After much morning effort, contact was finally made with the Westcliffe captain and the Galleywood 4’s descended on Eastwood to play a reduced 35 over game in the most unlikely of conditions with rain having brought about so many cancellations.
Having lost the toss, our opening bowlers Turner and Brown both bowled tidy spells claiming both Westcliffe openers with the long outfield grass ensuring few boundaries would be conceded. With Green and Bolton as first change, they were faced with the energetic and often vocal, Ryan who set about peppering the legside field with his aggressive batting. Although further wickets were to fall, Ryan continued to score freely. With runs starting to accumulate freely who could Galleywood call upon?
Up stepped JB who proceeded to mark out his long RUN, no I meant walk up. With PIN removed, JB started his 7 over spell wreaking havoc with his mixed wizardry of flight and pace, often down leg-side. Meanwhile Ryan continued to enjoy slogging into the legside but JB had other ideas, let’s try bowling outside off stump and to everyone’s surprise Ryan attempted a slog into the covers. The ball soared into the air and the crowd fell silent as Boxer started to move to his right to take a one-handed catch over his head. With Ryan removed for 44, the runs dried up and despite some calamitous running between wickets, JB was not finished with his day.
Now exhausted from his 7 over spell and from watching the ball fly past him at mid-off, he was now taking a well-earned rest at second slip, being the quietest place to now field! All was well until a thick edge hung in the air above JB. With hands raised and ready to take the catch that would elevate him to hero status, the pause button was pressed and the ball allowed to fall gently back to his eagerly awaiting hands. Soft hands were all that were needed but NOOOOO, JB’s hard mits had spilled the catch. Galleywood players were aghast, some even drawn to tears, their hero was fallible after all. The remaining overs were, after that relatively uneventful and Westcliffe reached 119 for 9.
After a 30-minute break on wet grass, the Galleywood reply was led by Hitchcock and Williams, the latter retiring after a couple of overs followed by Turner. Boxer was joined by James Brown who set about beating the long grass by attempting to bypass the outfield with some lusty blows, one of which was last seen heading back towards Rayleigh. On an otherwise good strip, James was to fall for 20 from one that stayed low, followed shortly afterwards by Boxer, caught in the outfield. Cerson batted well for his 19 and along with support from Smith and Bolton, the target was in sight.
With wickets falling the hero JB was to arrive to steady the innings allowing Bolton to hit the 2 runs required from the last over for what was a very enjoyable game played in very unseasonable weather. Well done to skipper Mower who ensured everyone’s involvement despite JB’s attempt in stealing the limelight!