Welcome to Marsh Gibbon Cricket Club

Expectation Met

When we look back at the season in 5 months time, we will hopefully see Saturday’s win against Stonesfield as nothing extraordinary.  But, in the context of NOW and our progress as a Team it was a very important result.  Stonesfield are a decent side, (made stronger through good players from the defunct Begbroke) yet in both games last season we played ourselves into position to beat them and failed to do so. On Saturday we made the opportunity again and this time we took it.  That is what I expect to be the difference between last season and this. So, this was a very good result – a maximum 30 points – and positive signs from every player.  I want to say what I saw as positive from everyone on Saturday;

Jules – got us off with tempo scoring 23 at a run a ball.
Jakey – Solid, responsible 61, took the support role to Jules and Sat then “exploded” with 42 runs in 30 balls.
Sat Nav – 9 off 9 and then 2 critical calm run outs, in the space of 5 balls to close out the game.
Ollie – Another good inning of 25 (stop chasing outside off stump!) and fine fielding. Great partnership with dad, of 87!
Proccie – Solid 16 and diving stops in covers.       
Big Dave – Vocal leadership from behind (the stumps!) and the return of the trade mark six!!
8 Mile – Excellent cameo 21 in 20 at the death.
Skipper – Built pressure in opening spell with Stevie; 12 for 2 off 6
Crossy – Super bowling with 3 critical wickets for only 9 runs in first 5 overs.
Lewey – Calm tight double run out maiden at death.
Stevie T – Found the range and took 3 for 42, again cool as a cucumber at the end of the innings, finishing with a wicket maiden.     

Everyone participated to a good team win.  I only recall one period of doubt when Stonesfield moved from 78-5 in 22 overs, to 150–5 after 34 overs. They scored 74 in 12 overs and we put down 3 chances in that time, which brought them back into the game.  We could and would have folded last year and we were quiet and low this year. We must never think the game is lost and we must all impose ourselves on the game. Stevie T came back and broke the partnership by bowling the skipper and we finished by taking 5 wickets for just 30 runs. We must all keep alive and confident, support our bowlers and concentrate for when the chance comes for the big play. When that time comes we must make it happen, or in 5 months we’ll be looking back on another season of,  “if onlys”.

The Jackal.