Sunday 11th September 2022
Whoah! We’re going to Barrybados, Whoah! Back to the island. A ground we love to play at versus Barry West End. Few of the boys got to the island early; Leo and Steve went for a warm up in the nets, Skipper Rob and Chairman Math went to the arcade (proper Committeemen!). Rob won the toss and, post a minute’s silence, Wick CC took the field including debutant Owen but less Amal who was fashionably late.
The West End openers got off to a flying start; whilst Tubsy and Steve wanted tight fielding, they instead got a poor imitation of the absent football, epitomised by Owen who trapped a ball with one foot then volleyed it with his trailing leg for a four that was never on. Unfortunately, Kenny could not bring the Wick magic to the island so it was left to Leo, the man with the bionic arm, to take a respite from slinging in the ball from the boundary and get the breakthrough Wick needed. Math took a wicket before drinks leaving West End on 122-2 at twenty overs.
No doubt Barry has seen it’s fair share of hustlers over the years but no more that Owen “I’ve only bowled one over…ever”, but fresh off the bandits, Rob was up for the gamble. It paid off with Owen getting 3 wickets in his 4 overs – Wick celebrated apart from Kenny who lazed on the boundary ropes uninterested in someone else getting the scalps. The West End boys continued at a good run rate but Wick responded with wickets from Russ and the ball magnet Neal and a fine 3-wicket haul for Amal. A close battle of bat and ball with plenty of good catches left West End 240 for 10 (we played 12-a-side to avoid a selection decision) at the end of their innings.
Dicky and Math got off to a good start reaching the ten over mark for 55 before Dicky (18) got bowled and not long after Math (42) got one of those annoying great shot, great catch combos leaving Colin and Amal at the crease. West End bowling and fielding was tight and restricted Wick to 81 for 2 at the 20 over drinks break.
The Sri Mancan partnership put on 50 before Amal (12) was caught and two quick wickets followed with Rob getting another first ball worldie (great slip catch tbf) and Leo skying one to mid-on. Enter the man on fire, Russ, who quickly snapped the West End boys out of thoughts of the post-match beer and spread and into how to break the new partnership. Colin and Russ started playing some sweet shots, a beautiful cover drive from Colin and a straight down the ground into the lawn bowls green six from the man from Port Elizabeth. The South Afrimanc partnership reached 68 before Colin was bowled for 54 which is his maiden half century for the club and polished off a great season with the bat. Owen (6) joined Russ who kept on pushing for runs and faced a barrage of short bowling in the death overs, but time had run out, and he finished unbeaten on 52 leaving Wick on 214 – 6.
Congratulations to Barry West End for the victory and for the hosting us once more. Great sandwiches back at the club with Poretti winning the beer of choice, Kenny had a Kingstone wild berry cider he found agreeable.
Rob announced he is standing down as skipper at the end of the game. He’s been fundamental in the success of the club reforming and not only leads the team on the field but does a lot of the behind the scenes work to keep the club continuing. So huge thanks to Rob for an epic stint as skipper but like Joe Root, he will still be playing. The club are hopeful to organise an awards evening in the Lamb & Flag some time in November so no doubt we can eulogise about El Capitaine and the highs and lows of another great season.
-Rob Dixon
