FELPHAM BARBARIANS (HOME) - Wednesday, August 6, 2003
| Phew what a scorcher. The country basked in ninety degree temperatures; the tabloids carried myriad photographs of scantily-clad ladies frolicking by the seaside; and at Oaklands, twenty-two pairs of hairy buttocks were exposed to the elements as Dave Burford had forgotten to arrange to collect the changing-room keys, thereby requiring the Loafers and the Baa-baas to change in the great outdoors, and provoking Mr Budd to reminisce wistfully about a previous lock-out after which former skipper "Jake" Jacobs had gained entry via the skylight. But enough of sunburnt botties, and break-ins, and on with the game. The Loafers won the toss, and on a beautiful batting track opted to bat first. Lefthanders Antony Eastwood and Trevor Almack opened the batting, and quickly dispatched numerous balls to the boundary in an opening stand of 58. After Eastwood departed for 27, Windsor Holden made a rapid 9 before being bowled by Hayles, his irritation at his dismissal tinged with relief as it was bloody hot out there. Meanwhile, Mr Almack's enthusiasm for the crease was visibly wilting in the heat: although Gary McDougal kept the run rate ticking over with a well-paced 24, Almack's flailings outside off-stump became more and more weary until he fell victim to one of Piper's off-breaks for 33. Although McDougal became Piper's second victim shortly afterwards, a brisk unbeaten 12 from Dave Burford ensured that the Loafers reached 126 for five, easily their highest innings of the season. However, as previously stated, 'twas a batting track. Nick Pennicott and Steve King opened the bowling for the Loafers, but received savage treatment from Barbarians Baldry and Hall, and although Baldry popped a Pennicott delivery into the hands of Eastwood at backward point, this was merely the cue for an onslaught from "Curley" Murley, who cracked a blistering, unbeaten 52 which included four sixes, one of which - off Neil Holmes - was only prevented from a visit to College Lane by the intervention of the pavilion roof. Despite the fall of two more wickets amongst the torrent of runs, the result was never in doubt. Murley's fourth six - a pull to square leg off Holden's first delivery - sealed victory for the Barbarians with 23 balls to spare. Felpham Barbarians won by seven wickets |
Skulking Loafers Fixture List 2003
