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Saturday 21st July ~ Swillington (Away) Joleen Tops His Best Again Losing the toss and being put into bat is one way to ensure that you get maximum points out of a fixture, and Reg obliged with the first part of this story. For most of the Tong side this was a first trip to 'Swilly', and judging by the various performances, both on the field and in the bar, most will be keen to come again. The Tong team included the returning Hornby complete with any array of stories from his Aussie sojourn. For once he came back looking like he was still of Anglo Saxon stock - apparently it was winter in Oz! Neil and Darren's slow yet steady start allowed for a number of circumventions of the boundary without too much distraction from the cricket. Linford arrived and was upset that the dog had to stay in the car - I bet Paddy was more so, and there was also a visitation from our esteemed chairman and his lovely wife Jean. Laps of the ground were interceded by a 'group sit' on the pavilion steps, and for most of us the Tong innings consisted of mainly this.
The variable bounce from the rugby stand end (yes there was one!) had already caused Steve (Joleen) Taylor to announce his preference, though the heavy atmosphere and darkening clouds were causing considerable swing from the estate end. So the innings moved on with the occasional four. Until the first wicket fell at 88 there had been little more exciting than Neil being forced to 'run' two 2's. Neil's final demise on 48 (he he) was given at 5 to 2 on by Ladbrokes, as yet another leading edge saw the ball balloon to point. The arrival of Huddy at the crease saw an immediate increase in the pace of the game, though Daz maintained his steady occupance of the other end.
An array of bowlers came and went, but a fourth batting bonus point had been well secured before Huddy holed out back to the bowler. The in-form Pencil then went out to join Darren, and with overs diminishing the pair smote the ball to various parts of the village. The eventual total of 255 for the loss of just the two wickets was by far the best batting performance of the season to this point. Darren eventually finished undefeated on 85.
By all accounts the heavy shower that arrived at the end of the first innings accompanied an excellent tea - yours truly missed this as I was sent home to get clothing as covering twelfth man for Reg, who was supposed to be leaving early due to family commitments. Thankfully the Swillington innings was able to start straight after tea, and it wasn't long before 'Joleen' Taylor was amongst them. This was quickly followed by Smiler having the other Swilly opener snaffled up behind by Pencil, who was having his first run-out behind the sticks for some time. The fall of the third wicket made all present realise that Neil's arms have a faster reaction time to the rest of his body, as he took a high fast chance in the slips.
Only the Swilly skipper showed any signs of hanging around, taking a particular liking to Smilers overpitched efforts and despatching them back to the mid-off boundary with consummate ease. His partners at the other end were short in their company though. A second catch to Senior Shack and one to yours truly (on as sub for a damaged Nick Sowerby) were accompanied by a trio of death rattles as Joleen found his direction. Unluckiest bowler of the day was Pat Sowerby who managed to take wickets with the first and fifth balls of his only over, only to have both called as no-balls by the umpire for breaking the return crease. Joleen's final wicket, a fast full toss, skittled middle stump, and left him with career best figures of 7 for 35 and two stone lighter. |
