The trip south to play Wearmouth, new opponents for the Mallards, took place on a gorgeous July evening . Wearmouth batted first . Opening the bowling for the Mallards were the hardened cricket Academics Messrs Cleaver and Stone . Cleaver taking a little time to adjust his sights was soon in full swing taking the wicket of Whitaker lbw for 1 in the 3rd over.
New batsmen Aslam was run out brilliantly by Dhillon snr for 4 in the 5th over, the score 31 for 2 . Cleaver was in his stride, rolling back the years and striking again in his last over, having Wayman caught for 2 by Dhillon snr. Stone, who had started well, but had leaked a few runs fought back in his final over taking the wicket of the Wearmouth skipper who was looking dangerous for 14, caught by Dhillon snr with a juggled effort. Stone finished with 4 overs 1-37 and the evergreen Cleaver a fantastic 2-22 off his 4 overs . After 8 overs Wearmouth were 62-4.
Wearmouth opening bat M Ahmed retired on 31 . New batsmen Brigham and Houghton steadied the Wearmouth innings with Latif and Malik the change bowlers for the Mallards . Latif took a little heat in his last over and finished with 0-31 off his 4 overs Malik with good lines finished with a very credible 0-20 off his 4 overs including a maiden . Wearmouth after 16 overs were 114-4 . During this time a very weird but typical Malllardian conversation took place between Skip Buxom and Vice Skip Stig, being the cricketing parents of the writer, and fighting over who was mummy and daddy . The writer was freaked out recounting this especially as it is now 11.27 pm. I need a pick me up to keep going (whisky or a joint ok, settle for warm milk )
Dhillon snr and Stig finished the bowling for the Mallards . Both Brigham and Houghton retiring with well made scores. Dhillon snr bowled S Donkin for 1 . Dhillon snr finished his 2 overs 1-9. Stig taking thewicket of Kay with his first ball, took a bit of stick in his last over and finished with 2 overs 1-16. Wearmouth finished with 139 -6. (It’s now 11.36pm )
Mallards, packed with a strong batting line up, opened with Ankush and Malik and set off with a flurry of runs . After 2 overs they were 24-0 . Malik was first out, caught for 9 off the bowling of Thompson in the 3rd over . A familiar Mallards collapse had begun. Saif was out for 1 in the 5th over off the bowling of Donkin . Dhillon snr was out for 6 off the bowling of Brigham . After 8 overs Mallards were 40-3, needing 100 off 12 overs .
Ankush played some great shots but was then bowled by Philliskirk for 20 . Green with his crab-like batting stance looked well set but got impatient and was stumped for 7 . Dhillon jnr was bowled for 0 by Philiskirk, finishing with a brilliant 2-2 off his 2 overs. Mallards were 58-6 off 13 overs with chances of victory slipping away . Skip Buxom played a few crisp shots but was out caught off the bowling of M Ahmed . Cleaver was run out for 0 . Latif was joined at the crease by Stone and they went about the last 2 bowlers to some effect . Latif retired on 30 off 19 balls with four 4s and Stone was left on 9 not out . The Mallards finished on 110-8 off their 20 overs.
The Wearmouth lads seemed a good bunch and we hope this fixture continues in years to come.
It’s 11.55 pm the Writer has done it !! Please don’t say it’s been f…ing done before !!
Last thing do I bat or bowl tomorrow mummy and daddy ?