Dogs shine in the wet

Foreboding skies, covers off, numbers accounted for. Northern Force, the Maddogs of course And the promise of not much more. The threat of rain, The threat of pain. An ever present friend. Soon underway, but who could say How soon would come the end. How soon the end For a Maddog friend, remembered through the gloom. To Phil Learoyd, wherever you play, Our first ball a tribute to you. The Force bat first. The ‘Dogs would chase, a chase that would be steep. For the foe bat deep and play for keep. Northern wickets don’t come cheap. 50 after six! 150 for nought !! 5 retirees in the shed. Catches dropped, please let it rain. We could still be home in bed.

The ‘Dogs fight back, The ‘Dogs bite back! The runs become a trickle. Wickets some, and some more runs. The clouds still playing fickle. Confident the Force, When forced to yield, thirty overs invested. That one hundred and eighty nine hard fought runs Would see those Maddogs bested. Alex and Kaurab Provided the heat when the North’s best bats were hawaling. Serge, Brendan,Andrew and the miserly McGregor Kept up the pressure unflailing Daniel,Darcy Quentin and Keith took wickets late in the piece. No blowout there’d be, some light we could see When the Maddogs would be released.

Introducing Kaurab, A talented lad, on loan from the visiting team. A first ball SIX ! 16 from the first six !! The innings begins like a dream. With Alex the pair Set about to repair, and soon have the game well in hand. 50 after 5, the game is alive And the Maddogs the ones in command. Enter Anthony Stone, Restoring the tone, and adding just one to his score. Exit Anthony Stone, apologetic but wrong Thinking we were expecting much more.

Philip and Serge played superbly In this regular derby, and did all anybody could ask. Ahead of the rate, in our hands the games fate. But would we be up to the task. All class and retired Both batsmen inspired the middle order to continue the charge. Daniel, Peter and Quentin, and the butter fingered Brendan Take 50 off the total so large. The ‘Dogs were unchained And through driving rain, ironically the runs had dried up. Andrew removed. Batting hard that was proved. Would we once more be the chastened pup. But out of the gate To again reinstate the ascendancy and see pressure release. Out strode Captain Keith, with unshaken belief And took up his guard at the crease. At the opposite end Equal parts foe and friend, poised at the top of his mark, Tim Carroll stood stoic, his deeds penned heroic, To lift his team’s hopes on the park. Starting his fifteenth straight over TC was in clover, having scored 30 runs to begin. With a caught and bowled made his hands had betrayed His own Maddog cricket origin. Skipper V skipper, As a contest what a ripper, combatants eschewing all luck. Would Tim get his way ? Would Keith carry the day? Nooo He is bowled for a duck. Darcy and Serge the retired Mop up the required, though Darcy the last to fall Then the winning runs come and the game is done Handshakes all round one and all. Contribution by all With both bat and ball, and recruitment significant reason. An epic victory found, a massive total run down In this highlight of the Maddog’s season.