South Liverpool CC
29/04/21 18:16 Filed in: 2021 Season
Global warming is a funny old thing. Within the space of a month the weather was near artic, near tropical and then back to something more typical for April. If ever a performance was comparable to the weather this was it.
As Clarke and Harthan walked out to bat against South Liverpool CC, those waiting for their opportunity to swing the willow hoped that the scoring rate was more inspired than our opponent’s team name. Alas, how mistaken we were.
The start was solid. It was in keeping with the weather. The kind of opening that you sort of accept knowing that it could be worse and yet could also be better. Without the pyrotechnics of Armstrong, Clarke and Harthan laid the foundation. True to form this season (admittedly only two games in), Clarke was bowled playing across the line. It was a lonely walk back to the pavilion and his face told the story of a man who knew he had just cocked up.
The batting continued much like the conditions. Solid. Not spectacular. The game threatened to explode into life (just as a few rays of sunshine came through) when Harthan nicked one to the keeper. The appeals were raucous and sustained. Harthan was resolute in his belief that he could not be considered caught when the ball lodged in the keeper’s pads. The umpire was stumped. From the stands those watching could feel the tension. Harthan stood alone against the ongoing appeal. Finally, it occurred to the field that the laws should just be Googled. Two minutes later it was confirmed that Harthan was indeed caught. The celebrations of South Liverpool CC were certainly livelier than their name.
All in all, Liverpool Bar reached a total of 132/5 after 20 overs. The target was set and there was a sense of optimism when the players went out to field. Brownson opened the bowling and despite last year’s diet looked strong. Clarke assisted and bowled with a new lease of life. It was almost as if his personal life was breathing new impetus into his bowling (if not his batting). The pressure was mounting. Prior came into the attack. The Mic Jagger hair flowing in the chilly breeze. The batsman sought to attack Prior and following a nicely taken four slogged one to long on. The ball was high. The field turned expectantly to see who had the chance to take the catch. It was Austin. The pressure from the previous week’s drop still fresh in everyone’s mind. But safe he was. An outstanding catch!
With their tails up, Liverpool Bar turned to the debutant Berkson. He’d shown a reasonable amount of promise during the warm-up but the real test was now. He stood up well and took a nice lbw. Jones also got a bowl which was interesting.
The match rumbled on with both sides sensing a win. It came to the penultimate over when the scores were level. The ball was thrown to Tinkler who flighted a lovely delivery and was immediately dispatched for four. The game was over. There was a cold feel that had nothing to do with the weather. It was a knowledge that one had gotten away from the Bar.
As Clarke and Harthan walked out to bat against South Liverpool CC, those waiting for their opportunity to swing the willow hoped that the scoring rate was more inspired than our opponent’s team name. Alas, how mistaken we were.
The start was solid. It was in keeping with the weather. The kind of opening that you sort of accept knowing that it could be worse and yet could also be better. Without the pyrotechnics of Armstrong, Clarke and Harthan laid the foundation. True to form this season (admittedly only two games in), Clarke was bowled playing across the line. It was a lonely walk back to the pavilion and his face told the story of a man who knew he had just cocked up.
The batting continued much like the conditions. Solid. Not spectacular. The game threatened to explode into life (just as a few rays of sunshine came through) when Harthan nicked one to the keeper. The appeals were raucous and sustained. Harthan was resolute in his belief that he could not be considered caught when the ball lodged in the keeper’s pads. The umpire was stumped. From the stands those watching could feel the tension. Harthan stood alone against the ongoing appeal. Finally, it occurred to the field that the laws should just be Googled. Two minutes later it was confirmed that Harthan was indeed caught. The celebrations of South Liverpool CC were certainly livelier than their name.
All in all, Liverpool Bar reached a total of 132/5 after 20 overs. The target was set and there was a sense of optimism when the players went out to field. Brownson opened the bowling and despite last year’s diet looked strong. Clarke assisted and bowled with a new lease of life. It was almost as if his personal life was breathing new impetus into his bowling (if not his batting). The pressure was mounting. Prior came into the attack. The Mic Jagger hair flowing in the chilly breeze. The batsman sought to attack Prior and following a nicely taken four slogged one to long on. The ball was high. The field turned expectantly to see who had the chance to take the catch. It was Austin. The pressure from the previous week’s drop still fresh in everyone’s mind. But safe he was. An outstanding catch!
With their tails up, Liverpool Bar turned to the debutant Berkson. He’d shown a reasonable amount of promise during the warm-up but the real test was now. He stood up well and took a nice lbw. Jones also got a bowl which was interesting.
The match rumbled on with both sides sensing a win. It came to the penultimate over when the scores were level. The ball was thrown to Tinkler who flighted a lovely delivery and was immediately dispatched for four. The game was over. There was a cold feel that had nothing to do with the weather. It was a knowledge that one had gotten away from the Bar.