Gerries versus Dartanians at Stover school on 28 April 2024
Dartanians 144 – 7 (30). Gerries 147-7 (29.3). Gerries WON by 3 wickets (Just).
30/30/30 Format
After [what felt like] such a great win against Sunset we headed to Stover School this time to play our great friends Dartanians and we were full of excitement. Whilst an artificial wicket Stover Schools cricket facilities are very good and whilst humid the weather remained fine and the outfield, although large, was good.
It was lucky we had a game at all as the weather conditions prior to the game didn’t look good with rain the night before and lots of wattsapp messages suggested that we only had 8 players at 1 point with Dartanians themselves only having 6, with 1 of those due to arrive very, very late.
Certainly, your captain for the day was given the option of cancelling the game. However, with cries of “don’t panic” and the late inclusion of Pat Duke, his daughter (who plays for Devon Ladies) and OUR new recruit Krish we arrived.
Dartanians play an interesting format of 30 overs, batsman to retire at 30 and bowlers to bowl a maximum of 30 balls and at the negotiated toss your captain was further asked for a player so it could be an even contest.
Given numbers Dartanians were given the opportunity to bat first.
Strangely of those initially asked no one came forward and so reluctantly our new recruit Krish was asked, and he accepted. What a decision this would turn out to be to the amusement of those around.
All of the bowlers returned with competitive figures with Gordon, Pat Duke (when not talking to and confusing the umpire), Harriet Duke, Beano and Jonah all taking wickets. Harriet provided an excellent run out and JP again taking a diving 1 handed catch, another champagne moment contender.
Dartanians finished on 144-7, interestingly with Krish being the second top scorer with 32 including 4×4,s. Certainly his 1st scoring shot from his 2nd ball faced was a lovely straight hit over mid-on that everyone just watched.
Why was everyone looking at the skipper?
Dartanians themselves realised the error and were asking if Krish could play for them on a regular basis.
With some of the players being the first game of the season it was thought that the batting order could be adjusted slightly. However, we were soon in trouble with Kiwi (4), Skinner (5), Jonah (0) and Dyer (13) all back in the pavilion.
At 1 point we were 34-4 with the main culprit being Krish with 3 -15.
When asked what he was bowling he gestured off cutters.
With “don’t panic” still ringing in our ears Pat Duke (30), JP (36) and Tyson Chugg (15) set about our recovery with another champagne moment from JP being a lovely straight six down and into the neighbouring cricket square.
Gerries finished in the last over on 147-7.
Still reminiscing on the various captaincy decisions made during the day we all headed to The Star for a pint and chips.
Dartanians still taking about the new recruit.
Gerries bowling figures.
JP Sewell 5-1-30-0
G. Hughes 5-0-21-1
Evans 2-0-8-0
P Duke 5-0-26-0
H. Duke 5-1-16-1
M Dyer 5-0-30-1
K Jones 3-0-13-3.
KNJ/04/05/24
Highlight reel
Coaver Gerries Cricket Club 
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