An Avon team packed with youth and experience gathered to welcome a full team of mostly aging experience and Horne Junior who was nursing a monstrous hangover, compounded by some overly exuberant pre-match practice with Horne senior. The weather was British, the setting was classic village, and the outfield was like the cobbled streets of Flanders…however, Charlie H(r)ussel was licking his lips at the slightly green greasy wicket!
Avon put us into bat, knowing the wicket would rapidly deteriorate, demonstrated by the first ball of the match in which HorneBy left the rails, attempting a somersault, before landing in his crease…surprisingly unhurt! The next 8 balls were mixed and they were 19-0…but, no fear, we had Hussell at the other end who was giving it some Stokes whip and spit, only to be let down by Captain Finsta who at slip (in white tennis shorts!) was a blade away from a worldy catch but in the following over dropped a sitter (to be fair cannot remember the last slip catch at ACC). The innings graduated through more comforting village style play….some missed catches, pinball wizardry in the concrete outfield, and once again the Avon curse did for Coley’s hamstring as he galloped to take a stunning catch (which he didn’t).
Humph and Staines started to take a few wickets, Russel with a great catch at Point and then a memorable run out which appeared to happen in slow motion or possibly because the gazelle like Mitch tricked the batsman into thinking he was quick and by the time the ball pea-rolled its way to Horne Junior, the two batsman were arguing at one end as to who was in the wrong…quality.
We came off for a quick shower (as in rain) and some DeepHeat for Coley and bizarrely Finn felt it necessary to deep fry his testicles in the hope of easing his groin injury - it seemed to work as he took a wicket with first ball of his over but what followed was more groin trouble, 4s and 6s. It was a fun cameo.
On came Bond, Paddy Bond, with all the charm and guile of James Pringle….taking 2 for 14 off 5 overs…calmly removing Avon’s skips with the final ball of the innings. Target 163 from 30 overs…reasonable.
We were treated to a tea of cakes and biscuits which would have failed the new HFSS regs but would have been complete with Skips and Wotsits…
On we went, wind was picking up and the skies were darkening - Finn kindly(?) put Coley into open with Hodgy and the running between wickets was err…slow, but we weren’t throwing our wickets away…good work, but with 35 on the board after 8 and a wicket that had become more variable than our tax rates, there was some concern. After some attractive one legged pushes and pulls, Mr Coley left the stage, to be followed by Nick ‘Pope’ H. would it be a 100 or 0 - delightfully found some form and rattled up a 40 and upped the run rate. This was continued by the swinging Humph, a short and very tired looking Horne Junior (who I must add kept beautifully!).
We were still tracking behind the run rate but enter Charlie Hussell who skillfully navigated some absolute pies from the Oppo and then some more quality stuff at the end, ably aided in the last over by Mr Bond (I expect you to win!)…and we duly did by a couple of wickets. Great effort all round and our 9th victory of the season - quite embarrassing really!
Best catch: Charlie Russell
Best Bat: Nick Harlock
Man of Match: Paddy Bond
Best moment: Ben Horne (who else!)