*MATCH REPORT v Crabtree*
In the inimitable words of The late, great Richie Benaud, “what a metch! what a metch!”….With a Cinque-Trick (or a ‘Glut’ apparently) of maaaarvellous events.

We were short of players until the 11th hour, when Juniors Bottom & Williams, recently back from an alcoholic infused term (year) at Uni, stuck there hands up to contribute to the cause. Cheers Lads.

We had captaincy challenges - eventually taken on by Busted, who was more of the ‘have a chat on the boundary for 10 mins about the weather, proximity of the tennis courts….anything but cricket then offer him the chance to bat or bowl first without tossing the coin’ sort of skipper.

On a sizzling hot evening at the CPaCA, the Saddos eventually took the field, with half the team in shorts and the other half intent on not moving very much….and Busted still chatting away about our plentiful supply of condiments.

It was a fast out field, with a short boundary at the Tennis Court end. A defensive field was required from the very first over.

(Trevor)Shed opened the bowling with Vasu. *41 off 4* for the loss of no wickets was hopefully a prompt to our Skipper that a defensive field was required…..

First changes brought a solid bowling performance from Williams Jnr. Bagging a wicket, which could have been 2, but for a missed catch resident Keeper Williams Snr (that’ll be a pint of Stella please Dad). The latters only error before he earned his new moniker of “_Super Hands_”Dippers bowled the other 2, and managed to keep a lot tighter than his previous abomination a couple of weeks previously.

*55-1 after 4* overs, we’d stemmed the tide, slightly.

The Pair of Bottoms came in 2nd change. Tight again. Bottom Jnr unfortunately pulled up lame in an over that was getting progressively quicker and quicker - Summer Ball groin injury flared up again.

*78-1 off 10*. Looked like we were chasing a large one - and I’m not talking about the Coppers and Erica Roe……A defensive field was required.

Enter Granty, and the start of something molto bellisimo….

1st over. _Super Hands_ makes a great stumping of G. Nobbly completed the duo and bowls the ball of the century. Inswinging leg cutter - a beauty - even the batsman was laughing when he trudged off back to the Sheds.

The boys kept it tight….Granty bagged a couple more..including another _Super Hands_ stumptacular.

*127-5 off 16*. Still chasing a large one……

Tucks & Busted were next. 29 runs of 4. Tucks getting a wicket, with the help of you know who….SH himself…cheeky *Hatrick (#1)* of Stumpings for the Welsh Rarebit.

Due to Bott Jnr groin injury, we had a spare over…..up step Granty…needless to say…his last 2 wickets were on the 5th & 6th balls of the previous over….A Hatrick in the offing! A zipped in throw from Williams Jnr….Super Hands whipping the bails off…a classic Curtis *Hatrick (#3)* was delivered!!

After 20 overs, we had stemmed the tide, and were set *148 to win*.

Granty & Dippers opened the batting. Solid start achieved. Dippers retired 25.* 39-0 after 5. *On track.

Skipper Busted came in 3. Was quickly replaced by Vasu….who was in turn quickly replaced by Nobbly……*74-2 after 10*….on track.

Granty was still there. Some would say Boycott-esque, others would lean toward Tavare…. Foundation laid.... Retired for 26 after 12 overs.

In came Nobbly and TrevorShed. *10 overs. 74 required. **What we saw next was simply swashbuckling. Sheds swung that Willow like he was swatting a fly. Nobbly* a fantastic 26 (ret). Bottom Snr came in towards the close for Nobbly - and saw us home. TrevorShed retired 31…..a Hatrick (#3) of 6s and a *Hatrick (#4)* of retirements this season (!!!!) - who would have thought.

We had successfully chased down 148. The mirage of cricket in the sizzler at the CPaCA, was indeed real….and yes, there were condiments with the chunky chips.

Well played SADs. *A hatrick (#5)* of wins on the trot. Great game. Beer was cold. Perfect.

Til next time Sports Fans.