Sunday 14th July 2024
Wick welcomed a Lisvane select eleven to the village green for what turned out to be young and chirpy versus old and grizzly; you don’t need to be an avid follower of Wick to guess who was who.
Thanks to Kenny, Frasier, Guv for the wicket prep and to our match sponsor Davis & Madden Insurance Agency.
Swanky new kit arrived as well thanks to Chris and CGI.
Lisvane CC - 229 for 6 (40.0): Tahir 51*, Simon Stratten 2-19, Kenny Thomas 1-13
Wick CC - 206 for 6 (40.0): Russ Milne 66, Rob Dixon 43, Steve Collins 32
Gutsy had to give Dicky a lift in for the match so had the indignity of being on time and gifted the tardy cup to Amal who arrived at 12:29 ready for a 12:30 start.
Wick bowled first and skipper Russ went with the classic left right combo of Gutsy and Owzio. Russ took a great catch at deep point off Gutsy’s bowling and Lisvane were 47-1 off 10 overs.
The battle of bat and ball continued up until the drinks break and Lisvane got to 81-2.
This season has seen a great battle for another accolade; the Teflon trophy for the most dropped catches and Iestyn and Guts have both had cracking seasons. But not today. The budgie smuggled one was going net zero, catching neutral – yes not just one catch, nor two but remarkably a catch-trick from Iestyn. Scenes, limbs, disbelief! What would his rival do, well he’s not one for catching change and our very own Greta Fumbleburg spilled a catch over the boundary for a six – Gutsy may have given up the Tardy Trophy but the Teflon Trophy is safely in his grip.
Lisvane ramped up the run rate in the second half of the innings and hit some epic sixes and two of their player retired at 50. Some resilient bowling from Neal and Ian, two great wickets for Simon and you’ve guessed it, a key wicket from the Vale of Glamorgan’s cricketing gun for hire, King Kenny. With Lisvane batsmen playing far to well Wick showed them some proper village cricket with a Benny Hill esq skit from Dicky missing an unmissable run out. Lisvane smashed their way to 229 off the 40 overs.
Owzio and Steve opened the Wick innings hoping to recreate their successful partnership from the previous game. Unfortunately for Ow, he got Bairstowed/stumped early on, quicky followed by Iestyn. Enter Russ and he and Steve steadied the ship getting Wick to 78-2 at the 20 over drinks break.
Now Steve’s a great guitarist and it turns out a wonderful second fiddle as he and Russ put on a hundred partnership. Russ’ great form with the bat continued and he got another fifty before he was bowled for 66, followed by Steve for 32. This left Wick at 139-4 off 32 overs leaving 90 runs from the last 8 overs. The Dixon bros were at the crease, they had been a bit Barry and Paul in the field, could they channel Phil and Grant with the bat. Well despite the constant reminder from the Lisvane fielders that they both only had one shot, that one shot produced 65 runs from 7 overs. Wick needed 26 runs in the last over.
Unfortunately, like Bros, the hits ran out and both brothers were out in the last over meaning Kenny had to put his top back on and his third can of cider down and saunter out for a swing and a miss. Wick finished 205-6, congratulations to Lisvane on the win. Talented group of young players who, remarkably, appeal more than Kenny. Thanks to Colin for umpiring a whole 80 overs, really helped. He got surrounded better by Lisvane players than Trump did by the secret service in Pennsylvania.
Post match beer at the Star Inn, where we were treated to some awesome chips and sarnies, thanks to Emily and the crew. Watched the first half of the footie, commiserations to the English contingent of the Wick fraternity.
Hasta la vista, baby.
-Rob Dixon
