Marsh Gibbon Originals travelled to Fringford on Saturday looking for their second win in as many games. With the weather set fair and a strong team on the park, Stu won the toss and decided to make first use with the bat on what turned out to be a very good batting surface. Welcoming back Tom Leonard from his recent disease and youngster Cameron Wakelin into the team, the average age of the line-up decreased considerably, as Gibbon started watchfully with the opening pair of Sat and Joe making steady progress. When Joe went, Gibbon succombed to the recent trend of losing a wicket in quick succession to leave things looking a little shaky at 40-odd for 2. When Sam went for 4, it was down to Stu and Will to steady the ship, mindful of the fact that a good score was needed. The ‘quiet asassin’ Will batted superbly, nudging the ball around to manipulate the field, whilst hitting some lovely boundaries to show further his potential, while Stu looked to consolidate and hit at the right time, looking to give the hitters something to go at towards the last 10 overs of the innings. With plenty of encouragement from the travelling band, Will (35) batted with style to reach his top score for Marsh, which brought Steve to the wicket for a perfect cameo of power hitting with a quickfire 29, including one lovely maximum. Stu reached his 50, by no means his most fluid, as the consensus was that the old piece of willow was finally giving up the ghost…….Crouchy……get that bat for me boy! Gibbon punished the bad balls and scampered hard in the last 10 overs to reach a decent score of 198-8, much to the delight of the Gibboners who took full advantage of the convenient positioning of the pub!
After a nice tea, the cream horn a particular favourite, Gibbon smothered on the lotion and took to the field, knowing they had a decent total, but wary of the quality of the batting surface and of the oppositions top order. Fringford were well in control in the first 15 overs as anything off line was punished and chances were shelled! After the opener Reid reached 60 Gibbon finally got on the board as Joe took a superb catch off Crouchy, who came on and gave the innings some control. This really got the ball rolling as with 100 on the board with ten wickets remaining it looked ominous, however, Gibbon knew if they could break the top order and apply pressure, rewards might well come along…….and that they did! Satty was whirling away at one end, keeping it tight to build pressure and both Steve and Carl came on for second spells which turned the match back in their favour. With the ground fielding much improved and lines more in keeping with the captains field places, Gibbon regularly took wickets, but the second highlight (after Willo’s knock) of the day was yet to come. Cameron Wakelin produced a fantastic catch on the boundary off Steve to all but seal victory, sparking joyous scenes of celebration, as the team enjoyed the youngsters stunning effort…..another promising youngster from the youth development scheme! Sam dropped one and then took one in consecutive balls that sealed the victory for the Originals, with Fringford dismissed for 171. A great effort by the boys given the first 15 overs of the innings where the game looked to be slipping away anybodies.
With the supporters taking advantage of the refreshments, the boys had some catching up to do as they enjoyed a welcome pint at the Butchers Arms. No fines were administered sadly, as Sat had to leave, but there will be double next week for sure!! As the evening progressed and as Needham proceeded to sweat and attempt to devour 5 main courses at the Dog, the boys and wags steadily waded through a few well-deserved beers, before retiring to the chairmans for more fun and frolics! When it was suggested that table football and greygoose vodka would be a good combination for a drinking game, it was always going to be downhill from there……….as Tommy was last seen faceplanted on the bathroom floor as poor Mrs N was awoken by the sound of the youngster redecorating her lounge and sofa! Not hen! Perhaps it was a hangover from his recent condition or just the fact that he’s a massive lightweight, but it certainly didn’t work out too well for the boy who will be paying for that for the rest of the season!
A good win, against a good bunch of lads and a decent day for cricket, with the pub within stumbling distance!! What more can you ask more………..two wins this weekend would be nice!
Home on Saturday in the league against Chesterton and a big quarterfinal on Sunday in the Telegraph cup against Westcott…….rumour has it ‘the Oakapplers’ are already warming up their vocals for a comeback gig!
Well done boys!
Stu