Thackley Vs Alwoodley
Well where to begin…
What looked liked a hard and bouncy track and a bat first call from pretty much every one as Danny “Ginge” Maguire was already under the biggest tree dying in the heat. The captain duly advised.
KV (9 off 91) promoted up the order as he keeps on pressing on with his Paul Naylor style along with Gibson, we set out to bat. Only to find out it doesn’t get above your ankles. We started solidly, blocking and leaving like it was a test match, and in truth neither put the bad ball away well enough – although some of is it very legside. Gibson (23) rode his luck and it run out leaving us 43-1, and what we thought was a good start seeing the openers off.
What happened was a car crash, KV looking solid before Cuff pulled a “Botham” on the young “Boycott” and ran him out! According to the scorecard online CV managed 5 with 2 4s and a 6….. Gaz looked solid in the middle (27 – scorebook says 22 for some reason) – with a massive 6, but was left stranded and we left 5 overs in the tent 107ao with extras been the 3rd highest scorer.
Alwoodley set off fairly well and looked solid in attack and tbh watching showed real intent on pushing on the single and taking the gamble which sneaked valuable runs from us – something to watch and learn from. It didn’t help Gibson decided to have a mare in field, he let a 4 through his legs as a long barrier should have been had, he had one go over is head probably to close in trying to stop single, then he had one hit straight into the sun from debutant Harry Mills and couldn’t see it, and more – the only bright side was to learn that older brother had dropped a dolly for a lad to go on and get 100. And for the reason above he his the Mule of the day. Although point out was only one of opposition to stay and have a drink with opposition – we finished at least 2 hours earlier than expected so should really be no excuses, poor form from TCC. I will note most of Alwoodley 1st team had a drink at ours.
Gaz started well but Alwoodley positive intent with pushing hard singles helped them, Mags took a few overs to get on the money, then ran though is overs 13-4-32-2 fairly quickly to get back in the shade as quick as he could, some horrible fielding ruined those figures and what he believes was a stonking LBW decision has a baptism of fire into 2nd team cricket! Luke bowled well without much luck. Harry Mills settled in to his first 2 overs fairly well and shows the futures bright for the young lad and he’ll certainly come again on the senior side to much better days, Then Gibson came on to attone to some of his shocking fielding to float one up for the kid to come running down the crease, fall over trying to smash him middle of Leeds and was stumped by some patient work by Basa. And if all hope wasn’t lost with Gibson on, we also gave Cuff the bowl. Game over.
Some positives are another fairly solid opening stand but maybe look to improve with a few more runs on board ata better RPO before handing over to Middle over. Basa is looking solid behind the stumps, Luke continues to impress with, 3 Juniors in side 1 on debut all look bright prospects from the club with some eye catching and patient shots from Tom and was impressive and encouraging in the field, KV has his role defined and looks solid in field, and Harry no doubt will be a key bowler to the club in the coming years.
In the words of the mighty D-Ream – things can only get better. Keep going lads, bring on the W next week.
