Match Report: A (Northern) Force to be Reckoned With

By Tim Carrol

The band from the north travelled south in two cars, depleted in numbers with 8 in total with a few current Mad Dogs and a few cricketing friends including a young gun - Tom who Chan magnificently picked out at deep mid-wicket after a very handy knock....

The Force had a Welsh injection in the shape of MR "I want to get involved skipper" Harvey....

The Mad Dog youth policy supplemented our ranks with Rory & Milo who both had great debuts

The Toss - The native Bourne sporting new mujahedeen look tossed the coin, TC decided that despite overcast conditions it would be worth having a bat and setting a total ....

Photos here on Dropbox.

The Force's Knock

We opened with Jared and Spellers - Luke and JP opened well bowling good line and length...

Luke was rewarded bowling Jared the Force 29-1 with Spellers batting well, he was joined by a fellow Irishman Johnno who, like last year, displayed excellent hand eye co-ordination stepping backing and hitting some lusty blows that would have been at home in the big bash. Johnno quickly moved to 23 before hitting a big six to retire before Spellers joined him retired back at the pavilion. Watto in next hitting 25 including some good blows, was surprised by a handy spell by Chan who varied his pace to good effect but managed to make it to the shed retired. Tom in next hit 19 before being caught off a full bunger. Jez & TC showed a bit of form the latter regretting a four pines induced hangover. Both we're dismissed in identical fashion - bowled Lewis caught Chan well induced by some good sledging from keeper and 1st slip. The opening 6 had compiled a good healthy total supplemented by a late cameo from Mark Harvey getting a quick-fire 14 including a big six. With Milo and Rory tickling a few runs at the end, the Force had set a total of 185-6 off 30 overs. The Mad Dogs had dropped 8 catches in total and a big run chase was required. It would have been interesting to have seen what the total would have been with a few more catches.

In summary the Mad Dogs bowled well, the force batted well and the fielding was more Monty Panesar than Jonnty Rhodes. Good spells from Chan 5 overs for 15 and promising debut from Paul 1-29 and Lewis 2-22.

The Mad Dogs riposte

JP and Chan opened - Spellers bowled 3 overs of brisk left arm round going for 5 off 3 overs and had both bats in trouble. Both stuck to task and with Spellers bowling so tightly they picked on Watto's bowling slapping him for a couple of boundaries off a good length which he is still pi&@ed off about. JP was first out from memory nicking one off Chris. Chan was retired following a good bowling display with a good knock. Richard Steyn grafted before being well caught down the leg side. Richard Ansell had a good knock before being well stumped by Jez who had an accomplished day behind the stumps…..also executing an athletic run out. I (TC) bought myself on to open the game up and was duly dispatched to the four corners of the ground by Ed Suttle and Keith with Ed notching his highest score for the mad dogs of 24. Despite being expensive TC picked up the wicket of the opposing skipper a rare straight one pitched up did the trick - I did have two chances dropped including one by

Mr Harvey who specifically requested a fielding position where he would get some action. He duly put the chance down 2 balls later. Other notable mentions - Sri Lankan Chris 5 overs 2-18, Watto's direct hit from deep mid-on. Johnno got the high wide of the match, but bearing in mind it was the first time he had ever bowled in a game was impressive. Both Rory and Milo bowled well with Rory in particular picking up two consecutive wickets with Chan being caught by Tom on the boundary and was on a hat trick ball. Tidy bowling and some good fielding by Force.

The Mad Dogs all out for 134 and shy of the total. A fun game and one that was finished just before the heavens opened. Thanks to all those who helped organise.