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Rain claims first victim of the season.
For the first time this season the Stainborough
captain Londt won the toss and elected to
field. It looked a good toss to win and
an inspired decision as Rushforth uprooted
Hughes' stumps in the second over.
McMullan (29) and Bailey (13) steadied
the ship and seemed to be easing into their
stride but the storms clouds were gathering
in the heavens above. Londt bowled tightly
to register figures of 7-1-11-0 and was
unlucky with an lbw shout speared onto Bailey's
toe. McMullan stroked several boundaries
off Rushforth interspersed with quick singles.
One quick single to mid on proved to be
one too many as Ward swooped in athletically
(at least for his age!). His shy at the
stumps seemed to have missed but the seam
feathered the off stump just enough to dislodge
one bail leaving Bailey stranded.
Rushforth had a vigorous appeal against
new batsmen Ball for a caught behind but
it was rejected. Not long after the umpires
conferred and the players came off as the
drizzle got heavier.
One of the joys of living in this verdant
temperate isle is the weather. A topic the
English love to discuss. To date the early
season has been blessed with blue skies
which could not last. Met office predictions
of rain proved correct for once and play
was suspended after 15.4 overs.
Play resumed after half an hour. Rushforth
extracted revenge having Ball caught behind
soon after play resumed. Pepper replaced
Londt at the pub end and dismissed McMullan
who stopped on a drive lobbing the ball
to Archer at mid off. Rushforth (12-2-28-3)
then had Kelsall caught behind. Pepper had
a loud appeal for lbw rejected. His appeal
tailed away as he bent down to grab his
leg. The players thought he had pulled a
fetlock again but it was all part of his
theatricals. The umpire had no sympathy
and said "Not out".
MacFadyen then claimed his third victim
of the day behind the stumps with a superb
catch stood up to Pepper (5.2-3-12-2) leaving
Old Sharlston reeling at 53-6. Stainborough
looked in a strong position but the gods
were not smiling on the west of Barnsley.
(Maybe it is the modern version of Soddam
and Gamora, it certainly looks so late on
a Saturday night!). The clouds again unleashed
precipitation but this time more violently
than before and an early tea was taken.
The rain came down incessantly. Younger
members of Old Sharlston played cricket
in the rain with a wind ball. Stainborough's
youngsters more sensibly stayed in the changing
room playing header tennis. Pepper decided
the safest place to have a fag was on the
floor a decision he soon regretted. The
ability to keep the ball in the air was
limited and Pepper was soon wearing lots
of padding. The header tennis was poor quality
(8 the best score) but at least it passed
the time.
The rain kept falling and the umpires
finally ended the game around 4.30pm. The
decision looked premature when the rain
stopped later although the game was never
going to be completed.
As the Stainborough players changed Pep
decided to show off his new "Crotch less"
boxers. It was not a pretty sight (The last
chicken in Sainsbury's springs to mind!).
As a trend the author cannot personally
see this garment catching on, except possibly
amongst the fashion conscious of Canal Street
in Manchester.
The abandonment of the game resulted in
the usual surge towards Cutters Bar for
light refreshments.
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