Celebrate Good Times

By Lowe Pav, Womble, Seaxe Man and Barmy Kev
July 19 2011

Here's the report on the successful Middx run chase.  This was done at a great sacrifice by one, we hear of friendly and not so friendly banter and some embarrasing moments from our faithful.   Pictures again courtesy of Kimmy and Beefy. 

For the Middlesex reply Lower Pavillion agreed to do the 1^st half.  Previous occasions when he had been asked to volunteer to report his reply has been something like “over my dead body”. This time he was more than willing to note all the highlights making a great sacrifice for the cause.

Over to Lower Pav.  Sorry I’m late back (in fact he made start just in time for reply) chip queue far too long and had to return with no chips for report. I am very cold and hungry.   Newman Malan opening, yet another new partnership!!!  The announcer announces this while sucking in his breath. This he did every time and is very annoying.

Sidebottom has developed a very strange run up. Two skips and then runs in.  A steady start with one glorious 4 from Newman that lit up start of innings. There was a sumptuous drive from Malan in the 3^rd over and then is dropped by wicket keeper in this over.

In 5^th over first time of day some blue sky appeared.  It’s still bloody cold.

do i really need this?

At end of Power Play we are 29-0 from 6 overs. Then in Bowlers Power Play a glorious 6 by Newman over square leg.  At end of this Power Play we are 50-0 from 9 overs.  After 11 overs Scott Newman is out for 33 miscuing a big shot straight into Sidebottom’s hands.  We are 59-1 from 11.3 overs.

4 balls later Malan’s out with a reverse sweep.  Not a good shot under the circumstances.  We are 64-2 from 15.3 behind on the Vera. As I hand over the reporter I can now have some chips.

Womble here.   2 early fours as I take over. Lower Pav leading the Middle singing.  We quickly progress to 100-2. A massive 6 from Rogers. Barmy Kev shouts out “Are you Newman in Disguise”. Normally fatal but Beefy goes for loo break, but just misses biggest 6 of day Stirling towards scoreboard.  This shows an encouraging score 134-2 with 9.3 overs remaining. Yorkshire stewards were finding our rowdiness very amusing. Note to Middx / MCC stewards can we swap your stewards for our Green Team.  

Another 6 for Stirling prompts Lower Pav and Barmy Kev chanting “ We r Going to win the CB40 cup”.  Oh dear Stirlo out 57 off 40 balls.  We are still confident but with Rogers out caught by Sidebottom we start to get worried.   Barmy Kev needs to go to loo now, but as chatting to steward on the way he walks into the broom cupboard.  “ You don’t know where the loo is “ we chant, as stewards re-direct him to the correct loo. 

U donno where u going

The shouts and chanting from the Middle are getting louder as Dext is leading us close to victory and Sidebottom comes into bowl. Then we hear an audible “ Shut up you Cockney B*stards” from the notorious Western Terrace, this put Sidebottom off from his double skip run up and he had to start again.    Fletch and Loz join us as 4 runs are needed from 10, then 2 from 8.  Seaxe Man is still nervous, Fletch thinks we can still lose, the Yorkie fans are sneaking out. 

We win as Dext hits a glorious four.  Mass celebration. Fletch leads a chant “ We r top of league, say we r top of league.  Lower Pav shouts out. "I just want some soup'.

So over to Seaxe Man for journey home.  As leaving ground A Yorkie fan said to us  “ he is glad one team turned up”

A jubilant 7 were on 20:45 to Kings X.  Kimmy opened the champagne and toasted the team and named the Vermin Corner of carriage as “ The Cockney B*strards” Kev was struggling trying to transfer notes of the game on his laptop and appears stressed.

MTWD moderator never off duty

Thought I’d leave him in peace and was reflecting on great win built round brilliant fielding and century partnership between Stirlo and Rogers.   A further bonus was Kent losing to Holland.

Discussions went to Guilford what team we would play, what days to attend.  This was broken as Beefy had great problems opening his shortcake biscuit.  The biggest applause of day was when he finally opened it.

Fort Knox Shortcake

Just as we were arriving at Kings X, Ken was concerned Kev was squinting at his screen.  He showed him how to maximize screen size (Ed note- I do know, but was tired and emotional) and last 5 minutes of journey finally had large screen.   My final duty of day was handing over my report notes to Barmy Kev.

Summation by Barmy Kev. What a day. Given the weather and our 20/20 form coming into this, it was easy to be downbeat in build up.   However, we were all determined to enjoy the day regardless.  At one stage it really looked like there wouldn’t be any cricket at all and were grateful there was some with a big bonus of a win. The atmosphere we created and reaction from most of locals was very encouraging.  A 15 hour round trip well worth it and 2 days on am still on a high. Thanks guys and girl for your company and all contributing to this report.