Telling Tails — 1st Ever Mixed T20
Our first mixed T20! Ever!
This was history in the making and lordy it was a goodie too!
Before we get into it, a huge thank you to everyone that got behind this one. It was an idea floated at the final T20 game last season and it came true! To those who were good to their word and showed up, helped out and backed this game, I (and many others) appreciate it! It was a truly wonderful moment for the club and I don't know anyone who didn't have fun that evening.
To Sean for selflessly giving up his time and scoring it all, thank you. To Sam who umpired every ball, we salute you, to Steve who came, watched and dipped out for others to play, we thank you, and to Pete who not only umpired every ball but did so on his birthday, we thank you! And to everyone who play, watched and celebrated that evening, we thank you too!
We will do it again!
We co-captained this one, with 3-4 of the regular T20 team turning up for each team and the ladies featuring across the rest of the teams spots, it was all to play for from the off. Harry and Pol took charge of 'Ramsbury Vodka' and Vicki and I took lead of 'Ramsbury Gin'.
As Pol and Rich came out to bat, we (Ramsbury Gin) spread the field out. Malcolm opened the bowling. Rich on strike, he caught it on the up and sent it just past my out-stretched hands to get off the mark and escape a first ball nightmare. Rich went on the hurt Ramsbury Gin, knocking 25 in quick succession. At the other end, Pol looked like the true captain that she is, a leading role and featuring strongly to add to a strong start for one half of the Ramsbury pack, grabbing 11 runs in the process.
With everyone having the opportunity to bowl in the T20 format, it put many in a nervous position... bowling with an onlooking crowd in a competitive arena. Yet EVERYONE delivered. I was thrilled that everyone who wanted to, across both teams, gave it a go... and many prevailed with their first competitive wickets. Emma Hawes, Vicki, Jacqy, Laurie and Clare all faced tough opposition from Rich and Harry, who seemed in a rush to get runs on the board. But everyone kept going, and bowled some beautiful deliveries to ensure that good shots were required to score... in fact Emma, Jacqy and Laurie all bowled so well that none of them went for a boundary off their first over... pretty great way to start! Meanwhile, in the field, everyone was working hard to chase the ball down and keep the runs to a minimum and back our bowlers. The softball is definitely harder to throw in quickly with it's lighter weight than a standard cricket ball, but it also does bring in more catching opportunities too!
After 6 overs, Ramsbury Vodka had passed 66 runs and with Harry now at the crease it was time for me to have a bowl. Off the shorter 19 yard pitch, I felt like a giant and 'fired' one in off my first ball. Harry, eager to smash me out the ground and add to his earlier 6, threw his hands towards the ball and he edged it through to Jamie with the gloves on, breakthrough!
I didn't slow up, especially with Vic W coming to the crease and everyone saying 'she can hit'. I fired a second in and Vic was quickly off the mark, more than equal to me. With Pol now on strike, I thought I'd be a bit kinder and try to put one on the off side... sadly my inaccuracy combined with the unusual softball swing meant I clashed into her off stump. Giving space for Bhav to come out and join Vic in the middle.
WIth two new batters at the crease, it was an opportunity for Ramsbury Gin to turn the tide. Malcolm kept it tight in his second over but couldn't make the breakthrough, and then along came Emma Hawes! Despite earlier nerves, Emma was bowling superbly! Right on the spot and making it tricky for the batters and soon enough, one went skyward... cries of catch rippled around the field as the ball landed safely in the hands of Clare! We were on a roll and Emma had her first wicket and desserved it too!
Co-captain Vicki, along with Jacqy both had brilliant second overs and the ever reliable Warwick showed what it takes to become 'The Wall' as he bowled with precision to continue to slow the rate of runs for Ramsbury Vodka.
We're now in the 15th over, and Boom Boom Al is at the crease with Bhav partnering at the other end. Laurie has ball in hand and is trying desperately, in fact almost too hard, to get Alan out. The family rivalry is on, neither want to lose this battle. It will be talked about at birthday parties and family events for years if one can get the better of the other. Laurie wants him out, Boom Boom wants a boundary... they both want those bragging rights and Alan goes BIG! A huge swing, but the majestic skill within Laurie's bowling (I've faced it... it's not easy to play) comes to the for, the ball goes skyward, Laurie is underneath it... she's playing her first game of any sport since her horrid thumb injury... will that thumb hold out, can she keep her nerve, will the setting sun get in her eyes... absolutely not! Safe as houses the ball is caught and Alan, understandably, walks back to the clubhouse a little dejected.
A huge scalp for Laurie and equal celebrations across the team. As Ramsbury Gin keep the final few others tight, with Emma and Bhav picking up runs where they could, Ramsbury Vodka end on 134/5, a defendable score.
As we kicked off the second innings, I felt super confident that Ramsbury Gin would get off to a flyer. With Wendy Jephson able to smash a ball harder than husband Nick (whose beyond capable with willow in hand too), it took a lovely catch from Bhav off Vics bowling to send Wendy back to the clubhouse for an early tipple.
Hot off getting a wicket from her bowling, Vics then took a fine catch off Bhav's bowling in the following over to send Ramsbury Gin in a short spin as co-captain Vicki walked back having showed promise and determination to get us off to a solid start in our run chase. Vodka had the upper hand, Gin was still in with a shot.
Pol bowled like a true captain, only going for 2 runs off her first over, Fi kept it tight along with Bhav and Gin were struggling a little once more.
As Clare and Wendy (Osmond) were now at the crease, a few more runs ticked on. Clare hit 10 vital ones and batted brilliantly to begin turning the tide. Had it not been for Boom Boom Al, who was bowling quicker than I've ever experienced (I mean, he did have a point to prove from earlier antics), I think Clare would have added plenty more to her total.
Keen to try and get as close as possible to the 134 target with the overs remaining, Jamie was sent out to hit a quick 25 (which thanksfully he did!). Meanwhile, Wendy was running for her life (and wicket) as she had first hand experience of not only batting with Jamie, but realising just how many runs you can sneak and pinch when batting... this vibe changed the whole game, with Jamie retired but Gin still needing plenty of runs to get over the line, Laurie took to the field with the same intent... run and run quick! Wendy and Laurie had a brilliant partnership and pushed hard to keep on the chase. Vodka must have known it too, they brought back Boom Boom, who, of course, was keen to get direct revenge. But as Boom Boom sent down an unplayable one, it was Wendy's inspiring innings which came to a close, just short of retirement at 23!
Needing around 20 off the last over, Laurie and I did what we could, and knowing that we had wickets in hand, running everything was worth it. In the process we added 10 (ish) runs to the total before I was run out on the final ball by Harry (evens made there). Harry was bowling absolute darts to end the innings (I can see why he's successful as our very own Cornwall (IYKYK). We ended our innings on 124/5.
Back to the clubhouse for drinks, birthday cake and a quick sing-song for Pete as we watched the sun go down and set on a beautiful evening, both in the setting and in the middle.
Probably one of the best Wednesdays ever! I won't forget it in a hurry... and Vicki and I are keen for a rematch... lets make it happen as soon as we can.
No doubt we'll revisit this at the end of season evening, and for Laurie, many more times whenever she sees Alan.
For making unforgettable memories, thank you!
Gin vs Vodka saga continues, but until then Vodka has the upper hand.
Go well, Cheers!