BEARable Defeat
By Barmy Kev
September 21 2013
Barmy Kev reports on last day of season. A feeling of anti-climax yet he had a good reason to be cheerful despite a comprehensive defeat for the Middle.
Remember how we were all on a high after our first two games of the season? We had a famous win against Derbyshire (TRJ hat trick) that followed our great win at Notts ( Dext bowling destroying their middle order). At this stage I decided to submit an annual leave request, which was granted, to enable me to attend our final two days of our season. I then had visions of the C word, celebrating this triumphant feat with our masses in Yorkshire experiencing an Indian Summer, just like Grace Road two years ago, but even better?
The day arrives. The harsh reality is we are struggling in a game where realistically we are playing to secure 3rd place in a season full of if onlys; and it’s very cold ooop North. By day 4, all the usual suspects I’d expect to be there had returned home or understandably didn’t make the trip at all. I was in fact the “Carniegie 1”.
Yorkshire are effectively 212-5. They have all but secured 2nd place with us as their closest rivals. The scenario is if we bowl them out quickly they probably have enough runs anyway. We may have to rely on a generous declaration but a draw is all Yorkshire need for 2nd place. I can do without a late close finish because have made an arrangement to see a gig tonight in Ruislip with Mrs starting 9pm. So there is something more at stake for me. .
I take my seat with Dickie Bird perambulating and chatting to the locals. He is truly a legend in these parts. There is blue sky but it’s still cold. The warmth of the Yorkshire Long Room was another reminder of how poor our Middlesex Room is. The locals thought they would declare once there’s a 300 lead
Legend
Yorkshire survive the first 40 minutes what I would describe as non declaration batting, until Rashid was caught by AC at slip. The wicket was possibly in Yorkshire’s favour as scoring rate was pretty stagnant. Plunkett was struggling and was on 1 for ages until he lobbed a simple catch to Dext off of the impressive Helm. Sidebottom came out to rapturous applause and soon returned to pavilion to muted applause out first ball caught at slip. With tail in, Balance was pushing for ton but was out 90 off 114 balls caught at Cow Corner. There was disappointment he didn’t make deserved ton. Patterson didn’t last long and the target is 276 and it starts to rain. Corey is given a guard of honour and ovation by players as he walks to the pavilion as if to indicate his final performance. I really hope it is, as wouldn’t like to see him bat.
This is the final chance for our batsmen to impress. Robbo a candidate for player of season and our mainstay 1st innings is out for 3 another slip catch with score on 9. Stage is set for Denly to redeem himself as he confidently strikes his 1st ball for 2. It was fun watching Bucko making an all run 4 as Sidebottom was chasing the ball to boundary just kept it in to no avail. There was some confident LBW shouts but we survive till lunch 25-1. All 4 results are possible.
After lunch some streaky boundaries but still looks a tall order. This is taller as Denly bowled out to a peach of delivery from Sidebottom that kept low and was virtually unplayable. The feeling is whilst Bucko still there there’s hope. It looks hopeless as Bucko is caught behind chasing a wide one,-he doesn’t walk as umpire signals no ball. Phew. And next ball is hit for 4 to rub their noses in it. Could this be the turning point? The locals were commenting on how 1st change bowlers Brooks and Plunkett are expensive. At first change the scoring rate soon shot to over 4 an over. Draw most unlikely now. As runs were freely being scored there was a lot of heckling that turned to cheers as AC was plum LBW of Plunkett. Back to jeers as Dext 1st 2 balls both long hop are hit for 4- the run rate is 4.70. He added no more as was spectacularly caught 3rd slip, I was expecting ball to be at boundary. My pain was numbed due to text that Warwickshire are closing in on their target and certain team South of River 1st division status is in jeopardy. Buko’s 50 is greeted by generous applause and have to say their fans have been sporting throughout. Simmo has early life dropped a toughie at first slip. Bucko is out of luck adjudged caught behind he is really not happy with the decision and at 134-5 it looks over. Simmo who looked very uncomfortable soon followed. The introduction of Williamson as spinner ( I presume Rashid was picked as a batsman) and return of Patterson the run rate completely dried up. Half way there 6 wickets down I’m looking at bus and train timetables for an early ex. Before I do that lets have a look at score at Edgbaston oh dear Sorry have almost lost and are very nearly down. To be honest this gave me a great deal of satisfaction while we were staring at defeat as Berg out another caught behind the stumps at tea.
I thought I’d stick out to after tea. During interval spoke with some friendly ladies from Middlesborough who were fed up with their local press just reporting on Durham and oh they said they don't like Surrey too. After tea there were regular texts from Beefy counting down every run from Edgbaston There was a cheer round Headingley for a Helm forward defensive 5 seconds later the scoreboard flashes Warwickshire beat Sorry by 6 wickets an even bigger cheer for a forward definsive shot. Camera out, damn missed picture monent. Beefy texts photographic evidence.
Addios Amigos
The sun is out and we have little matter of 106 runs needed 3 wickets left. Helm looked comfortable until he was out plum LBW . So 92 left with 2 wickets left no it’s 1 Murtagh out same over. Did I mention Sorry are relegated? Corey comes out to bat to a standing ovation from the Carnigie one. Time to go out in style, well he dug out a Yorker competently ,but it as a matter of time as Ollie who holed out to mid off and we lost by 80 runs.
Corey was given ovation as left pich by Yorkshire fielders. They then went round ground applauding their fans, nice touch. I left ground in a surprisingly good mood considering we lost. Can’t think why? Oh and I was back home in time for night out.
Bye Bye Corey. Bye Bye season
BEARable Defeat
Posted by: Middlesex till we die (IP Logged)
Date: 21/09/2013 09:50
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2013:09:24:00:31:05 by BarmierKev.
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2013:09:24:00:31:05 by BarmierKev.
Re: BEARable Defeat
Posted by: BeefyRoberts (IP Logged)
Date: 21/09/2013 11:52
cheers Kev,thanks for the last report of season.Great to see Dickie Bird there and shame we couldnt let him go with a defeat!
Well,it does sound like Corey has had his final game for the Middle with the reception he got.If so.....thank you Corey for all you did for us,always seen with a smile whenever he was about.Good luck fella in all you do.
Well,it does sound like Corey has had his final game for the Middle with the reception he got.If so.....thank you Corey for all you did for us,always seen with a smile whenever he was about.Good luck fella in all you do.
Re: BEARable Defeat
Posted by: Seaxe_Man (IP Logged)
Date: 22/09/2013 13:07
Nice expansive and detailed report Kev to round off our season.
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