Alveston Away Sunday 27th August
Alveston 132 all out in 33 overs. M.Knapp 5-21. M.Pearce 3-19.
Oldbury 133-2 in 28 overs. J.Russell 56no. W.Pearce 34.
Oldbury won by 8 wickets.
Confidence was high going into what was expected to be a very challenging game. "I'll buy a yard of Guinness if we win this one" said captain Ian Knapp. What greater incentive is required?
On the back of their league success, Alveston's confidence was also oozing, but perhaps there had been too much boozing as well. They clearly had expected an easy ride, and over-confidence was reflected in poor shot selection on a sticky wicket.
Excellent tight bowling was accompanied by similar fielding along with astute field placements and bowling changes by the skipper. There were no crusts on Colin as he was elevated to open the bowling attack with Bob Gazard. Which way was Bob swinging today? He plays for Alveston on Saturdays and Oldbury on Sundays - and a lack of early wickets had us wondering. But the sting was in the slower bowlers. Colin claimed an early wicket, but Alveston then got in to their stride and at 60-1, things looked ominous. The skipper had held back his secret weapon, however, and up stepped Mike 'Striker' Knapp to bowl with the wind behind him! Five wickets ripped the Alveston top order apart, supported by smart catches from Ken Phelps, Jonathan Dyke, Tom Sullivan, Jim Russell and at the second time of asking, the skipper himself.
Matt Pearce stopped any signs of a recovery with three wickets leaving Bob Gazard to finally claim one and prove his allegiance. 132 was a disappointing total for the Alveston team with many first teamers - could they recover some pride after tea?
Again Alveston were hindered by complacency and over-confidence, expecting Oldbury wickets to fall. But this was an Oldbury full of steel and confidence, and desperate to make the skipper drink his words. Keep it tight and take your time were the instructions given to Jonathan Dyke who promptly knocked 14 runs off the first over! Dyke secured a sound start before being bowled for 15, but Jim Russell continued his steady form. Bill Pearce and Jim continued where they had left off the week before, knocking the Alveston attack around the ground. The joking in the field was soon made quiet as an embarrassing defeat came closer. It was a shame that Bill fell just before the Alveston total was beaten, with Jim finishing on 56 not out. A great win for Oldbury by eight wickets with eleven overs to spare.
A quick drink in the Cross Hands was followed by hectic jug and yard activity in the Ship. We waited and waited... and are still waiting for the Skipper's yard of Guinness. We won't forget Ian. However, there was no stopping the Skipper who's field setting is much better then his singing. Anyone who saw him the next day at Berkeley Show will know what a good night he had. But I bet he felt better than Sam Smith!
A final special congratulations to the 'baker' for winning the competition - who can get their nuts closest to Stumpy's cleavage! I'm sure I wasn't the only one to find nut shells in my pants later that night (I suspect some didn't feel them until the morning).