The Hugo Bugle - Thursday 16 August 2007With an outside chance of a finals berth the Fathers knew they had to “come to play” against the highly rated slogging machine, Howezat……and play they did!
With Hugo appointed the Caretaker Captain just prior to the coin toss (you need to check the website more often Hugo, your status as Captain was posted for a week.... FINE!- Itchy), a number of critical decisions were needed to go our way. Hugo’s decision to bat turned out to be critical especially considering the probability of showers later in the night.
Brothers in Arms (Chocco and Gilly) were appointed as openers after a superb batting performance last week (forget about the bowling) and the crowd was not disappointed with a sparkling 49 not out (FINE). With both wickets in tact after the full 4 overs, a team tunnel was formed for these champions of the game.
Nads and Norris batted next even though it has been a long time since they had batted together. In fact it's been a long time since anyone has batted with the super sub “Norro”. It's amazing what 8 weeks laying on your arse can do for your cricket ability. The fact that Norro had forgotten how to play was a benefit to the fathers as he came out all guns blazing and put the cricket textbook in the bin. The pair put on a sparkling 46, with Norro unbeaten on 24. After being 2 for 5 after the first 2 overs, the pair put on 41 in the remaining 2 overs of the innings!
Gladdy and Itchy put on a polished 53 for the loss of no wickets, even though there were 16 missed opportunities thanks to the powerful hitting of both. Itchy top scored for the team with a resounding 31 No.
So after 12 overs the fathers had lost a total of 2 wickets a sublime effort, that’s a wicket every 6 overs, simply impressive.
With the Fathers on 148 there was an opportunity to score over 200 and secure the bonus point. However at the Captains instruction Kevin was requested not to embarrass the opposition, but this message appeared to have been taken a bit too far as Kevin ended up with a positive score of 1 out of the innings of 24.
In came Howezat, trying to chase down the impressive total of 172, at approximately 10.8125 runs per over - a very gettable target considering the final four overs of the previous match! Sportsbet had changed the odds on the Fathers from $80 to $1.00001.
The rest is history the Fathers bamboooozeled the opposition with stunning run outs, bowling and catches – the best fielding performance of the century. A number of one handed screamers by Nads at the back of the court were simply sublime. Although all this co-ordinated brilliance was undone when ungraciously when he tried his best to impale all his “Nads” on middle stump whilst attempting a simple run out.
The Fathers went on to win by 72 runs and lost only 5 wickets in total compared with 21 by Howezat (see graph- click on graph for larger version). There have been whispers of A grade next season amongst the Fathers but those dreams were quickly shelved upon reliving the 9 match losing streak earlier during the B grade season. Bring on D grade and Shaw.
Super-Sub Norro was MVP, the Wayne Gretzky of Cricket. His dedication to winning was outstanding it shows his pre-game nets training has paid dividends.
The car park beers flowed, the banter was exceptional and ideas how to get keys for Snorkys farm for the Annual Encampment were discussed.
Post Match Update:
Wickets were the key as any cricket coach would advise.
A request from the ACB has been made to the Fathers for a copy of the match video. The video is apparently to assist the cricket academy in making good cricketers into great cricketers (something the Fathers excel at, well maybe bad cricketers into good drinkers!). The ACB also advised that they have identified Canada as a new country to scout for exceptional talent.
Next weeks match (last match of the regular season)
Wednesday 22 August - Fathers vs. Two Jugs (league leaders) – 9.30pm
In the 8
1 Conga
2 Nads - Birthday beer boy (tough call but there you go...)
3 Gladdy
4 Choco
5 Gilly
6 Itchy
7 Hugo - Captain
8 Norris
Rotation policy
9 Kev (Mum said no)
10 Mash
11 Snorky (in Thailand 'finding himself')
Injured or malingering - take your pick
Gristle (pre-season training camp)
Inzy (cartilage)
Our Kylie (s-Tuft)
The Hugo Bugle - Thursday 16 August 2007
Nads and Norris batted next even though it has been a long time since they had batted together. In fact it's been a long time since anyone has batted with the super sub “Norro”. It's amazing what 8 weeks laying on your arse can do for your cricket ability. The fact that Norro had forgotten how to play was a benefit to the fathers as he came out all guns blazing and put the cricket textbook in the bin. The pair put on a sparkling 46, with Norro unbeaten on 24. After being 2 for 5 after the first 2 overs, the pair put on 41 in the remaining 2 overs of the innings!
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