Of Muppets and Men

A feline first innings with the ball. Mad Dogs exit stage left. The Muppets run riot. But then a gritty dogs fight-back. Something to cling to. Sixes were plundered and magical catches taken. The second innings brought us some semblance of dignity. But as the umpires drew stumps at the end of a hot, sticky day the Muppet caravan rolled inexorably over the top of us and home across the Gladesville Bridge.

What lessons can be gleaned from this second consecutive defeat? Important questions were being asked in the Monday papers. Should the coach be held responsible? What about the selectors? Was it our choice of footwear, Keith? Only time will tell.

Four batsmen stood out in the Muppets first innings - Narezzi (27), the helmeted Lester (25), Sean “Rat-Dog” Garvey (25) and Sundries, who also retired at 25. Just four Mad Dogs bowlers took a wicket on that hot, oppressive morning.

Muppets 4-165.

So it fell to Stone and the redoubtable Suttle. All we needed was an opening partnership of 60 in four overs. But even this seemingly simple task was beyond us - Suttle and his runner Ansell soon departed, run out for 1.

(Captain's Log - no unorthodox footwear was involved in this dismissal).

Stone then departed for a sandal-free duck. Goff played second fiddle to an aggressive Parry who hit the ball to every corner of the ground - except where Sean Garvey placed the field! Retired at 25 in no time!

King joined Goff and runs flowed freely until both batsmen adopted the little-used run-chase strategy of playing a dead bat to every deliver for four consecutive overs.

Thus it was to cheers of relief from the grandstand, that Goff stumbled to retirement and the innings resumed at a better pace, with King compiling a handy 19; Ansell 10; Baume 8 more than last week; Kaelin 7; and Timpson a quick-fire 1 leaving Thangavelu stranded on 2.

Dogs in the House at 8-105.

Grim times indeed but after a quick lunch with the Glebe Friends of the CWA, the Dogs started playing cricket again. Our bowling was tight, our fielding athletic. Parry, Saunders and Thangavelu each took two wickets and Ansell a SENSATIONAL one-handed catch at Mid On. And after years of trying we finally managed to dismiss Lester - for a duck!

Muppets all out for 130, leaving the Dogs needing a mere 191 to win.

Our first five batsmen were more than equal to this truly mammoth task. Sadly, however, Saunder's sporting declaration at 3-116 - with an offer of a third, deciding innings - was rejected out of hand by our rough-shod foes. Credit in the second dig to Thangavelu (26); Kaelin (24); Baume the Magnificent (24); and Timpson and King who both scored 13.

Lessons learned?

1. Catches win matches.

2. It's best to bowl on the pitch.

3. Watch the ball, not the bowler's feet.

Bring on Sunday!