LOSCC Saturday 2nd XI vs Westcliff-on-Sea 2nd XI, 11th August 2007
VENUE: Leigh-on-Sea Pavilion, Chalkwell Park
LINE UP: 01) Stuart Elliott (Captain)
02) Tim Hewitt
03) Richard Stubbington
04) Joe Green
05) Clark Emmons (Wicket-keeper)
06) John Threadgold
07) Dave Catchpole
08) James Pettitt
09) Neil Attwood
10) Luke Emmons
11) Paul Sibley
_____________________________________________________________________
Saturday 11th August was to be a special day, a day of trepidation and excitement, in equal measure. It was a day that comes around once a year and with it the chance to firmly readjust the balance of power within Chalkwell Park. It would be a day that could provide an answer to that age old question – who is the best?
The Leigh Pavilion was to be the host of the titanic battle between bitter local rivals, us (LOS) and them (WOS). The fixture had some added spice thanks to Stephen Elliott for his admirable relationship management skills on Friday at the Westcliff Pavilion. Young Steve was on the shots from lunchtime and began to offer words of encouragement and advice to their bar staff, which was not meet with the same appreciation as Steve had expected.
The side posted by us was as strong as possible but following crisis in the First XI, we were able to bolster the side with the return, from cricketing wilderness, of one Tim Hewitt. Not only did this add youthful experience to an already young side, it considerably and visabily lifted the whole team.
We arrived at the club rooms at noon sharp, setting out the deckchairs, clearing the pitch and making the place look a picture despite the loitering Carnie Folk.
Having won the toss we decided to get them in and rip them out. The plan didn’t go that well initially although we managed to get them 20-1 in the 5th over with Neil getting the all important break-through. After that their No. 3 took a shinning to our bowlers and the score began to race up and up. Had it not been for the test match like qualities of their other opener we could have been in serious early trouble.
With the situation looking bleak, a chance run lead to a torn calf muscle and the WOS No. 3 retired hurt. With the other opener having been removed by Dave, in came the No. 4 to play a few expansive shots and the No. 5 who looked nervous from the offset. The No. 4 was soon removed by Luke, who then took a second wicket, in the form of the No. 6 and we were back on top. The score had arrived at triple figures quickly for minimal loss but an air of respectability had been returned.
The No. 5 and No. 7 steadied their ship and began to inflict misery before Luke got another breakthrough with a beauty of a ball to remove the No. 7 for 30, and Dave returned to the action getting No. 5 LBW trapped in front for 60. With the No. 3 returning to the action added by a runner we set about looking for the comical run out that was bound to happen offering WOS singles at every opportunity. There wasn’t long to wait.
Following a push out to the cover boundary, after the first both batsmen set off for the second. Eventually both were trying to run to the strikers end, Hewitt executed a perfect throw and both were out by a mile. There was then a discussion over who was actually out and the No. 3 was given his marching orders. Dave picked up a further wicket and Pigeon swooped to pick up the last leaving WOS 204 AO in 48 overs.
After the usual helping of tucker at tea, we set about chasing down 205. The opening partnership was yet another experimental pairing of Stuart and Tim. In the 1st over we picked up a few wides to make a steady start and then the 1st ball of the 2nd over Tim exploded back onto the scene reminding people what they had missed. A legendary pull shot through mid wicket for 4. The game was firmly on.
By the start of the 3rd over the opening partnership had reached 13, somewhat of a record in recent weeks and Tim set about taking control of the bowling. It was on the 3rd ball of the over the game turned. Something happened that had undoubtedly never happened before in cricket. Hewitt pushed forward to force a prod into the offside only to be beaten by the in swing. The ball rushed through the gate, the appeal went up and Hewitt walked for 4. However, as Tim got closer to the pavilion clarity of the incident arrived and he realise the ball had clipped the pad was nowhere near the bat and he had walked when not out. This was later confirmed by Brian Pickles umpiring at the time.
Selfington Stubbington rode into town that morning on a horse called luck with his trusty new Salix. Fresh from a date with a friend of his mother, he couldn’t help but feel it was his day as he confidently smashed the cover off the ball hitting 4 after 4 after 4 and brought up a rapid half century with a 6 into the carnie folk. It wasn’t the last action they were to see that day. At this point Stuart decided he’d seen enough and set about in the same manner as Stubbington, smashing the ball to all corners of Chalkwell Park, reaching a fine 50 as well. With Westcliff struggling for bowlers, ideas and inspiration, the LOS batsmen continued to dominate the proceedings and reached 170 for 1 in 20 overs. The game looked almost over as the fat lady was going through her cords.
After reaching 50 the energy exerted (perhaps more tellingly on Friday night) by Rich was beginning to take it’s toll, and he slowed right up barely able to carry the bat let alone swing it with the vigour he had shown earlier. This gave Stuart the initiative he needed when realising both batsmen would not be able to make 100. Two lusty blows into the carnies and some more 4’s made Stuart the favourite to reach the magical mark relished by all but conquered by few.
With LOS needing a mere 30 from the final hour, Westcliff had physically given up. The ball continued to be dispatched everywhere and with Stuart requiring 3 for 100 and LOS requiring 4 for victory it was finally smashed over the rope and into the bushes by Leigh Road. The game wrapped up by 6.12, with 17 overs remaining and Leigh scoring 207 – 1 in 27 overs. Stuart 103*, Tim 4* and Rich 87*.
