Charlton Down Cricket Club

 Charlton Down use up all their Nine Lives

CDCC versus PLUSH  Thursday 26 June 2008

CDCC held their nerve to win an exciting game at Plush by 2 runs, Rudo bowling the final vital ‘dot’ ball.

Lovely ground, shame about the howling gale coming up the valley as the great big Andy’s advanced to the wicket to bat first.

Bonking Andy set off in his usual way but old Smithy took the 20 over innings length to heart and played himself in a la Sundays. Anyway, even old Smithy eventually got going and these two lithe athletes took the score rapidly to 78 before bonking Andy bonked once too often when on 44 (age or runs scored, I’m not sure).

A mid innings collapse followed including old Smithy for 35 (definitely runs scored).

During all this Elvis was seen to hit straight on one occasion – a Chinese cut to fine leg.

Enter the ‘Harare Hitters’ (or ‘Salisbury Sloggers’, if you are an old colonial like me, or ‘Mugabe Muggers’ if you are Zanu PF) with Dan, in particular, giving the ball plenty of welly. Charlton Down ended up with a very good 134-5 wickets.

Off we went in the field, with prospects looking good and Plush to face our fearsome attack. What fearsome attack? -  Plush 40 plus after just four overs. Buffet bowling at its best had Plush thinking they could win with overs to spare.

Radical tactics were called for - enter the spin twins of Cossens and Adam. Gradually they reduced the scoring rate but Plush were still in the box seat. The Zimbabwe boys combined twice to take wickets, great catches from Dan and the Captain took three wickets with Greg assisting with two stumpings.

Getting towards the end, Plush still well on track and Dan, in a heroic effort to save a boundary, calmingly remarks that he thinks he has broken his finger. Half the side threatened to faint as they inspect the said crooked digit. Off goes Dan to get bandaged up and comes back as a one handed third man.

Rudo is brought into the attacked, nerves get the better of him and he bowls four wides in a row. A couple of tight overs from Mark and it’s down to Rudo to bowl the last over, Plush start to panic and Rudo has to bowl the last ball with three needed to win. The Plush batsman is run out by Greg and we win by 2 runs – phew!

All off to the ‘Piddle Inn’ to contemplate a promotion challenge (Nose bleeds are starting already).

‘Dorset Cricket Reporter’ – officially sanctioned by Mr A. Cossens.