There was a palpable sense of excitement throughout St Albans over this impending clash of the Dads.
The SDads took to the field with nine men, proceeding to bowl and field with their unexpected newly acquired assurance, albeit with changed personnel.
Captain Phil took the first wicket with a fast low delivery that was snicked and smartly taken, low down by Simon Wilson, behind the sticks. Then later on he got a very late LBW decision after using a Jeddi mind trick on the umpire. Richard Noden, bowling his flippers, on a good length, that were biting on this drying wicket, induced a spooned ball taken calmly by Simon.
New boy David Nightingale, took the ball and proceeded to prove that once you have it you never lose it, by bowling right arm off spin on a good length whilst varying his flight. He was rewarded when another scoop was taken smartly over his shoulder by Peter Church. Then Stauvers, continuing with his remodeled action, bowled out a 'dangerous customer'. Peter C was unlucky with his heavy bouncing balls, oo er. Then 7ft 15inch South African, Sean Cooper, striding through the game like a colossus, took a fine wicket, scattering the timbers with one that 'cut back'. He took another wicket that neither he nor Stauvers can remember but was probably a great one.
All the while the fielding was crisp. Honourable mentions go to Phil at long-off saving at least half-a-dozen boundaries and Mike Jones, continuing where he left off last game, diving about in the covers like Tom Daley, was unlucky with a shy at the stumps that hit the batsman.
Jonno Hook, bowling with purpose plus Mike Jones, bowling flat spin were both accurate and unlucky. However, a VDads total of 108 was testimony to the quality of the SDads bowling and fielding.
With the VDads banking on only needing to take eight wickets, Simon and David came to the crease. Both scored impressively with David retiring on 27 and Simon falling just one short of retirement with 24. They were both watchful and gave few chances, which proved to be no mean feat against accurate slow bowling that tore through the SDads middle order. Phil was bowled by an off break that stayed low. In went Peter C to hit a straight 4 off his first ball only to be bowled, next ball, by a bouncing off break. Mike produced a carbon copy innings with a good 4 followed by an off break dismissal.
Things were looking bleak when Sean produced fireworks with 4,4,2 off successive balls. Quicker runs were coming with Richard delivering a run off every ball he faced. Then more tragedy as Richard fell to the canny bowling.
When a game is poised like this the umpiring decisions can prove decisive. Step forward Peter Church, fresh from winter training at the Nick Button umpiring school for the partially sighted. Peter gave Stauvers LBW, when he was clearly 3 yards out of his crease. Then he attempted to give Sean out stumped by a player who didn't even have the ball.
Jonno smashed a much needed 4 to mid wicket then gave sound support to Sean who was laying into them off his front foot. Sean retired after a super knock to be replaced by earlier retiree David 'The Wall' Nightingale. Three runs were needed off two overs but the bowling was accurate. Things became worrying as two were need off the last over, but our heroes paced it to perfection with Jonno pulling for two off the penultimate ball.
Back to back victories, a record? Where is Roger 'Statto' Barton when you need him?