Despite battling hard, an understrength Originals were well beaten by Letcombe on Saturday. Firstly, thanks to Joe for reporting on the Oxford Caribbean game (good work lurchio) and secondly, apologies if the scores in the following report are a little vague as the OCA site is not available to refer too.
With six regular players out, Marsh were indepted to the very able replacements who came into the team and despite the absentees, we were hopeful of victory to ensure we had a relatively risk-free end to the season. With only two regular bowlers, Marsh decided to bat first and were soon on the back foot with some short-sharp bowling, combined with spin at the other end. Joey went first and Stu soon followed, out to a turning delivery as some of Marsh’s batsmen struggled to get momentum. Ollie on the other hand was in fine form again and stroked his way to a second successive half-century to give Marsh some hope. Nick Kiam continued to prove his worth with the bat, with a handy knock along with Carlos (aka Tyson), who had quite a funny little episode with their opening bowler, who offered to “see him after”. All very amusing and the culprit felt suitably embarrassed enough to apologise to our skipper, probably due to the fearsome reputation of the Gibbon leader! Apparantly, it was over something that was said after a delivery, but it has been suggested in the press it was instigated by comments made regarding Needhams dress-sense! Gibbon were all out for 140 and still felt in with a chance.
The best part of the day for most of us was Celia’s tea, one of the players favourite refreshment providers. Of particular note was the dazzling vctoria sponge which was granted the ‘cake of the season’ award so far, marked highly for the wonderful light and fluffiness of the sponge and the splendid sweetness of the icing. The benchmark has been set for all you ladies out there!!
Despite our best efforts, Letcombe knocked off the runs with relative ease as the lack of Gibbon fire power took its toll. The lads kept going and fought hard to make it difficult, but in truth we were fairly comfortably beaten.
With some results going against us, the Originals are now in clear and present danger of entering the relegation zone. That said, it appears still within our hands as we approach what is arguably one of the biggest games the club has had in recent years this Saturday away Watlington. The consequences for the loser of this tie don’t appear great at all!!
If ever there was a time for us to all pull together and put in a match-winning performance, it’s this coming Saturday. We can’t afford any excuses, we have got ourselves into the position and we can get ourselves out of it, but the proof will lie in what happens on the pitch! I know for certain all of us don’t want to be playing Div 3 cricket next year, so lets make sure we win Saturday and enjoy the remainder of the season.
Get yourself up for Saturday boys as you could be the matchwinner!!
Stu