Bashers. It's Shanghainese for Cricket

Leisure vs Daredevils DUI – match report

The ongoing risk of rain, the typhoon warning, and an early morning start couldn’t keep Leisure from fielding a full side (and then some) against our worthy opponents – who although were unable to fill a team, managed to post a 98 run total for Leisure to chase.

Fresh off the bus from the Camel, the skipper had put his money on 2 of his best to start the innings  - Woodstock and Mouse (me!).Having seen these upstanding Bashers start the day in traditional style (bus beers and some “vapo” action), it left the skipper nothing but the strongest impression that his opening duo were ready to rip through the top-order…

After  conceding a few opening boundaries and multiple wides, it seemed that this decision was not the Skippers best, as such after realizing his  mistake,  retired  Mouse to the field after 2 overs. Woodstock got his 3.

Uncertain on the accuracy as to which he (Skipper) was making his decision making  on who to bowl, things started to turn Leisure’s way as Ganja, Puberty, Sharapova, Birdshit, Dags and Long Dong took the ball and led Leisure towards a series of “Ultimate Leisure Classic Catches”.

Ganja’s finger splitting catches at Cover (x 2), alongside his own wickets from bowling will be sure to keep him from feeling the pain (as will the band aid he required)….Birdshit’s break through wicket of Whitestripes , and his one-handed caught & bowled are all testimony to the skills he/Leisure have to burn….Sharapova’s much promised (and virgin) wicket will ensure she maintains her allegiance to playing with Leisure, whilst Puberty’s clean bowled of the opposition showed his coming of age.

Most memorable, though, goes to Woodstock who at Mid-on and running backwards, took a blinder of a catch behind his head- bloody marvellous! Suffice to say, Woodies pre-game warms ups and thermals were to credit for his field athleticism.

Field results – Leisure bowled the Daredevils out for 98; a grand batting result for a team of only 8!

Looking for a quick game after leading Leisure to chase of less than 100, our Skipper was certain to not make the wrong choice in his opening batting line up, and sent in his 2 best - Latex and Madein.

Although not entirely right, he was not entirely wrong, with Latex going on to score  a series of sixes, fours and singles in his innings (after being dropped), however with Madein contributing a Duck as a result of a missed timed  edge through to the keeper. Standing his ground and questioning Umpire Shrek’s decision, he was given the finger as such sent back to the Leisure Tent.

Coming in at first-drop, Mouse was certain to redeem his now tainted cricket reputation, and decided that he would swing at anything.  All guns blazing, his fairytale innings nearly came to a quick end, with the DD’s Cover dropping him off his first ball.

Chuffed about not being sent back to the Leisure Tent, Mouse followed in Latex’s step of smacking-the-granny-out-of-the-ball, any chance he got, or connected. The partnership between these 2 Leisure Titans ticked over faster than a dodgy Shanghai taxi meter, with Latex knocking out a high 20′s score, and Mouse punishing the DD’s with a 48 Not Out (most of which were boundaries). Honorable mention goes to Ganja for his brief support (1 run) and to the Skipper who also found the boundary more than once whilst chasing the tail-end runs.

• Sunday 26 June 2011 SRFC Near
  Devils DUI 98/7 (1.58)
  Bashers Leisure 102/3 (6.42)

All in all, a top effort to the Leisure Team who fielded superbly and batted relentlessly  to ensure another Win.

3 Cheers to Leisure!

2011 Division Three