BAC wrack up the runs against a sorry Kirkham… (m.r. 05/09/10)

It’s a sad sad occasion the last game of the season but today was that day. The final Sunday game of the season saw us take the trip to Kirkham to play wooden spoon candidates Kirkham & Wesham away. We were less than prepared to say the least but after some dangerous driving by myself, a penalty shootout win for the BAC youth and Jonnys hat-trick for Conti we all arrived at a sun baked Kirkham. A win was vital as the lads were clutching at the miniscule chance they could get promotion due to other teams not completing their 11 games.

The pitch looked green and quite hard so was there to benefit both bat and ball in hopefully an even contest.  Due to 6 of our players chasing a football around a pitch for 90 minutes in the morning we only had the 5 at Kirkham for the start of the match so inevitably we would be batting.

In the absence of few Wilson and Steinson took to the middle having rushed to apply their pads and other pieces of padded equipment and first ball there was a bit of a shock as the ball kept low off a length and Steinson inside edged it past his stumps, a sign of something to come? The pair began to knuckle down and steal as many singles as possible until Wilson got his middle peg knocked back from a nipped inner through the gate. This sent the now arrived Doug the jug to the crease and he was soon into his stride following his fine hat-trick earlier. The pair really accelerated the rate and got us to 100 after 15 overs.

With 300 very much on the cards Edmile Heskey passed 50 (jug please) then fell soon afterwards for a well played 58. That took Alex “Dave” Thornton to the crease and he steadily supported Dougie while he pounded the Kirkham attack to all parts including one six that nearly went through my back window much to the disappointment of Scott Hammil who relished the opportunity of refitting the rear window. As the wedding party rolled in Dougie continued past 50, 60, 70, 80. “Dave” departed for 20 playing a huge cross batted shot which took Chadders to the crease. Dougie then went onto a ton with a back foot cover drive, a rapturous applause. A second ton of the season to take the lad to the highest run scorer in the league. After one more boundary Dougie was out. But it was another brilliant innings by the run machine greeted by a huge applause by all. Scott was next in and managed to plug his eyes back into his face after staring aimlessly at the long legged phillies at the wedding reception, infact he managed to do it in time to smack two straight fours soon after going to the middle. Chadders then fell for 3 and a strategic change of the batting order occurred as Gaskell was promoted from 11 to keep the dream of three double oh alive with some lusty blows. Lusty blows they were but Gaskell was riding his luck getting dropped twice before he reached 10.

Scott then departed and so did Mansfield first ball thanks to a catch at slip, yes a catch! They caught one! Field was in for the hat-trick ball so why not launch it over the top for four? Jack Wilson obliged with a big swing and a boundary. After a couple more swings, dings and a drop or two Jack was bowled. This brought “shot of the day” Cameron to the crease and he lived up to his nickname playing a couple back then unleashing the most aesthetically pleasing cover drive, dropping down to one knee and standing firm as the ball whistled away to the boundary, shot young man. At the other end Gaskell continued to take Willows orders and smash it to all parts, he moved onto a quick fire 40 until he was caught and bowled by Stevens.

So the dream of the three double oh was just a bridge too far for BAC’s future talent but they did set a season high of 286 all out.

After setting 286 against bottom of the table Kirkham we were feeling quietly confident. James “Mitchell Johnson” Gaskell and Cam “shot of the day” Yeulett were to open for BAC bowling to Lund and the classy Brooks. With an attacking field Mitch was cranking up some serious pace and did for Lund in the first over toppling his off peg. The two youngsters bowled with complete control but couldn’t break through Brooks or Whalley. Cam was replaced by Chadders and Gaskell by Willow, the former struck first, luring Whalley into a big hit and getting him caught in the out field by Dougie. New man Woods was soon run out following a misfiled by Alex “Dave” Thornton but the direct hit made up for that mistake. Chadders then took his second and third in quick succession bowling Moore and Jack Wilson catching Stevens.

The wickets were falling as Brooks at the other end was moving towards his 50 in style. Willow then took his first and only wicket of the game yorking Baer for 1. Chadders then took his forth Hodgeson caught in the outfield once again by Doug. Then came number five! Yes number FIVE! Chadders sealed his fivefor getting the talented Brooks stumped for 50 dead. Well bowled Chadders.

Scott then replaced Willow and with spin at both ends the game didn’t last much longer as number ten and eleven soon departed thanks to a run out and a Scott quicker ball respectively.

109 all out and a comprehensive 178 run victory for BAC.

An impressive display by all but todays moment(s) of the game were Dougies second ton of the season smeared in grace and penash and Chadders first ever fivefor, it had flight, guile and a little luck but a joy to behold.  

Overall a superb day for everyone and a great way to end the season, Gaskell’s 40 was lusty and a little lucky being dropped around 126 times, Eddies meaty 58, Jonnys ton, Chadders fivefor, Camerons opening spell, Gaskells opening spell aswell then finally Jack behing the stumps showing more and more improvements.

So season over, stay tuned for a end of season review.

Yours in Cricket,

Willow