Willoughby 2nds Vs Abington Phoenix 2nds

Saturday morning, beaming sunshine and I'm sure all 11 Willoughby players skipped out of their beds with great excitement for a hotly anticipated fixture between Abington Phoenix and our very own 2nds. Phoenix with a very solid team already safe and promoted to the promised land, we were keeping pace with a 9 game winning streak with Bold Dragoon and Saints on form it was a game where points were key.

Early pictures and assessments of the wicket were not good, Jimmy Andrews and Ryan Lines arrived early to inspect a minefield. Describing it in its entirety would have been longer than the extended version of The Return Of The King. Nevertheless, the toss was lost and we were in the field on a piping hot day. A few key players were missing, I'm sure Steve Porter looked at the long range forecast and declared himself unavailable as there was not a inch of shade available. Possibly still applying aftersun from last week.

Rees Moor with 1 hamstring caused early issues. Things went from hot to ridiculous in the 3rd over. Jimmy with a sharp take and there was a odd chat between umpire and square leg as they deliberated how they could call 'not out' Jimmy was half way back to the pavilion as the skipper declared that they would forfeit the game, the the umpires finger was eventually risen to the blistering sun and the batsman walked off without a sound. Deery caused trouble and another thick edge was snaffled but on this occasion the umpire had none of it.

The wicket was terrible, our bowling was below par and Phoenix had a solid start at 115 for 4 with Faris the main instigator who batted excellent for a 72. Apart from that most of the Phoenix team struggled with a key wicket to Robin (34) who definitely hit the ball to long on. Drafted in for the day was Pete Perry who had issues with 7 ball overs. Eventually the message was relayed to the square that we had a scorer who could count to 6. Wickets were plentiful and Lines came back on early and snaffled 5 wickets. Martin Nichols economical as ever with 3 for 27. Rees Moor 2 for 29. 168 all out was a good score on the dust bowl.

Tea had come and gone as Sean Thornton started off with his 6 and realised that he was quite possibly going to get lucky tonight and popped the ball up on one that rose up just a tad. Poor Rees was drafted up the order as the hippodrome was calling, Harry Lacey and the skipper himself got grass cutters a Flymo would have been proud of. Anshul Satsangi and Jimmy 'busy hands' Andrew's were solid before the fires of hell broke loose. Stu Hall decides to bite back and play Phoenix at their own game with every Australian antic possible. He made some best friends along the way, I'm sure they will look forward to next year. Stu even declaring balls that wouldn't have troubled a fly slip were plumb.

At 98 for 8 things were bleak and a excellent stand of 31 from Ryan Lines and Fergus Deery there was a glimmer of hope. The county pro John Gregon saw us home with overs running out talking Ryan Lines through shot placements but he decided enough was enough and took the attack apart with a 67 at 39 overs including 8 fours a 2 sixes. Phoenix were stunned and the leagues top wicket taker Rose had one opportunity to make amends from being tonked to pillar and post.

168 v 168 and the game was a tie. In truth it was a excellent game to be apart of but on the other hand you may have well as been in the nuclear reactor at Chernobyl when it exploded if either team had won. So much controversy during the game would have caused a riot.

Phoenix without their antics are an excellent and competitive team and they deserved to win the game from their position. Ryan Lines a match winning performance. with Saints losing to St Crispin that all but seals promotion for the 2nds with 2 game remaining. Bold Dragoon and Old Northants to play.