Coaver Gerries Cricket Club

Dartainans v Gerries Sunday 27 April at Stover School

30/30, 30CRS, 4 overs per bowler

Gerries 176/9, Dartanians 170 all out. Gerries won by 6 runs

The Gerries third game of the season saw a beautiful early summers day in an idyllic cricket setting at Stover School, as the Gerries took on the Dartanians. Suncream was a necessity, as was the Chairman inspired #OneTeam mentality that became the mantra by which the Gerries saw their first glorious win of the season.

In impromptu net session before the game began getting everyone warmed up nicely. Winning the toss and choosing to bat first was top of the agenda for Skipper Jonah, and in act of joyful abandon, he asked The Earl to open up the batting with him. Skipper and The Earl started in the spirit the game deserved. Taking it to the bowling team, milking the extras (which technically should have retired before reaching 39) and setting the standard for the rest of the order.

Earl was eventually bowled for 6, bringing James Evans to the crease, getting out shortly after for a duck. Up stepped Krish, making his season debut and playing his way for a fine knock of 19 before sending a straight one back to the bowler. The crowd then got to hear the dulcet tones of a late cutting Beano, playing all around the park, scoring freely and supporting an equally great knock at the other end by Skipper. Skipper reached the CRS bringing in JP. Beano and JP carried on piling on the runs, until Beano, clearly feeling the pressure of batting with the reigning player of the year, embarked on a suicide run leaving JP to walk back to the hutch muttering something about early season mobility.

Dan Lobb up next played with poise and struck a lovely 11 until the death rattle saw him return, opening the crease to the #Oneteam Chairman. Playing some marvellous shots in a lovely innings and adding 19 to the total. Beano taking the applause (maybe not as enthusiastically from JP) as he reached the CRS bringing Skins to the crease. Some lovely shots and great running between the wickets saw Skins adding 8 to the total before being bowled. Ian Clewlow strode out to the crease, hit the ball back to the bowler who caught it and strode back in again. Without Mike Seal batting, Gerries had set a very respectable 176/9. “Chairman is happy“.

To (almost) quote Hot Chocolate, it started with a huddle. Never before seen in a Gerries pre-match ritual, but from the outset it rattled the opposition. They had no idea what to expect, and given the conversation in the huddle, neither did 85% of the people in it, but the Skipper did a marvellous job in setting the tone, the standard and directing the input and wise cracks. Speaking of setting the tone, Krish’s dedication to fielding practice cost him a pair of glasses but he did at least get to keep the skin on his face.

The defence started well with Clewlow and JP opening up. Both bowling tight line and length in their opening overs. The fielding was excellent and the Gerries were really buying into the #OneTeam mentality, especially The Earl who seemed to be everywhere.

With a limited number of overs to manage, Skipper soon swapped it around bringing Beano and then James Evans into the attack. James opened with a maiden and ended with a wicket, and Beano in the last of his 4 took two in two, thanks mainly to some outstanding catching by Krish and Skipper – Hatrick ball… but sadly not this time.

Dartanians maintained a scoring pace, moving past the 100 mark with their mid order seeing a CRS reached and the game was in the balance. On came the Chairman, who bowled nagging line and length to concede only 17 of his 4. Krish bowled well, and was unlucky not to take a wicket, as did Dan Lobb, who did take the wicket of the other middle order batters threatening the CRS.

Then out of the midday sun came a throw back to Mike Seal which reared up and gave him a nasty split lip, which required a trip to the local Minor Injury Unit, but thankfully he returned to the field, but not to the game (a big thanks to Andy from Dartanians for stepping in with some top work in the field). James Evans donned the gloves and anchored the wicket keeping duties. A remarkable stat for the Gerries next book, that not a single bye was conceded by Mike or by James, a brilliant demonstration of #OneTeam

Dartanians then proceeded to stick around and tick over the runs ever closer to the target of 177. In an inspired move, Skipper bought back opener JP to finish his last two overs. Another hatrick chance… this time brilliantly taken, all three bowled. Beano was furious delighted for him. An early contender for champagne moment, but there is a long season ahead!

In another move straight from the text books, Skipper backed himself to bring it home, and that he did. A wicket on the first and the last ball of his last over, with Dartanians only needing 6 to win ended the innings and providing a well deserved win for the Gerries.

It was a run chase that needn’t have been so close, leg side field leaving the offside more open than an XL tour shirt, and a team mentality that really showed what it is to be part of the Gerries! If you don’t believe us, ask Earl… he has the whole thing on camera!

Great pint in the pub post game, and looking forward to the return leg. “Chairman remains happy”

Get well soon Mike Seal!

#OneTeam

Bowling figures to follow