All that was left was the sweet taste of success (or lager) and the smell of victory (or the foul stench of the players unable to shower without hot water). The answer to the question was a loud and resounding US!!!!!!!!!!!!
LINE UP: 01) Stuart Elliott (Captain)
02) Tim Hewitt
03) Richard Stubbington
04) Joe Green
05) Clark Emmons (Wicket-keeper)
06) John Threadgold
07) Dave Catchpole
08) James Pettitt
09) Neil Attwood
10) Luke Emmons
11) Paul Sibley
_____________________________________________________________________
Saturday 11th August was to be a special day, a day of trepidation and excitement, in equal measure. It was a day that comes around once a year and with it the chance to firmly readjust the balance of power within Chalkwell Park. It would be a day that could provide an answer to that age old question – who is the best?
The Leigh Pavilion was to be the host of the titanic battle between bitter local rivals, us (LOS) and them (WOS). The fixture had some added spice thanks to Stephen Elliott for his admirable relationship management skills on Friday at the Westcliff Pavilion. Young Steve was on the shots from lunchtime and began to offer words of encouragement and advice to their bar staff, which was not meet with the same appreciation as Steve had expected.
The side posted by us was as strong as possible but following crisis in the First XI, we were able to bolster the side with the return, from cricketing wilderness, of one Tim Hewitt. Not only did this add youthful experience to an already young side, it considerably and visabily lifted the whole team.
We arrived at the club rooms at noon sharp, setting out the deckchairs, clearing the pitch and making the place look a picture despite the loitering Carnie Folk.
Having won the toss we decided to get them in and rip them out. The plan didn’t go that well initially although we managed to get them 20-1 in the 5th over with Neil getting the all important break-through. After that their No. 3 took a shinning to our bowlers and the score began to race up and up. Had it not been for the test match like qualities of their other opener we could have been in serious early trouble.
With the situation looking bleak, a chance run lead to a torn calf muscle and the WOS No. 3 retired hurt. With the other opener having been removed by Dave, in came the No. 4 to play a few expansive shots and the No. 5 who looked nervous from the offset. The No. 4 was soon removed by Luke, who then took a second wicket, in the form of the No. 6 and we were back on top. The score had arrived at triple figures quickly for minimal loss but an air of respectability had been returned.
The No. 5 and No. 7 steadied their ship and began to inflict misery before Luke got another breakthrough with a beauty of a ball to remove the No. 7 for 30, and Dave returned to the action getting No. 5 LBW trapped in front for 60. With the No. 3 returning to the action added by a runner we set about looking for the comical run out that was bound to happen offering WOS singles at every opportunity. There wasn’t long to wait.
Following a push out to the cover boundary, after the first both batsmen set off for the second. Eventually both were trying to run to the strikers end, Hewitt executed a perfect throw and both were out by a mile. There was then a discussion over who was actually out and the No. 3 was given his marching orders. Dave picked up a further wicket and Pigeon swooped to pick up the last leaving WOS 204 AO in 48 overs.
After the usual helping of tucker at tea, we set about chasing down 205. The opening partnership was yet another experimental pairing of Stuart and Tim. In the 1st over we picked up a few wides to make a steady start and then the 1st ball of the 2nd over Tim exploded back onto the scene reminding people what they had missed. A legendary pull shot through mid wicket for 4. The game was firmly on.
By the start of the 3rd over the opening partnership had reached 13, somewhat of a record in recent weeks and Tim set about taking control of the bowling. It was on the 3rd ball of the over the game turned. Something happened that had undoubtedly never happened before in cricket. Hewitt pushed forward to force a prod into the offside only to be beaten by the in swing. The ball rushed through the gate, the appeal went up and Hewitt walked for 4. However, as Tim got closer to the pavilion clarity of the incident arrived and he realise the ball had clipped the pad was nowhere near the bat and he had walked when not out. This was later confirmed by Brian Pickles umpiring at the time.
Selfington Stubbington rode into town that morning on a horse called luck with his trusty new Salix. Fresh from a date with a friend of his mother, he couldn’t help but feel it was his day as he confidently smashed the cover off the ball hitting 4 after 4 after 4 and brought up a rapid half century with a 6 into the carnie folk. It wasn’t the last action they were to see that day. At this point Stuart decided he’d seen enough and set about in the same manner as Stubbington, smashing the ball to all corners of Chalkwell Park, reaching a fine 50 as well. With Westcliff struggling for bowlers, ideas and inspiration, the LOS batsmen continued to dominate the proceedings and reached 170 for 1 in 20 overs. The game looked almost over as the fat lady was going through her cords.
After reaching 50 the energy exerted (perhaps more tellingly on Friday night) by Rich was beginning to take it’s toll, and he slowed right up barely able to carry the bat let alone swing it with the vigour he had shown earlier. This gave Stuart the initiative he needed when realising both batsmen would not be able to make 100. Two lusty blows into the carnies and some more 4’s made Stuart the favourite to reach the magical mark relished by all but conquered by few.
With LOS needing a mere 30 from the final hour, Westcliff had physically given up. The ball continued to be dispatched everywhere and with Stuart requiring 3 for 100 and LOS requiring 4 for victory it was finally smashed over the rope and into the bushes by Leigh Road. The game wrapped up by 6.12, with 17 overs remaining and Leigh scoring 207 – 1 in 27 overs. Stuart 103*, Tim 4* and Rich 87*.
All that was left was the sweet taste of success (or lager) and the smell of victory (or the foul stench of the players unable to shower without hot water). The answer to the question was a loud and resounding US!!!!!!!!!!!!
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