Masham v West Tanfield

Match Report/Information

Let's get the important stuff out of the way first; tonight saw another hugely enjoyable (for some at least) wacky Wednesday. The "man of the match" was a tough call and if Andy "Goose-fat fingers" Ganderton (see what I did there?) hadn't been auditioning as an extra in Water for Elephants, his chanceless, imperious 53 retired would have secured the trophy. He'd have only dropped it so Hodgekinsons's 30 and miserly bowling figures see his coronation.

Masham were presented with a selection headache; making a nice change, there was a queue of people hoping to grace the MGC on a glorious evening; a delicate balance of experience (A Smith) and talent (J Smith) and age (A Smith) and youth (J Smith), Masham were perhaps a bowler light and Tanfield, whilst never really getting away, sneaked towards a par 140. Broadley (jnr) bowled some terrific deliveries amongst his economic six overs whilst at the other end Gill (jnr) searched to match the form he showed last week. There were a couple of fantastic catches with Gill's serenity under a steepler the pick. Some excellent fielding saw the home team benefit from two runs-out; a cool throw gathered at the bowler's end by Jones saw a hapless Tanfield batsmen in disagreement with the 'out' decision despite his own umpire standing at square-leg confirming that he had, indeed, been run out by almost four yards. Must try harder in 'measuring' next time; CDT or Maths, it matters not. Equally eventful was the other run-out: Sensing the potential for four overthrows at the unguarded bowler's end, Broadley (jnr) sent a gentle but hopeful lob towards the sticks from 20yrds away only to hit them and send another batsman back to the hutch.

So 134 to win seemed a possiblity albeit with memories of Thornton Watlass' questionable tactics in the dark the night before. Masham got off to a steady start; bolstered by veteran big hitter and former marathon runner Adam Smith in for the absent Aussie on "house tidying" duties (have you ever heard such a lame excuse?) the batting order looked capable of reaching 134. There was some unusal plundering of one of Clarke's overs but Masham never really got going. Jez Smith, however took full advantage and amassed his half-ton off only 27 balls. Faultless. A cameo performance from Calum Green (jnr) added some useful runs and kept the board ticking over. Sturdy has yet to live up to his potential despite biffing a huge ball pavilionwards only to be swallowed by Davies (with an E). The big Texan, Ron Buchanan, signalled his return to form yet Coombes played a stroke the likes of which the 12th man of the national side of the most uncricketing nation in the world would never dream of playing. In net practice. At this point Masham only needed a run a ball to stay in touch but inevitably, attempts at big-hits in preference of nurdling ones and twos, saw the run rate increase and the game was up. Masham finished 14 runs light and were left ruing what might have been. They weren't really; they'd gone in to have cheeseburgers and a pint such are the joys of Wednesday nights at the MCG.

A good game.