We started the day with a stern team talk from our skipper. We stood just one run behind them, with nine wickets in hand, and three whole days still available. Clearly, sensible, defensive batting must be the order of the day, with runs being taken when available, but no rash shots played.
We opened well, Jona achieving her half-century in the first over, but then sadly Lisa, in an overenthusiastic attempt to make a second run, ran herself out.
I arrived at the crease with the score only standing at 88-2. My scores of the world tour meant nothing now, as I have started again as a club player, so I did not realistically expect to do much. I was determined, however, to stand my ground for as long as I could, whilst better players score the runs.
Sadly, Jona was out for 63 soon after, with the score now on 93-3.
Then our own particular Christmas miracle happened. Our batsperson of the year, Frangelita, and I came together, and we were able to play sensibly, on a wicket which appeared to have slowed a bit. At lunch our fourth wicket partnership stood at an amazing unbeaten 180, with me on 95 and Frangelita on 74.
My century came up in the first over after lunch. In the following over, our partnership passed 200. The next over saw Fran get her century too.
Despite being a mere club player, this wicket, and their bowling attack (which was tiring fast) really suited my style of play.
Frangelita was finally out for 106, our partnership having put on a very useful 265 runs. 358-4.
Steg came out very aggressively, and immediately started knocking the old ball around – including a magnificent six. We took our stand to over one hundred, but I was tiring, and eventually edged a catch to the slips, having scored 192. 482-5.
That brought Richard on, and the prospect of another century had brought a glint to his eyes. Sadly he tamely knocked his first ball straight back, and was out caught-and-bowled. Steg was out shortly after, caught going for another six, having scored a very fast 84. I was heard to ask, plaintively, ‘whatever happened to my “let’s bat all day and part of tomorrow” plan?’
Ivy was caught behind, having made 30.
We went in for tea at 546-8, with just our three tail-end bowlers to try to extend our lead further.
Phil fell shortly after tea (the extra portion of curry may not have been a good idea) leaving the score on 558-9, with Tom and Vicus in the middle. I’d told them they had two options – get out, and they would have to open the bowling, and get
They tried for the latter option – and Vicus played a beautiful, graceful cameo innings. Our tail-enders completely frustrated their slower bowlers, and when they took the new ball and brought on the quicker men, with four slips, the ball just shot through the big gaps in the field to the boundary instead.
Vicus managed to score a century, but was then caught and bowled, leaving us all out for a magnificent 693, giving us a lead of 621 runs.
Here is our score-sheet.
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