Well, it only took a match up against, literally, the worst team in the league, but the Gladdies struck gold for the first time this year in the first round of the Life Members Shield. Sent in to bat in very pleasant conditions, but very wet underfoot, Kunal and Junior gave us an excellent start, preserving their wickets, turning the strike over and getting the ball saturated. Boundaries were hard to come by, but the running was excellent, and we safely made our way to 46 before Junior hit a skyer.
Dan’s run of outs continued, but Rich came in and when his first scoring shot disappeared WELL over cow corner, things were looking good. Kunal was a rock again, retiring on 30 just a couple of balls before Rich’s 4th six had him retiring on 32. Dave and Marty then added to Fine Legs misery, with Dave smashing 18 and Marty hitting some pretty extraordinary shots to finish on 32 not out. 4/165 was the final score, leaving the Fine Legs needing more or less a run a ball to win.
They didn’t. Rich bowled off only a few steps opening the bowling, but it was good enough, nabbing both openers in his first over, caught behind by Kunal. The fine legs then, getting to 70 with one retiree before Kunal effected a brilliant run out, removing their other good batsman, who had already made 30 but was going for a second run. Not on that arm.
The Fine Legs kept trying, but a couple of wickets to Rob, some sharp runouts and then another two for Rich finished them off for 115 (or 130 with their 15 run head start). Very solid effort indeed.