Ormskirk 2018
21/09/20 16:35 Filed in: 2018
It’s a tricky thing to recount a cricket match that occurred less than 24 hours before when the statistics aren’t available online. What can be said with some certainty (because it always happens) is that the game against the Ormskirk Occasionals started with less than 1/3 of the Bar present. Given the time of year, a late start was not an option, so by the time Prior rolled up, the opening batsman for the Bar (both provided by our always generous hosts) were well underway. The innings was somewhat stop/start with only Reilly coming away with significant credit, retiring at 25, although Killen did his chances of future selection no harm with several boundaries. Variable bounce did for several of the Bar team (including the skip for a first baller) although Tinkler did find that there was a run or three in byes to the keeper if properly timed.
If the batting performance was a little under par, the bowling performance was one of the most impressive all round performances for some time with all 8 barristers in attendance turning their arm over. Whilst it is difficult to pick a stand out performance, Tinkler, Reilly and Killen (on debut) were particularly tidy. Jones did a rather impressive job of getting his knee in the way of a run out attempt from Armstrong which produced the sound of leather on bone that will live long in the memories of those present. Even the ex-skip Harthan got an over notwithstanding that he now considers himself a ‘specialist’ (LOL) keeper. Prior did get rather animated when Jones failed to pounce on a pull shot that was at least 20 yards from him and a few boundaries were leaked unnecessarily to the opposition in the finest traditions of the bar.
In the end it came down to the last over with 8 needed from Clarke’s six balls for Ormskirk to triumph and 7 for the tie. Ignoring the barrage of abuse following his Golden Duck and dropped catch (all from his own team), Clarke bowled a superb over only conceding 6 runs meaning that the Bar got home by a solitary run.
Ormskirk have a tradition called ‘Quiddich’ where every player puts a pound in and the best catch of the evening takes the pot. Alas, such was the competency of the Bar fielding, that not one solidary catch was taken during the entire Ormskirk innings.
Given that there was no complex electronic online statistical analysis by which to judge Man-of-the- Match, that honour goes to Reilly for his performance with bat and ball and for running Jones out on a suicidal run having turned down several obvious singles previously.
If the batting performance was a little under par, the bowling performance was one of the most impressive all round performances for some time with all 8 barristers in attendance turning their arm over. Whilst it is difficult to pick a stand out performance, Tinkler, Reilly and Killen (on debut) were particularly tidy. Jones did a rather impressive job of getting his knee in the way of a run out attempt from Armstrong which produced the sound of leather on bone that will live long in the memories of those present. Even the ex-skip Harthan got an over notwithstanding that he now considers himself a ‘specialist’ (LOL) keeper. Prior did get rather animated when Jones failed to pounce on a pull shot that was at least 20 yards from him and a few boundaries were leaked unnecessarily to the opposition in the finest traditions of the bar.
In the end it came down to the last over with 8 needed from Clarke’s six balls for Ormskirk to triumph and 7 for the tie. Ignoring the barrage of abuse following his Golden Duck and dropped catch (all from his own team), Clarke bowled a superb over only conceding 6 runs meaning that the Bar got home by a solitary run.
Ormskirk have a tradition called ‘Quiddich’ where every player puts a pound in and the best catch of the evening takes the pot. Alas, such was the competency of the Bar fielding, that not one solidary catch was taken during the entire Ormskirk innings.
Given that there was no complex electronic online statistical analysis by which to judge Man-of-the- Match, that honour goes to Reilly for his performance with bat and ball and for running Jones out on a suicidal run having turned down several obvious singles previously.