Yet again the sunshine shone down brightly on an outstanding wicket at Ashton Wold, the blue wonder having worked its mystical powers once again. With the heat rising and the hangovers wearing off, Awdry lost the toss and our opposition elected to send AWCC into the field to endure the intense UV rays. Sunscreen was henceforth applied by players of both teams keen to stay perfectly winter bleached for the up coming Jubilee revelry in honour of Liz.
The opponents were Great Houghton, always a strong team, their track record at Ashton, not so strong, took to the crease. Jack “animal” Wood & Doug “wore a hat on his way to the ground” Heath opened the bowling, both shocking the two openers with their pace and assortment. At the same time they gave veteran AWCC player Jonah “Zinger” Burdett, returning after a prolonged absence, a reason to be thankful to new comer John (Doug’s Uncle) for lending him his keeping mitts. An exquisite exhibition of cricket from both bowlers and our new keeper. Aided by some rigid early fielding from the rest of the AWCC line up.
Unfortunately the batting was better, GH got off to an immediate start. The sun drenched out field was lightning and the pavilion boundary short. Relief came when JW bowled a terrific out swinging ball that was caught just as dazzlingly of the bat by another new comer to the AWCC team, Alan “chino”. Another wicket fell some time after that. More GH batsmen came to the crease, more wickets fell, and more runs were scored. Sugar and yet again another new comer Mark “usually wears jazzy trousers” bowled some tight over’s but also got smashed about a bit. The same can be said for Jack “inventorofmuckypooparmbowling” Allen. Awdry had his first spell of the season and bowled well, obviously relieved to have passed on the keeping duties. Awdry slowed the GH pace a little but he too struggled in the English climate. Palmer fielded with the agility of a mountain goat and the strength of an Ox. Supported as always by an ever ready Mr. Lucas in the covers. John (Doug’s Uncle) dropped a sitter and a hard hitter, bruising his thumb in the process. At lunch GH had amassed a big score, the fourth batsman of the day scoring 100 runs.
Lunch was excellent. A hearty affair consisting of traditional sandwiches, fruit, some spicy peppers and some most agreeable home made cakes. Our thanks to Mrs. Sugar Ray for the wonderful sustenance.
The sun was still hot, and the air abundant with late spring goodness. Pete Lucas and Jonah Burdett took to the field both brandishing home grown Lucas willow. JB was caught cheaply after a steady start and Lucas struggled to find his left handed go. GH bowled in good form from both ends from the off, fielding tightly too. Very few runs were scored before Palmer had to ask for middle. He hit some runs and about 7 balls later he was bowled by what was surely the finest ball ever to be bowled at AWCC? He thought it was and the bowler agreed. Palmer’s average now in tatters.
The run rate looked healthier though and so to the middle went new bat John. Pete got out by another good ball from the same bowler that bowled a better ball to SP, and Doug “my uncle can’t catch” Heath went in to bat. John and DH batted well together the strongest partnership for AWCC of the day. DH hit a six and another and another and some fours and he ran some too, a notable effort with the bat. Then he missed a ball. He was out. More AWCC batsmen went in, the Skipper stuck to his normal sweeping routine and picked up a few runs, and then more wickets fell. John swore he hit the ball, GH appealed, they hit his pads, JA agreed and triggered his finger without hesitation. Some more batsmen followed, as did wickets. Jack “JUMBO” Wood decided he had had enough for the day and gave the bowler a catch ending a sturdy tail end partnership between Mr. Sugar Ray and himself. Great Houghton had won.
"A fart competing with thunder" - Graham Gooch assessing AWCC performance against GHCC
W.G.GRACE
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