Wield vs Medstead, Sunday 23rd May
Conditions: Scorchio!!!!!
Match Summary: A stunning victory snatched from the jaws of defeat or Medstead threw it away like John Higgins with confetti !!!!!!
For the first time in living memory Medstead won the toss and as Wield are the current holders of the Frank Shaw trophy were asked to bat (ensuring we couldn't bat for a draw...as if we ever considered such a scurrilous ploy just to keep hold of our only trophy!!!!)
On my return from international airspace and not believing the moaning about the freezing conditions from the previous games I opened the batting with my new opening partner and part time Usain Bolt wannabe Dougie B. This was a short lived partnership as I was caught by a very surprised 3rd slip (he had a very similar expression to Phillip when one has miraculously stuck) I was only 98 short of a 100.
Dougie smacked a few boundaries, sprinted some singles and lost a few partners (including a very green looking Johnny D who had managed to get himself lower and lower down the order due to some fantastic pissed staggering the night before). Dougie scored his maiden Wield 50 and in his excitement at reaching such an historic milestone was promptly caught behind leaving us 80-5.
The rest of the innings was typical village and typical Wield. The lower order put up its usual meek resistance and Yorkie protected his average with another not out. The innings was brought limping to its inevitable conclusion when Max was run out desperately trying to rugby tackle Matt Rawlings, he was heard mumbling "I wasn't for turning".
117 was not a defendable total on a glorious summers day so we trooped off to the pub for refreshments with heavy hearts and full stomachs from another wonderful tea!!
Yorkies Churchillian speech was nowhere to be heard as we returned to the battlefield in 30 degree heat.
A quiet opening was the order of the day but Hector's 1st over went for 16 and he was despatched to the boundary for contemplation and some sulking.
Dave bowled well but Medstead's Tour De Force Matt Rawlings continued to look like a big fish in a tiny tiny puddle until needlessly driving one straight back to Dave.
And so it began with Alex at one end making his bat look like a tooth pick and Gus unable to hit the ball passed his toes the run rate slowed to a crawl and suddenly we had a chance.
The Wield sniper appeared to shoot down Damien for the second time in two weeks at the very moment he dropped a dolly.....what are the chances!!!! He was replaced by Jack R who preceded to show most of us how to field and throw. It culminated in a stunning one handed stop in the covers the ball before Alex finally connected with one only to be caught by Dougie at cow corner.
Still only needing 3 an over with 6 wickets left Medstead started to play like utter buffoons, Robin took 3 wickets, Yorkie kept himself on to claim another 5 for and running someone out by actually running faster than the batsman.....what are the chances!!!!!
11 required from 10 balls and we expected some nudging and nurdelling towards the target, not a chance as the last batsmen charged down the wicket and lost his middle peg.
A stunning victory/collapse and Wield's 13 match unbeaten run continued, Yorkie lifted the cup aloft and we all trooped to the Yew Tree to drink, be merry and laugh at Medstead.
A word of congratulations to George Philips who's lovely wife produced a baby this week, apparently its a bit taller than me already.
A special mention to our new scorer Harry Robson aged 8 who managed to score the whole match and was only distracted by the offer of cake!!!!!!!!! A job for life I think.
Tony Robson
