St ANNES Vs JESTERS

After a couple of days in the sun, and a couple of nights on the pop, a waning Jesters XI arrived at St Anne’s for the toughest game of the tour. A couple of departures and arrivals Matt makes it 50 appearances altered the team somewhat, although the skipper did state that a brittle batting line-up did have him worried.

The toss was negotiated and we had the first knock, hoping that if the top order did fail, we’d be given a few easy runs to make a game of it.

The St Anne’s openers had a bit of pace and top scorer of the week Jake was soon on his way, playing one onto his stumps, soon to be followed by Alex, in a carbon copy manner. Beno in at 3, obviously played without a care in the world about what we had following him ( for that read – recklessly), and rushed to 20 with some big shots. As Pod won the boundary bowls, we collapsed.

Obviously the T20 style of play the previous day was continued, with Rhodesy playing the only way he can. He’s a young lad with talent, but if he found a dictionary and looked up the words who's had a Michelle at St Annes? Responsibility, Build and Innings he could be better still. He rhode (!!) his luck getting dropped a couple of times and nicking one to second slip, but somehow getting away with that too. Pod remarked that Andy reminded him a lot of McEnneany. Let’s hope he replicates him on the field only, and to be fair, he can’t be as stupid, can he?

Snugglebunny played the innings of the innings showing much maturity, patience and technique. Pod was impressed by his attitude, despite the thoughts that must have been going who's the daftest of them all? through his head, showing that he is mentally strong, or perhaps just a natural voyeur. The tail didn’t wag, but didn’t fail either as it supported Snuggles. Matt Hill played one late, through backward point for four, raising the question is he more Raul Moat than Rahul Dravid. Skipper Bell contributed to a last wicket partnership of 41, for us to reach a respectable target of 148, before finally being caught behind for 2.

A delay for rain and an extended tea was enjoyed by all. The fare was wonderful, and the hospitality much appreciated.

The hosts reply started assured and opener Bolus batted very well throughout, seeing his side through until the winning line was within touching distance. The Otley 1^st team attack returned combined figures of 20-3-96-2, and one is amazed they are challenging near the top of the league. On the flip side were the other three bowlers used, (8-0-36-3) proving that the postcode lottery that is JCC still remains. Perhaps it was just the Blackpool nightlife taking its toll. On that point, Pod asked Dale if he’d been to his favourite haunt, Roxy’s. “Went there Tuesday, it was shit. Two men and a dog in.” He paused for a second before adding “ Both men were dressed as women, and the dog was dressed as a cat.” Brilliant.

Round	5
Toss won by	JESTERS
Umpires	COCO

Batsman	Fieldsman	Bowler	Runs
TAYLOR,A		b WILLIS,B	7
AGAR,J		b WILLIS,B	0
BENTON,N	c KELLETT,A	b WILLIS,B	20
WINTERBOTTOM,D	c BOLUS,N	b WARD,A	4
RHODES,A	c ARMSTRONG	b WARD,A	23
MYERS,G+	not out		51
HILL,M	c&	b WARD,A	9
BROUGH,J	c WILLIS,B	b WARD,A	6
HILL,JIM	lbw	b WARD,A	0
DOBSON,S	st O'DAY,L	b KHAN,A	4
BELL,D*	c O'DAY,L	b ARMSTRONG	2
extras		(b15 lb7 w0 nb0)	22
TOTAL		10 wickets for	148

Bowler	O	M	R	W
BOLUS,N	4	1	18	0
WILLIS,B	6	1	16	3
WARD,A	8	2	27	5
BOWLISS,M	6	2	29	0
TAFFE,M	6	0	29	0
KHAN,A	6	2	13	1
ARMSTRONG	1	1	0	1

Batsman	Fieldsman	Bowler	Runs
TAYLOR	c MYERS,G	b BENTON,N	2
BOLUS,N	c RHODES,A	b MYERS,G	70
KELLETT,A*	c MYERS,G	b BENTON,N	23
ARMSTRONG	c RHODES,A	b WINTERBOTTOM,D	22
TAFFE,M		b HILL,JIM	9
WARD,A	not out		8
GRINDLEY+	not out		1
BOWLISS,M	dnb		-
WILLIS,B	dnb		-
O'DAY,L	dnb		-
KHAN,A	dnb		-
extras		(b15 lb3 w0 nb0)	18
TOTAL		5 wickets for	153

Bowler	O	M	R	W
RHODES,A	4	1	10	0
BENTON,N	6	1	25	2
DOBSON,S	4	0	22	0
BROUGH,J	6	1	39	0
WINTERBOTTOM,D	5	0	13	1
MYERS,G	2	0	22	1
HILL,JIM	1	0	1	1