Detail: 19-07-2015 - Dunsfold


Result: Tie
Blues snatch a tie from the jaws of Victory! 35 over match Tied 192

The Blues uncharacteristically arrived early for the Dunsfold fixture (clever match managing Metson). So with a full team at the toss, Metson duly won and elected to bat. Tinky opened up with Appleton and faced unarguably the stiffest test of pace bowling that the team has faced this millennium. Despite a bit of chin music, DT and Apples enjoyed an important fifty partnership. Tink once again failed to reach a ton and is looking to delay his move to Dubai as a result although he should be made aware that the state is due to run out of oil in the next fifteen years or so! The Blues battled on with Aqib on one leg and despite a number of starts it was left to Drinky and Cormac to bolster the innings so that we ended on a respectable 192. Cormac played with great aplomb as did Drinky. Cormac was a man inspired and it definitely had nothing to do with his antipodean 'friend' who looked thrilled to be watching the cricket although clearly enjoyed the beautiful surrey countryside.

After a lovely tea, (when is it not?) the Blues opened with Gaz Cullinan and Andrew Drinkwater. Ably assisted by Mullet, Apples and DT we bowled with a combination of aggression and discipline. The pick of the bowlers was undoubtedly Gaz Cullinan who played his last Blues match for the forseeable future. (He has been seconded to Switzerland sort out FIFA) Writing this without scorebook but think he took four wickets. ? Dunsfold were being held back and beginning to fall behind the run rate, although after a few lusty blows, it was all set up for an exciting finish. At this point it is worth explaining how well Das had kept, athletic behind the stumps and saving a number of byes?.

Fast forward to the final two overs?

Cullinan and Seabass are charged with keeping Dunsfold at bay. Geed up by DT with his wonderful way with words - (he really is a wordsmith): 'Cmon you f****** we can f****** win the f****** match' and Mullet with his hugs - he really does like a hug) Both bowl admirably and so it comes to the penultimate ball. Dunsfold require seven to win, six to tie. Their fourteen year old (surrey district) batsman pulls Gaz for four with Metson failing to swoop and make the catch nor prevent the boundary. However barring a boundary the Blues will surely win the match.

It was not to be and the calamity that ensued sums up the beauty of village cricket?!! Dunsfold easily run one but Das has the ball in his hands with a second run seemingly impossible. Sneakily the Dunsfold batsman ask the keeper if they can run again and Das being such an obliging chap allows them - throwing the ball to the bowlers end but Gaz understandly is already celebrating a famous Blues victory and they sneak through for a tie.. Thankfully the Blues have a tour to look forward to and concentrate on off-field matters before we try and lay the ghost to rest on August 2nd.

Metto



[updated 16 08 2015]