Sunday 13th July
After a three-week hiatus from Sunday cricket and still reeling from a midweek defeat against Colwinston, Wick were looking to get back to winning ways against a youthful and competitive Lisvane side.
As part of the ‘Wick CC: Village Cricket for the T20 Generation, a pathway to growth’ strategy, an effort has been made to recruit players from younger demographics and this has paid dividends. Alongside welcoming Ben a few weeks ago, Wick were very pleased to give debuts to John (21) and Matt (34) on the hallowed green. Not only as it meant less running for the more mature players, but it also put a healthy dent into the average age of the team.
Wick CC - 226 for 6 (40.0): Russ Milne 100*, Owen Thomas 32, Andy Ellis 27
Lisvane CC - 177 all out (33.0): Gareth Dixon 4-30, Steve Collins 2-27, Simon Stratten 2-30
SCORECARD
In sweltering conditions, captain Russ won the toss and wick were batting. Despite his golden duck against Cardiff Casuals being fresh in the memory, Captain Russ decided to once again show faith in Owen and had him open alongside Steve (Captain Russ is insistent Dicky being absent had nothing to do with the decision).
Both got off to a steady start against some good Lisvane bowling, picking up the odd run whilst fielding errors ensured that the extras column kept the Wick score ticking over. Steve was first to fall, unfortunate to get out to some good spin bowling. This brought Andy to the crease, resplendent in his red bucket had, his own tribute to the recent Oasis gigs in Cardiff.
Andy, in no mood to hang about decided to Roll With It and get his bat swinging. Some might say he was feeling a bit stiff having played the previous day, but with a few full tosses dispatched the boundary, he was in no mood to Acquiesce. It wouldn’t be Wick without a few sketchy moments and with Owen calling a quick single he nearly ran himself out. Was there a run? Definitely, Maybe. But he survived and they both kept the scoreboard moving. A change of bowler by Lisvane brought the next wicket, with Andy being bowled by a fantastic delivery that nipped back in and took his stumps. Don’t Look Back in Anger, Andy, it was a jaffer.
Next in was Russell, which immediately had Owen on edge as Russell has higher expectations than the rest of the Wick side. Russell in classic Russell fashion took his time to get in, have a look at the bowling and then started hitting the ball to all corners of the green. Owen, on the other hand was doing his best to hang on as Lisvane brought on a new bowler who was sending down some quick deliveries that he had no idea how to play. It didn’t take long for the next wicket to fall as Owen departed for 32 after 22 overs.
This meant Matt was having a bat. Having not played since he and Owen led Abercarn 2s’ division 12 ‘great escape’ at the end of last season, no one was sure what this unknown quantity had in store for us. After a few wild swipes at fresh air, he soon found his range. Contributing a valuable 18 to a 77-run partnership with Russell before playing around a straight one and being bowled. Russell, supported by Simon, reached his first 100 of the season before retiring. Simon, not to be outshone and having his first proper bat for quite a while played some majestic shots, including a couple of fantastic ramp shots over the keeper’s head, reaching 18 before getting out.
It was then left to John and Chris to face the last over or so, with Chris finishing on an average boosting 1 not out and John, in an admirable show of enthusiasm ran himself out on the last ball for 2. Wick set a formidable total of 226 but Neal was sure it’d be at least double if he’d had a bat.
The Skipper asked trusted pair Simon and Gutsy to open the bowling. Gutsy opened with four tight overs, keeping scoring to a minimum but without much reward. Simon on the other hand looked to bring the same gung-ho approach to his bowling as he has deployed with the bat. Interspersing a good amount of over head height no-balls with the wickets of the two openers. One clean bowled and the other caught behind by Owen. Simon’s rhythm and concentration was no doubt helped by the sound of Kenny making bird noises each time the ball sailed over the batters head but this is Wick and as the old saying goes, Wick takes wickets.
This was swiftly followed by a baffling run out. With Owen missing a regulation stop behind the stumps the Lisvane batters ran through for one. As canon arm Matt threw the ball in from the boundary, the Lisvane batter seemed to think there was another run on offer. There wasn’t, and thankfully Simon was the only one awake enough to pick up the ball and whip off the bails. Three down.
Russ then brought himself and Kenny on with Kenny taking a customary Kenny wicket to leave Lisvane listing and Wick with their tails up. John, bowling his first overs for Wick managed to keep the big hitters quiet and was unlucky not to pick up a wicket in his four overs.
Some good work in the field, especially from Neal who became more and more of a ball magnet as the game went on ensured that Lisvane were having to work hard to get their runs.
With the Lisvane batters at the crease making a decent dent into the Wick total, captain Russ turned back to Gutsy to try and make the breakthrough and get the boys back on top.
Gutsy who had done an awful job of applying sun cream to his legs and was getting redder by the second realised he needed to do something drastic to move the main talking point of the match away from his rouged pins. And he did just that.
First, he took the wicket of the Lisvane danger man, forcing a shot into the air which was spectacularly caught diving and over his shoulder by the captain dismissed for 37. 1 wicket.
Next LBW. Plumb. Given. 2 Wickets.
Third bowled Gutsy, caught Stevie. 3 wickets.
Fourth. First ball. Bowled. 4 wickets.
Hat trick ball. Not meant to be but a fantastic second spell by Gutsy, ripping through the Lisvane order left them 8 down but with two good batters at the crease there was still work to be done.
Up stepped Steve who emphasised why he’s become the Wick specialist bowling at the tail. After finding his line it didn’t take him long to take the wicket of the last settled batter, bowling him for 27. As the last batter came to the crease our opposition were left needing 49 runs with 1 wicket remaining. Thankfully it only took one more ball as the new batter feathered one behind into the keepers’ gloves and the game was over.
A fantastic game of cricket played in some tough conditions with both teams acknowledging a competitive game of cricket played in the right spirits. Thanks to Lisvane for the match and thanks as always to The Star Inn, Wick for looking after the weary Wick warriors post-game.
Next up for Wick is Vale U-17’s on Sunday 20th of July. Can youth beat experience? We’ll find out then.
– Owen Thomas
