Well a run is still a run even if it consists of 2 Ls.

Yes, following a Herculean effort from the Ginger Ninja Dawsey the Pelicans pulled together a team of worthy warriors that included Mini Ali, a boy with nerves of steel indeed.

Having duly lost the toss the Pelicans were put into bat on what liked a pretty funky Hyde Heath wicket. Opening up for the Pelicans and we had Chris Bech ( a man who has retired more times than Muhammad Ali) definitely absolutely playing his last game, and JG.

The thought in Skip’s mind was JG would provide some test style batting and Chris Bech having not played for 2 years could hopefully feel his way into the game. Unfortunately after 5 balls JG used his French cricket stance and was bowled flush on between his legs. Chris ‘my last game’ Bech was joined by The Iceman, the Pelicans looked slightly wobbly, Skip surveyed the scene his confidence slightly dented.

Out of adversity etc etc Bech and Iceman dug in Bech peppering the position between 2nd and 3rd slip and Iceman ably assisted, or shall we say moaned to the umpiring Skip about Bech counting the balls in each over as time and again quick singles were taken.

With the score on 67 Iceman was finally bowled having done an excellent job of making sure there was no Pelican collapse, Chris ‘This is really it’ Bech carried on, this time he was joined by Ali. Skip’s instructions to Ali were simple “once you have hit a four and got past 12 runs try not to go deranged and be out”. Lets just say Ali finally fell on 35, a superb innings that included a mighty 6, Chris Last game Bech too finally succumbed and was bowled for a mighty game changing 46, what a way to finish.

Niron ambled out to the wicket, drove hard to mid-off and ambled back, Tony Sweep Swish Harris flew into action, and after a swift 10 Swish Tony too succumbed to the Hyde heath bowling.

Mr Dependable Rags had joined Swish Tony and very un Rags like departed for 0, leaving the road clear for our own Bollywood hunk Has. With Swish Tony bowled Has was joined by Jal and once again displaying muscle memory inherited from Bradman Jal smashed out a quick 15 until he was out with 3 balls left.

This brought Skip out to the wicket who saw off the 3 balls and walked back to the clubhouse with Has who was not out 25……a flippin good innings.

Tea was devoured and the Pelicans took to the field defending a very respectable 176.

Opening for the Pelicans we had Toobes and Hasan, general tight bowling restricted the Hyde Heath openers and after 13 overs they had 23 runs, the omens were looking good.

A change of bowling brought forward Rags and JG, finally wickets fell as Hyde heath chased the Pelican total, unfortunately with JG and Rags having taken two wickets apiece the Hyde Heath batsman Masood came to the crease and went at JG and Rags. It is fair to say that he had one shot, but he played it extremely well as he launched ball after ball for a 6 to cow corner.

With the runs required dropping ever lower Rags was rested, with a look of the Black Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail Rags was sure he had worked his man out and wanted a few more goes at him, unfortunately for Rags it was more than a flesh wound as his figures of 9 overs 2 for 50 will show, JG similarly was rested and Toobes and Hsan came back into the attack. Unfortunately they could not stop the inevitable and Hyde heath won the game with 3 overs to spare.

Special shout to Mini Ali who fielded with great courage especially as one ball flew at him at 200mph and he stood his ground whilst his Father shouted ‘stop it’ and Skip shouted ‘let it go’ He did indeed stand his ground.

Not a good loss but a fair one all the same.

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Reports are intended to convey an entertaining picture of the day’s play. No disrespect is meant, but if on occasion we misjudge matters, please take it in the friendly and humorous spirit in which it is intended.