Outcasts Blitzed By Rampant Dads

Outcasts v Rammy Dads

Winton Cricket Club

Tuesday 22nd May

Outcasts 136-3 off 20 Overs

Rammy Dads 142-4 off 17 Overs

Outcasts played their first home game of the season at Winton on a lovely evening on the 22nd May.  Prior to the match there were presentations of bottles of wine by Outcasts' Club Chairman Peter Taylor to Mike Humphreys, Head Groundsman, and Peter McDonald, Club President of Winton Cricket Club, for keeping the pitch and ground in such immaculate, tip-top condition and for their hospitality in hosting Outcasts' home matches.  They should have received their tributes at the end of last season but the final home match was cancelled due to inclement weather.  Andy Broadhurst was also presented with the Golden Duck for his fine 'keeping in 2017, and his 6 catches.  He had been joint winner with Colin at the Silver Boot Dinner in November, and it was his turn to take over possession of this much-coveted award for the next six months.

Outcasts lost the toss and were put into bat by the Dads.  Jeff Stanton opened with Scott Broadhurst, who sadly fell to his second ball for a duck.  Derek joined Jeff and the pair progressed to 31 before Derek was bowled for 7.  This brought Andy to the crease and he contributed a fine boundary before he, too, was bowled.  Outcasts at this stage were 43-3 off 7 overs, a respectable rate for a team not noted for fast scoring.  David Walsh now joined Jeff and provided the support necessary to take the innings forward.  Jeff was in imperious form and cracked an unbeaten 76 which included nine 4s and two 6s.  David was content to take a back seat and give Jeff the strike, but contributed a valuable 15 runs himself in an unbroken partnership of 93.  The Dads spread their bowling around with all ten outfield players turning their arm over.  Partly as a result of this, 32 of Outcasts' runs came as 'extras' with 20 of them wides, and it wasn't always easy to lay bat on ball!  Simon, with 2 for 7 off two overs, was the star.  Outcasts closed on 136-3 off their 20 overs, a total that they were confident of defending when they took the field for the Dads' reply.

And therein may have lain the problem; perhaps Outcasts were too confidant.  The omens were not good when Steve, one of Dad's opening batsman, was dropped first ball off a skier to deep mid on, a difficult chance, and the Outcasts never properly recovered.  A team that traditionally has benefitted from tight bowling and fielding just never got it together on the night.  Shots raced to the boundary that should have gone for no more than a single, and the extras piled up with a succession of costly wides.  Andy behind the sticks had his work cut out to keep down the runs.  The Dads openers put on 28 before Bernard was smartly run out by an alert piece of fielding from Scott.  Geoff joined Steve and added 7 before being bowled by Scott and at 46-2 off 7 overs the match was still very much in the balance despite Outcasts' aberrations.  Jeff Stanton added to his batting performance by taking a spectacular catch from a fiercely struck cover drive to dismiss opener Steve off Paul Lucas's bowling, and then took a wicket himself by bowling Tom.

But the Dads had wickets up their sleeves and Chris, Martin and Simon all swung the bat to good effect. Despite their best efforts, Outcasts bowlers were unable to stem the flow of runs, with Simon in particularly belligerent mood as he struck two 6s and two 4s in an unbeaten and ultimately match-winning 25.   The Dads won with 3 overs to spare in a match that Outcasts thought at one stage they had in the bag.

After the game the players retired to the club house and enjoyed a late supper of pizzas and beer.

Next up for the Outcasts is the annual trip to Bakewell to take on the Peak Park Planners.  Last year we couldn't raise a team.   Let's hope that this year the match goes ahead, and that the weather is fine.

MOTM: Jeff for an excellent all-round effort, but especially for his batting

Champagne Moment: Jeff again for the catch to dismiss Steve

cw