Wellow & Plaitford Knights. Wellow & Plaitford Knights.
Match Report Date 11/07/2025 Oppo Wellow & Plaitford Knights (a) Type 30 Overs Report by Al.L.Rounder The day started earlier for one more than others. Danno the ex-serviceman failed to find his accommodation (apparently booked). He yomped the streets of Salisbury until 3 a.m. with his 80lb sports bag, bat in hand and cricket helmet on, until finding a bush, digging a trench and challenging anyone who walked by with "Who goes there?". Was this a flash-back to his early military days on Salisbury plain? Onto the game, scheduled to start at 12:30 to accommodate the future of Wellow CC who start playing at 6pm. The O's elite waited patiently at the coach park to find out that the coach was at the depot and driver still having his shower. Stef, Mike and Danno were already at the ground warmed up and ready for action. A game of friendly cricket was suggested with Nige determined that Bucko was lucky the previous day and he could not get his wicket again, he was right! The coach arrived at the ground 45 minutes late with the already white cladded gladiators exiting with menacing war faces. Did the young Maori instigate a haka or was it a rush to get to the bar. The 2 skippers agreed a 30 over game was suffice, as enough beer wasn't drunk before the game and there was plenty in stock knowing the O's reputation. The newly named Wellow & Plaitford Knights batted first with big hitting Blakey (already 6 pints downed) struggling to find the middle of the bat against the exocet bowling of young Daji and the cunning bowling of Sir Jack Baker-Merry. Pocrell was first to walk playing a beauty from Daji to claim a brilliant caught and bowl. Blake was next to go with a speedy Malcom Marshallesque bouncer, taking him by surprise before being caught at 2nd slip by O's veteran Mike Redman. Wellow on the ropes? Only on a few occasions in the past but this is a new era. Bring on Golden Arm Big John Hayes. Varying his pace, length and swing taking out No 3 batsman Miller, clean bowled. Hoare was next in, taking his stance, focused to score, WHACK!, straight to the safe hands of Flash Baker-Merry (never in doubt). Hat trick ball, can it really happen? Only 2 bowlers in O's history have achieved this fete, both legends! No 6 batsman Keegan poised to block, too late, clean bowled! What an achievement from the young Henry VIII lookalike, now an O's hero. P VD followed Keegan after making 4, from a Syrett/Richardson combination catch. Can this be a rare game to win? Palmer stayed strong hitting boundary after boundary before Al 'The Wall' Syrett appealed for LBW, out for a stubborn 39, Wellow's top scorer. Syrett's 2nd wicket after a stumping from keeper Franklin. Big John struck again with a catch from Sir Jack, but another stubborn stand from Barnes and Vince leaving Wellow one short of 180. A quick turn around meant Stef could only manage 3 cakes. The first choice combination of Stef and Sex God Barot to open, making a 25 partnership before Stef gave his wicket away, rushing back to the pavilion for the rest of the cakes. Mike Redman came in and went out without scoring, bringing in Flash Baker-Merry with a swagger that put fear into the bowlers hitting two successive 4's. Barot was next to go, looking good at the crease (his batting wasn't too bad either). Another set of young legs entered the frame Aussie wannabe Daji sprinting between the wickets with Flash making a 60 run partnership, both elevating the O's chase within reach, before Flash was bowled by Miller. Sir Jack strolled in with a menacing 'Come and get me attitude' carrying on where his younger better looking and better sportsman brother left off. Felix and Jack slaughtering the bowling taking every run they could before a call to far left young Daji out of his crease 'Run Out,' a joy to watch the youngsters play with such freedom. In steps Skipper Ritzo, hoping to hit the winning runs, never mind! The thought was there, caught by the keeper. The tenacious Alex Franklin steps up fresh after his match winning runs the previous day at Godshill, can he continue to entertain? Three 4's off three balls, of course he can. Game over! What a performance by all, bowlers, fielders and batsman especially Big John. Onto the celebrations. A win double, the first in 18 years, keep those drinks flowing! The BBQ was set up and the night was ready to rock. Felix did his traditional 'Shoey" but who will honour him in his absence at next seasons game? The trophy was presented to the skipper who had tears in his eyes or could it have been the smoke from the BBQ? The younger section of the O's gladiators continued with their celebrations at the local nightclub while the elders drank in the local bars or went to bed. The O's did make the local newspapers. 'Warning to all sheep farmers, word has come about from Essex that 2 members of a touring cricket team have been heard discussing sheep, wellies and gumboots. Due to the seriousness of this overheard conversation, we advise you to keep your sheep locked away from the 9th to 12th June'. Next game - Hornchurch
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© Dave Revell