01/07/1999 v St Michaels

lost

Gavins team batted first with Clive Winton and Trevor Wyatt making a solid start Trevor scoring a lusty 15. Gavin himself was due to bat at number eight but plans changed as the photographer from the local paper arrived. (I'm afraid he was almost dismissed as a nutcase when he approached me asking for the "order of play!").

He really wanted to know when Gavin was due to bat as he planned to get some action photos. A wicket duly fell and the photographer gave Gavin instructions to last at least one over. Unfortunately he was out to his second ball a fast straight delivery from Neil Priddy. Gavin later described Peg as "foaming at the mouth" when he came into bowl.

Not used to getting his marching orders soon and without any red card Gavin quite disgracefully argued with all and sundry until a no ball was called. At least the photographer was happy. He didn't last much longer however and it fell to Clive Stringer (playing for the oppositoin) to pick up the scoring rate. A six over the short legside boundary was included in a score of 25 from 10 balls but not for the first time he fell to his brother thanks to a good catch by Peg on the boundary.

The team finally amassed 112 from 20 overs with most of the Old Dartechs team having a bowl. Most impressive were Andy Steenes leg breaks and he was rewarded with 3 wickets. Steve Lawton and Richard Coverly opened and there was an early shock as Richard was bowled off his legs for 0. A run out followed in the next over and Old Dartechs were reeling on 3 for 2 wickets. The opening bowlers- including a fired up Andrew Cruickshank- were removed (for fear of a rout!) and soon runs came much more easily. Kevin Nunn scored some impressive boundarys and was the first to be retired when he reached 24. Steve Lawton also retired when he reached 21 but the replacement batsmen could not really keep up the required run rate (it was agreed that Old Dartechs would attempt to get the runs in 15 overs).

Some surpisingly good bowling from Jim Munday and some interestingly mixed deliveries from Paul Touhy kept the pressure on. Martin and Jonathan had a fairly long stand and Tim Laidlaw made 8 but no-one could really punish the bowling enough to make a serious challenge. Old Dartechs were left on 97 after 15 overs and it was decided to retire to the refreshments and to the bar.

Cream teas were provided and a good selection of cakes and this helped make the event extremely enjoyable. Sponsorship for the number of runs scroed by the St Michaels team together with revenue from the fines and refreshments meant that proceeds were likely to be in excess of £600.