Over 50s PJ White - Orange Write-Up

DAY ONE The campaign started with an early morning bonding session on the Bus from Orange to Bathurst. However the cricket almost got onto a slippery slope against Tamworth when Captain Peter (Mutiny on the Bounty) Remfrey sensed a coop at the First Toss, crystallised when George (Jetlag) Hodgson stated ‘it looks like we’re …… batting regardless then.’

So Toss won, we bowled on a ground (if not pitch) that was under water the previous day. Saying that I’d take that pitch and ground any day versus synthetic so kudos to the groundsman.

The opening attack commenced the opposition’s asphyxiation with score at 20 after 10 and Paul (the Giraffe) Adams on song. Then enter the spin twins with sensei WASA (formerly known as Wasantha Hettiarachchi) and younger Paul (the pennant hills grasshopper) James coming on and taking the suffocation to another level, as well as working through the order. Then with the assistance of Rob (can we just get on with it) Stares 1 for 31 off 9 Tamworth all out for 129 in the 45th and Grasshopper finishing 4 for 27 off 9, The Giraffe 3 for 21 off 9 and Sensei Wasa 2 for 19 off 8. Ian (the ring-in) McKee and the scribe unfortunately ending wicket less and also deserving recognition was stand in keeper John (I’ll do anything) McKee and the great team effort in the field.

At the change Mutiny kept us off the rocks with Jetlag taking us to 40 until the timezone and altitude took its toll. Unfortunately Peter (wanta buy a bat) Smith didn’t trouble the scorers and Jeremy (aka James I can high kick higher than you) Berenger could only add one.

But onwards and upwards that would be the last wicket with Mutiny taking it to the bank and Grasshopper quickly following. This left Ring-in and Glen (not so slow) Anslow to inflict the final blows in the first of the 31st.

Enough said, job done and if you haven’t worked it out by the lack of our batting innings commentary, the scribe was a wicket less bowler batting 12. Man of the Match rightfully going to Grasshopper, but with several nipping at his heals.

DAY 2 brimmed with quiet confidence and pre-warned this may in fact be the Grand Final a day early (oh to have the Div 1 system) we took on the cast of thousands that are MacQuarie Valley. Again with all grounds still recovering from last week’s spate of much needed rain we did have the good fortune to play on a freshly prepared pitch and reasonably fast outfield at Jack Brabham 4. Toss lost we were bowling and while the bowlers continued on from the previous day the batting had more purpose backed up with talent. Again another pitch favouring ‘pace off’ the spin twins clawed the run rate back and took two wickets each. In the end, and even after clawing it back, Macquarie 9 for 206 off 45, a below par score in dispute. Sensei Wasa 2 for 29 off 9, Grasshopper 2 for 42 off 8 and four others with one wicket including scribe finally getting one only because the batsman was too embarrassed not to be given out and walked.

With the chase always going to be a challenge, but worthy of the Champions, we got off to an unsavoury start with Mutiny gone for 2, Jetlag 1, and WBAB 17 making it 3 for 27. AKA James then commenced a well-crafted 40 off 96 balls, supported by Grasshopper 21, I’ll do anything 11 and Not so slow 23. Unfortunately the going was slow and the ‘Nude Nut’ bowling attack’ (Macquarie Manager’s words not mine) exhausted all chances of chasing it down.

Sensei Wasa 19 and the Giraffe 14no made better headway showing us mere mortals how to score at better than a run a ball by working the ball around until you could capitalise on the bad balls. But it was all too late, PJ White ending 8 for 165 off 45 and 42 runs short. Sensei Wasa rightfully collecting our Man of the Match.

DAY 3 saw us turn up with surprising vigour, not sure if it was the overnight sole searching at various watering holes or the knowledge we were taking on neighbouring Central Coast in a penultimate grudge match. Regardless both Captains agreed to a 40 over match, toss lost we were bowling again.

Like a well-oiled machine we got straight to the task, the Giraffe taking two in the first over (and our thanks goes out to Mark Bury for breaking your opening batsman’s glasses). O Ye of little faith however, would have been nervous of their number 1 who sent scribe over the boundary (with the Gail behind him) on the way to the bank. But aghast we were just lulling them into a false sense of security, because while the attack started as per normal, the Giraffe 2 for 15 off 6, the spins twins, Sensei WASA 2 for 26 off 8 and Grasshopper 1 for 18 off 8, Mutiny had several cunning plans up his sleeve. First he offered up ‘Can we just get on with it’ to their slogger who accommodated by almost immediately hitting the best timed shot of the game (yes much better than that 6) smack bang into the bowlers knee.

Mutiny telling him it was just a flesh wound made him keep bowling, seeing him take 2 in his 3rd and finish 2 for 19 off 7. Next, having held back our secret bowling weapon until the last game, ‘Wanta buy a bat’ came on bowling his Stock Shock ball (the mullygrubber) to great effect and closing out the innings with 3 for 13 off 6. But Mutiny’s masterstroke had to be taking the gloves for the last 10 and positioning scribe at point so I could give a full BLOWN description of the dismissal of the tournament. ‘Wanta buy a bat’ bowling up his changer (one that bounces just above the wooden stumps), bamboozled not only the advancing batsman but initially Mutiny to boot. However not to be outdone Mutiny quickly adjusted (eyes still watering at the flashback) and putting the team first put the only appendage available behind the ball middling it back onto the stumps. The Square leg Umpire initially in a daze of disbelief eventually put the figure up and Mutiny bragging rights with the only stumping. Central Coast all out for 111 in the 39th.

Mutiny kept the tricks coming by pulling the ’blood thicker than water’ card and getting the Mckee brothers to open. Their brotherly love rewarding with a 40 run opening partnership before Ring-in went for 20. Grasshopper added 13 (with total 63) before a minnie collapse saw he, ‘I’ll do anything’ 17 and Jetlag 4 in the book and PJ White 4 for 70.

But with wise heads on board WASA and Not so slow 14 would put the result beyond doubt, and leave the Giraffe to block his delivery delightfully so WASA 21no rightly had the honours to hit the winning boundary in the 34th. Man of the Match to the Giraffe, Mister Consistency with bat or ball.

So hopefully not to verbose, as it is hard to do justice to three days of great fun with a great bunch of guys (on both sides) and games played truly in the spirit of cricket. Congratulations and thanks to the Organisers and Division 2 winners, Macquarie Valley. I’m sure if bodies are still able and willing we will be back for another crack.