Fun times, a gorgeous evening washed down with a couple of pints. It doesn't get much better than this on a balmy spring evening in Calgary.
Given the mantle of Royals Skipper for a night facing off against the Mighty Taverner's I was looking forward to some mid-week cricket.
With a glint in his eye and after sifting through the grass under the bleachers to find the errantly tossed coin, Lord Smudgington elected to bowl first.
Opening up for Royals were M&M (peanut flavored) Mitchell and Marcus got things ticking along against some good in swing bowling from Bobby made even more prominent by the quite strong wind blowing across Martindale in the perfect direction to bring the ball back.....way back.
Marcus was the first to go mistiming a shot safely pouched by Reinhardt off Bobby. Bart came to the crease and almost succumbed to the in swinging monster with a slash to leg that missed and saw the ball pass perilously close to the off stump. Bobby was taken off and replaced with Iqbal but he found Mitchell determined to step it up a notch and Bart wasn't far behind. After taking 10 runs from Iqbal's first over together they put on 55 in quick time enjoying the fast Martindale outfield and true wicket. Mitchell 25 fell first to a good ball from Iqbal who finally got his revenge cleaning up the stumps in spectacular fashion. Nabeel picked up where Mitchell left off and Bart was nearing retirement which was tragically cut short for 29 snicking through to Tony as Bobby was brought back strategically by Smudge from the opposite end to finish his miserly spell with 2/9, a great effort and by far the best of the Taverner’s bowlers.
Chris partnered with Nabeel and they put on 30 before he was narrowly run out for 6 by non-other than Lord Smudgington himself. This brought import Skipper Bray to the crease and it was easy to see that he had only one thing on the agenda. Taking one ball to settle he firstly took to Anjan who's second over went for 21. Bray hit 12 from 3 balls and watched as a barrage of leg side wide’s 8 in all added to Anjan's misery. Surjit was the next to go to the fence with Bray hitting 3 consecutive fours including a seldom seen slog sweep. Smudge brought himself on to try and stem the tide. The first ball was a couple of wide’s as Bray and Nabeel changed places then Bray top edged over the slips to bring up 33 in quick time. Royals were powering along now and although Amaar was out cheaply to Lord Smudge BJ took up the reigns. Nabeel had been ticking things along nicely at the other end during all the mayhem and found the boundary consistently with some lovely shots before retiring for a very well made 30. BJ was eventually bowled for 11 and Manny was well stumped by Tony off the penultimate ball to find a very healthy 181 runs posted at 9.05 runs per over. Tough times for the Taverner’s bowlers with Reinhardt, Anjan, Surjit and Smudge going for more than 10 an over.
Taverner’s had their work cut out for them but with the powerhouse opening partnership of Iqbal and Anjan fireworks were expected to ensue.
Royals went with a slightly more defensive field employing Cow and Long on for most of the innings, there was however one moderately attacking position - Fly Slip, it proved to be pivotal on several occasions. Nabeel and Chris started tightly with only 2 boundaries coming from the first 4 overs. When Iqbal edged Nabeel to Bart who took a good overhead catch at fly Slip for only 8 a very big nail was driven into the Taverner’s coffin. Anjan was joined by the youngster Robin and chose the moment to crank it up a notch taking to Nabeel's last over despatching him for 3 consecutive boundaries including a big 6 down the ground. Bart ended Anjan's innings 2 shy of the 30 retirement as he found the edge that flew to Bray at fly Slip. George joined Robin and together they set about building a partnership. Robin rode his luck being dropped on several occasions but played some lovely strokes and showed a maturity beyond his years. He twice flicked Bart to the boundary but there was not much on offer apart from that as Manny and Bart completed their 3 over spells for only 17 runs combined.
Things were getting desperate for the Tav's and the Lord of the Tavern was wearing a trench along the boundary with all the pacing in front of the bleachers.
Given the stop gap bowling job BJ and Marcus bowled an over each. Sensing their chance both George and Robin launched into action hitting 25 runs from the two overs. This brought about George's retirement for a well-made 32 that included 6 4's in a 60 run partnership with Robin. Reinhardt hit one lusty boundary but was bowled next ball by Ammar who had replaced Marcus. Mitchell came on and went for some early runs before settling into a good length. Tony was bowled by Amaar and Mitchell picked up the ever dangerous Smudge who was at this stage swinging for the fences but could only muster a feather through to Ajay who took a smart catch. Adib batted out the remaining few balls and finished with 9 not out. Royals beating Tav’s by 55 runs with the ledger now reading Royals 2 Tav's 0.
A fantastic friendly game on arguably the best wicket in Calgary. Given the size of our player roster and the generally low attendance at practices these inter club games are going to become standard fixtures throughout the Summer. For those that could not make it this time around I urge you to make a point of putting your name forward and joining in on what is quickly becoming some of the most fun cricket to be played at a fast outfield near you.
Both skippers along with Tony and Chris sat in quiet contemplation at the local haunt over a pint on the patio enjoying the fact that decent weather is finally here.
To the next chapter in this ongoing battle. See you on the field.
Cheers
Jonno