LOSCC vs Spartan.

Report vs Spartan

Match Report
Date - 25/04/10 
Oppo – Spartan (h)
Type – 40 Overs
Report by Ravi Ramanuja.

Even as Ian Richardson was lining up for his marathon debut (in lycra shorts and an unusually coloured tee - 
that's marathon wear for you) his thoughts must have been with the Os and the beginning 
of the cricket season. The thoughts must have continued as he was running on tower bridge - 
"Will Simon Heed do a good job?". Around the isle of dogs, "Ivor surely has to deliver, 
he's been in good form". Canary Wharf "Liam should shore up the batting - 
Liam (who this writer believes watches every game of cricket played anywhere in the 
world and does not sleep ever) will ensure that we put up a decent score". 
Crossing the finish line - "Dave, Brian, Bob, Steve and Martin should pull us through 
surely." During his interview with the BBC "We also have two new players, I hope they 
are good! I do hope we win!"

This writer was suffering from a bout of Mulhollanditis, a result of overindulgence of 
Peach Schnapps (#12 I think) and somehow made it to the ground at 14:15 and profusely 
apologising for coming in late. This writer neednt have worried as Acting Skipper Heed 
won the toss and elected to bat against 2 and a 1/2 strong Spartans team. Bob was all 
padded up (new dukes pads, super light) and regaled Ivor with stories even as the clock 
went past 14:45 and about four Spartans turned up. The game started as five identical 
looking (clones?) spartans ran into the ground and the Os had to drag Bob away from Ivor 
and send him in to bat. For  a while extras threatened to be the top scorer but both Martin 
and Bob got the scoreboard ticking along and we reached 30 in 10 overs. Bob fell trying to 
cut a ball to a 'poor' fielder and Martin followed soon after failing to 'play forward'!

Ivor and Brian Allen put together a quick partnership with Ivor striking a few big blows 
until he was given out leg before. (Playing forward might not be the answer everytime then!). 
Acting Captain Heed strode to the crease and quickly got into double figures 
(like most other Os batsmen)  before being bowled by a sharp Kamran. Brian fell shortly after 
on 19 to bring Liam and debutant Matthew Hiscock, playing in his first game for the Os 
(and in a few years) to the middle. Matt stayed around long enough to get his first runs for 
the Os but was bowled and was one of the opposition captain Sunny's two wickets. Liam and this 
writer saw the Os to the end of the fortieth over even as Liam was run out on the last ball.

A nice tea was put away by both teams - you know the tea is nice when everyone's too full to 
really move.

Dave and POTY (TM) started the bowling for the Os. Dave struck first blood for the Os as he 
bowled opener Sunny for 2 and he celebrated it with a jump and a roar. POTY(TM) got a c & b and 
this writer can bet that no man has run further or faster to get a c & b before. The other 
opener Elsey got a nick and walked but not before Dave had turned around to go back to his 
bowling mark and was about to bowl his next delivery when he noticed the missing batsman. 
This brought Ronnie and Munni to the crease and some firepower to the Spartans innings. 
Munni was destructive and set about attempting a win on his own. After a quickfire 50 and some 
massive sixes, Munni fell to a brilliantly disguised leg spinner by this writer (brilliantly 
disguised as a long hop down the legside that is) as he edged a ball to the extremely active 
Martin. After some long conversations between bowler, umpire, an extremely active Martin, Munni 
started the slowest, almost imperceptible walk to the pavillion. That was that - the Spartans 
side folded meekly and the Os won a comfortable win from then on.

Special mention to be made of Matt Hiscock's fielding - very quick, agile and inspiring. We 
hope he will play many more games for the Os! Applause to young Jack Rumbold for bowling three 
miserly overs and fielding brilliantly all day. We believe he is the youngest player to take 
the field for the Os! Many more games for him as well!

Oh yes before I forget, Ivor was thrilled when the umpires requested he be taken off as a fast 
bowler as the light wasnt too good.

Next up - South Loughton!

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© Dave Revell