Sad, Sad, Sad, Sad, Sad
It’s a sad day when the behaviour of the opposition becomes more of a talking point than the excellent bowling and fielding of our young players.
It is sad for cricket that a team of many adults have to spend a majority of the game verbally attacking young lads from the moment they arrive at the crease.
It is sad that a team of adults would appeal at almost every bowl in an attempt to claim wickets that they had not deserved. (Including an appeal from the bowler for caught behind when the ball did not pass within a foot of the bat – the wicket keeper/captain joined the appeal and said he needed to appeal because the bowler had)
It was sad that in Division 10 South a team came to play with 4 players and 7 others who had been taught to appeal every time the bowler had released the ball.
It was sad that the team prevailed.
On a glorious day, Mick lost the toss and was asked to field, with Niall Dawkins missing for the first time this season there were changes to make. Adam Roe (7 overs 2 maidens 2 for 15) opened the bowling, with an excellent spell that saw off numbers 1 and 3with the score on 2 for 35 off 13 overs. At the other end Darrell Ford (7 overs 1 maiden 0 for 19) had kept the game tight. Dan Dolby( 6 overs 3 for 20) replaced Adam and continued the standard of tight bowling setting up catches for Sam Ford and Mick Acton and clean bowling Burton’s captain. At the other end Dan Featherstone (5 overs 2 for 32) was making the batsmen think and was particular unlucky to see the opener, who was on 34 at the time, edge the ball over our very agile deep gulley. Mick Acton(4 over 2 maidens 2 for 9) replaced spanner and the standard continued including the most athletic catch to tie up the innings; the ball looped back to Mick so he did a slide, backwards role, half twist and a double salko before taking a two handed catch whilst still on his back. Trevor (3 overs 2 maidens 1 for 5)had replaced Dan Dolby and provided Adam Roe with his 3rd catch of the match the previous two being caught and bowled. Burton were all out for 107.
Unfortunately, in hindsight Captain fantastic then made his first tactical mistake in two seasons. With 10 overs required to allow the tea team of Sue, Denise, Louisa and Megan to do there final preparations, Mick sent out Dan Wildman (6) and Dan Dolby (3) the oppositions bowling was varied but the surprise ball, the one that did swing on to the stumps found the inexperienced youngsters out. First double D then Sam Ford (0) perished then Phil Tate (0)who had batted so well last week was caught with a Yorker on his back foot walking across his stumps. Dan Wild man had worked hard to preserve his wicket but was bowled of the inside edge. Andy Ward (15) and Ady Statham (8 ) came together and saw Rolleston through to tea on 18 for 4 off 10 overs. At 16 overs another in-swinging delivery removed Ady’s middle and off stumps, Wardy was joined by Darrell Ford (6) but 4 overs later Andy was bowled too. Darrell went in the next over, edging the ball to the keeper who obviously appealed for the catch, as I looked for confirmation from the square leg umpire Darrell walked. Neither the keeper nor I at the far end were clear that the ball had not hit the ground first. 46 for 7 off 21 overs: Adam Roe (3) and Mick Acton (23) were now together and trying to set us up for a go at the total with 39 overs still to bowl. 10 overs later, Adam is bowled by a quick delivery, from the spinner, off his pads. Trevor (14 not out) and Mick then put on another 12 before Mick, who had been dropped previously was bowled. Dan Featherstone (1) was required to support Trevor as they attempted to add the final 18 runs. Unfortunately 6 overs later a slower ball saw Dan meet the ball too soon and was caught out, but not before they had gained one batting point 100 all out.
Rolleston 6 points Burton 27
