Laz v MOD 12 June 2013

Post date: Jul 9, 2013 6:55:56 AM

A fantastic evening oversaw a great cricketing encounter on the hills of Failand. As customary, the Laz XI arriving in dribs and drabs, whilst the MOD XI were certainly present and correct, all 9 of them.

An interesting first over saw the ball comfortably pass Spencer at head height, not that he knew where it was, showing a tennis ball bounce reminiscent of that on Centre court SW19. He took advantage of the visitor’s lack of slipcordon by dubiously placing the ball there on more than one occasion. Mr Freegard did what he usually does and only played shots able to be described by the onomatopoeic words in comic books, SLAP – BANG – WALLOP.

As a standing umpire commented, “You knew we were playing the MOD when the fielders were moved RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT!”

A promising opening stand ended with a ball that did everything, and bowled Halliday S, a sign of things to come. The middle order failed to build on a good start with Freegard,Hansell and Lamb all managing to play around balls ( three more BOWLEDs in the how out column). All except for Mattwhose resilience brought a magnificent centrepiece to what was otherwise a rather lacklustre Laz innings. If rumours served true that he had just come out of retirement, his timing looked like it had never left him - like riding a bike. Bike, unicycle, bike, circus, Jules, don’t worry we are getting there. A vital few runs at the end from Mr Rowlands helped Lazreach a mediocre 99 for 7, with every single wicket bowled which must make the history books somehow!

Laz began defending their score with a bright opening partnership of Kunal and Buzz, both bowling great lines and unlucky not to each get more early wickets. Kunal took one in his first over, and a stranglehold on the game followed because of some great pressure in the field. Correct fieldplacing’s saw Kunal grazing efficiently on one boundary whilst Spencer was giving us his best David Seaman impressions tipping a rocket over the boundary for a maximum.

Buzz showed everyone how to catch a ball with maximum composure and minimum effort, we were half expecting a West Indian dance after to go with the laissez-faire attitude in the field. Tim responded with a well taken catch way above his head, the trees and the clouds, truly an effort only he could produce. All bowlers bowling well, Tim, Jules and Matt through the middle overs just never quite enough runs to defend.

The moment of the match was without question when the Abbots Leigh barman stood up from his chair with a terrified look on his face as he truly believed his cricket club was in danger as the Moscow State circus had set up camp on his field instead of the downs. Thankfully it wasn’t to be, it was just an impeccable impression. A great initial reaction at short fine leg saw Jules get a hand to a ball well out of his postcode, and begin to juggle twice, thrice, more! The ball finally came to rest on the ground, but both the ball and Jules were certainly at third man before the thrills stopped! One to live long in the memory.

A loss in the results column for Laz, but a respectable performance and maybe a gem uncovered for the future of the team?