Burton Leonard 1st XI v Rainton
Burton Leonard 1st XI finally managed a win on Saturday, taking maximum points in their match against 3rd placed Rainton.
It was a game which very nearly didn’t happen at all. Friday’s monsoon had ruined the prepared strip, so once the umpires had declared it unfit to play, Burton took the extraordinary step of invoking Law 794.4 subsection 11 which allows a replacement strip to be cut, if both skippers agree. Rainton were less than keen, but Chairman Dallas’s powers of persuasion convinced the skipper it was a good idea after all.
After a problematic start, while the broken lawn mower was fixed by adding petrol, the Burton crew gelled into their new groundsmen roles. With Blaken on mower, Wray on brush (sweeping and marking), Chairman Dallas and Wilson on roller, and Eustace on straight edge, it wasn’t long before the skippers were heading out for the toss.
The Rainton skipper’s benevolence continued as he called wrong, and Rainton were batting. Then opener Binns threw away this wicket in the second over - the first of six wickets for right arm paceman Rob Murray.
Burton were excellent in the field: Dan Thirkell took catches at slip and Mike Crawshaw held onto two in the deep. The fielding sparkled, and Mike Stansfield was likened to american sprinter Michael Johnson at one point as he chased to long leg. Although his later effort at mid-on was perhaps a little more like Boris Johnson.
Meanwhile Rainton stumbled along to 58-8, strangled by the tight bowling of Chris Parker(1-9 off 6) and Dan Thirkell(3-17 off 7). More sensible batting by Weaver took their final score to 107 all out. Rob Murray finishing with 6-26 from 11 overs.
After a delicious Crawshaw tea, it was Burton’s turn to bat. Only 108 needed to win.
Craig Eustace was soon back in the hut after mistiming one to mid-off, but the champagne moment was to follow soon after as James Robinson hit a truly enormous six. It was still on its way up as it vanished over the tree, landing inches from Whapple’s stable block.
Batsmen came and went and soon Burton were 52-6. But Chris Parker(26*) and Mike Wray (60*) dug in to grind out a much needed win.
June 9th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Very nice to know the ground is in safe hands whilst I am on holiday in Provence for two weeks during July.
It is also amazing what a difference petrol can make to an engine !
Glad you won anyway.
As for James Robinson straight six over the tree, I remember watching Eric Houseman achieve the same feat many years ago playing for Dacre Banks at Burton Leonard - it is a big hit.