26th April 2015
On another most
un-April-like day, BBLCC won a game in which they were always coming second
until Man-of-the-match Rod Layton produced a spell that stunned the home side.
Dales won the toss and
inserted BBLCC on a pitch that was unusually hard and relatively true for the
time of year. Nevertheless, the new ball moved around a bit and three of the
top order contrived to miss straight ones from an opening attack that spanned
several generations. But Powell set about hitting anything in his half to all
parts, usually aerially to avoid the heavy covering of mown grass on the
outfield. One big six landed on the roof of the B&Q store next door.
Presumably if there is damage they can do it themselves.
Bob Bower contributed a
few beefy hits but it needed some captain’s resolve from Saunders before
anybody stayed to support Powell. When Powell edged behind he had amassed 58
from 53 balls. The skipper was stumped in the last over for a well-crafted 27
and the visitors finished on a slightly below par 179.
Dales, with another
pairing spanning over 40 years, set off at a canter despite some accurate stuff
from Stan Barnett and after 12 overs of the allotted 40 were 74 without loss.
The Captain then brought himself on and soon dismissed the veteran Osborne with
a brilliant diving catch off his own bowling. But even when Powell removed the
young Langland brothers with offcutters Dales didn’t seem to be in much trouble
with several experienced cricketers to come and plenty of time.
Even when Humber’s lack of
pace was too much for a couple of them Dales still needed just 20 runs off the
last nine overs with four wickets in hand. Then came the Rod Layton show. He
spun one through Kevin Smith’s gate leaving a tail exposed to his and Barnett’s
skill and guile, to the extent that only 5 runs came from the next four overs.
Pressure can do funny things and none of the Dales lower order could get the
ball off the square and the last over started with them 8 down with 8 to win.
Four balls later it was all over and Rod had taken 4 for 8 off 28 balls.
A great fun start to the
season.
