Jeff jinxed it and on the field umpiring, Tubs and Amal saw it coming – Yes, Dickies eyes were alive with the sound of boundaries, and he kept on swinging even when ball four was a good ball. Wick were 56-1.
Russ came in number three and him, and Steve guided Wick to 77 at 19 overs before one of the Bridgend team had a medical emergency and the game was suspended and eventually called off. Thankfully, he is home and recovering well, well done to those who helped with the situation.
Sneaked a pint after the game where Russ awarded Steve the man-of-the-match and asked Kenny if he concurred…of course he didn’t, questioned whether Steve’s wickets were legit if the game was not finished and lambasted Russ for bowling him from the wrong end!
The next game isn’t for a few weeks as a touring team has cancelled on us. Thanks to Wayne and the guys for the game and look forward to the return fixture later in the season.
– Rob Dixon
