8 August 2020 – Ainsbury Avenue Home of Cricket
Thackley 254-8
Alwoodley 247
Match Report:
Kevin Dewhirst won the toss and in sweltering heat decided to bat first. The lads begged Paul Naylor to bat at least 40 overs and sent out Jack Allport to open with him. Jack Allport in his Yorkshire clothing looks like a pin up for any teenage girl who’s into cricket. He’s only 14, looks 19, has all the gear and lots of idea. Unlike Naylor who’s still got Leon’s old bat, Youngy’s old boots and Maguires pads on. For the first time this season our new Beauty and the Beast openers managed a 50 partnership putting Thackley in a strong position after 20 overs. Jack Allport (29) played superbly and Naylor (18) made a stubborn start which set the stage for the middle order.
Apart from Jack Mills (0) the middle order looked impressive held together by another classy innings from Jack Holland (64) and Adam Boocock (26). As the overs ticked by the shots became more aggressive and Aston Dalladay (24), Andy Roberts (38), Kevin Dewhirst (17*) can argue who hit the biggest six between them. A touching moment towards the end of the innings when Alfie Dewhirst making his 1XI debut met his dad in the middle to finish off an impressive 254-8 from 50 overs.
Craig Wiseman who openly admits he can’t bowl unless he’s got a big crowd behind him managed to take 3 early wickets putting Alwoodley under pressure. The luckless Rob Gibson didn’t manage to take a wicket but Andy Roberts and Jack Allport picked up one each. In a frantic finish Wahab Hussain was leading Alwoodley to an unlikely win until Aston Dalladay smashed into his middle stump for 121 to the delight of the drunk crowd. Wiseman took another leaving him with 4-28 and Dalladay finished with 3-50 in a superb game which finished at 19:30 and even had Alan Cuff smiling from ear to ear with over 500 runs scored on his ‘batting track’.
Jack Holland Report:
Jack started his afternoon by shouting back at the crowd who were trying to encourage him after being dropped. He was dropped again before being dismissed for 64. He should have got 100 and he was very angry with himself, slamming his bat into his pad as he walked off. He didn’t help at half time with the wicket or collecting subs. After being smashed for the biggest 6 I’ve ever seen last week he decided to wear the gloves and play wicketkeeper this week. He let through 6 byes, dropped a catch and started shouting at the umpire who didn’t give a stumping. His rant at the umpire was an impressive 45 seconds long ending as he questioned why the umpire was 50 yards away as he couldn’t possibly see from such a distance!! As the ground went from silence to laughter the game continued with Jack shaking his head with disgust.
A solid all round performance from Mr Holland who will surly enjoy a long trip to Colton next week where he can abuse anyone he wants knowing they won’t follow him 20 mile home.
Mule of the Match:
Arise Sir Phil Drake:
A huge moment for Phil when he was picked for the 1XI on Thursday night. Unfortunately no one had seen him since Thursday night and at 12:30 Saturday afternoon the realisation that he wasn’t turning up sank in. His brother Darren at 12:45 explained ‘he’s either in jail, hospital or bed’. He was right, Phil said he’d been in hospital with a poorly tooth?? I’ve no words. Phil will now spend his days in the 2XI wondering what might have been.
Arise Sir Kevin Dewhirst:
Dewy is supposed to bat No.5 today however after a mini collapse he isn’t ready!!! Embarrassing behaviour from our skipper who then drops himself down the order with every wicket that falls. He eventually walks out at No.9! VILLAGE!
In his defence he does have the best strike rate in the AW league.
Arise Sir Jack Mills:
Another none turning delivery from a spinner tickles the stumps of Mills. This week after only 3 balls. He marches back to the changing room he left 2 minutes ago, smashing his bat into the cupboards, explaining to anyone who will listen ‘I aint playing again’. To make things worse his dad had turned up to watch him. Not daring to walk round and see his dads loving yet deeply disappointing stare he ignored his dad for an hour before saying hello.
Arise Sir Rob Gibson:
Mr Hussain for Alwoodley scored an impressive 121 but all this could have been avoided had Gibbo caught a fairly simple chance at square-leg. A short ball (shock) from Aston saw a top edge loop to Gibson. Gibson misjudged it and ended up falling forwards and losing the ball as his hands hit the floor. Hussain was on 30 runs at this point, luckily for Gibbo it didn’t cost anything but 2 hours of everyone’s time.
Moment of the Match:
As the tension started to mount the 2XI return to watch a dramatic finish. Naylor is stood in front of a packed clubhouse and is called out by the skipper for talking on the boundary! The level of hypocrisy from Kevin Dewhirst left the sold out viewing area in hysterics and saw Naylor remove himself into the covers with a volley of verbal’s from the home support. It only got worse, Andy balls what can only be described as a ‘pie’ and it was Naylor’s fault for not being by the gate, 10 yards to his left at fine leg and as the ball hit the wall at 90mph. As it was clear today was ‘lets blame Naylor day’ he did at least walk off with the fielding point although that went unnoticed by all expect the umpires.
Man of the Match:
A fine all round team performance especially with the bat makes this a tricky choice but Aston Dalladay sneaks in to claim his first award of the season. He took more time than usual with the bat and produced the ball of the game to dismiss Hussain and win Thackley the match. Our juniors are looking good, let’s hope they keep up the good start they have made.
Next Match:
Our 1XI have a right treck to Colton who are flying high at the top of the table. A good test for the 1XI who are looking to pick up an away win for the first time this season.
