Sunday Bloody Sunday

After the torrential rain throughout the Saturday, there were a few surprised Bashers when it became known that the Bashers would be playing “whatever the weather” as a rained off game would have resulted in a BCC-less final.

The team rallied bright and early (hats of to the Pleasure and Leisure teams who have had to do this throughout the season) and it was good to see a distinct lack of bleary eyes, maybe the lessons from the week before had been learned.

As has become traditional the driver took an “interesting” route to the ground, whilst the players, unaccustomed to such early starts started carb-loading on our sponsors offerings (Woodstock – those beef and mushroom ones are fantastic).

Despite the rain the pitch was in better condition than many had feared, and whilst soggy, it was clear that the game would be on.

Continuing his season long form, Stats lost the toss and Jon “Nike” Newton decided to put us into the field. Opening with Paps and Leppa seemed to work as we made early inroads in the Devils line-up. Former Basher, Northern Monkey Cassius came and went, obviously not relishing the fight, and it was left to Messrs. Anugula and Newton to consolidate the innings. The Bashers plight was not aided by Paps popping his shoulder and needing to leave the field – we wish him a speedy recovery – but it did allow us to unleash Tank into the field.

A partnership of 100 odd between the two Devils stalwarts was broken during a fiery spell of bowling from the Hedgehog – no doubt inspired and wanting to perform in front of Roller Girl who had braved the weather to come and support the team – as he bounced out Newton. Once Sanjay reached his ton, and departed, the Bashers demonstrated the never-say-die attitude as we applied the breaks to the run scoring, applied a bit of mental disintegration onto some of the Devils, and 170 odd after 30 overs was turned into 200 all out.

Game on.

Needing 5 an over, Dipso and Filthy set off steadily with Filthy cracking a couple of big singles and twos as he raced past his previous weeks efforts. Unfortunately Dipso yorked himself, and Filthy ran out of steam, Dazzler joined Campo in the middle and looked solid till departing, allowing Sir Dick to come and go as well.

40 odd for 4 after 12 overs meant Campo and Stats had to remove risk, consolidate whilst keeping the scoreboard ticking over.

80 odd for 4 at the half way stage, it was still all to play for, with 6 an over needed.

Unfortunately the run rate kept creeping upwards, and then Campo disappeared for a well crafted 38. With 7.5 runs needed an over, it was time for increased risk taking, and unfortunately Stats started a mini collapse as he was caught at mid wicket. The last few batsmen lived up to their reputations – Hedgehog tried to blast a few, before forgetting to get back in his crease, Oscar nudged and nurdled, Cranky proved that he is a bowler, whilst Leppa ensured that the injured Paps had enough time to score the required runs.

Ultimately it proved a mountain too high, and we ended up all out for 150. Whilst on paper losing by 50 runs seems quite comprehensive, in reality it really was anyone’s game till the 35^th over.

So the Bashers Business season is over, and whilst we were unable to retain the trophy we secured last year, it has been a solid season. Games have been played in the right spirit, and there have been strong performances from us all – bowlers stepping up when needed, and our long batting all contributing during the season, and whilst our fielding might not have lived up to previous highs, it is still the standard that the other teams aspire to.

The season ended with a monster fines session, and I am sure I am not the only one at work today with a sore head!

Special mention to Tank who stepped up as 12^th man, umpired, square leg umpired, fielded and relieved Filthy of kit bitch responsibilities.

Now the question is: do we support the Camels second cricket club, or the Devils in the final? Answers on a postcard…