Thursday 3rd May - Springview v Standish - U15’s League Match
Well after the normal tropical summer promises we had,
our opening match (after the predictable wash out for training) was at a cold
and decidedly nippy Springview Coliseum!
With the clash between Rugby & Cricket still raging,
we took to the field as a magnificent 9, with George Walsh resplendent in his
specially shortened whites with standout red socks, clearly designed as some
sort of Standish Maori type Haka attire designed to put terror into the minds
of the opposition, and in some way that was a success…..as most of the
Springview team did not bat, perhaps out of true fear or perhaps that the
openers made good use of their knowledge of the home pitch by having a pretty good
knock to be honest.
The Standish wicket takers were Jake McCarthy and a debut
wicket for Matty Grady; steady bowling particularly in the second half of the
innings from all our bowlers, Paddy Tyrer, Rory Brand (making his debut), Joe
Stott and Captain Tom White restricted our hosts to 106 in their 20 overs.
With the light fading faster than a Matt Cardle single,
the Standish boys began their reply and it was a huge disappointment for all of
us when Tom White was caught out early on for 8 just as he was getting his
shots away, a real shame.
Paddy Tyrer produced his best ever batting performance
for Standish with a forced retirement at 38 not out, which was recorded without
any 4’s or 6’s but knowing Paddy as we do there was no way he could have run
all of them !!
Indeed he brought his retirement up with a lovely 4 back
over the bowler.
Unfortunately we had a mixed batting performance on the
night with no other batsman reaching double figures, but the sight of George
Walsh frustrating the home attack with his resilient 4 not out will live long
in the memory (or was it those trousers !) in our ultimately short total of 74
for 5.
Finally, a special mention to Denise Fox who provided the
two men in her life (Foxy Senior & Junior – imaginatively called) with the
delights of “bread”…as I’m not a native of the Wigan / Bolton area I can only
suppose that it was the local equivalent of a Red Bull as Graham had never
seemed happier from a food intake point of view than I’d seen him this night.
A huge thanks & well played from all of us to the boys
and there was a real determination in the fielding and the batting plus a great
team spirit which will always be needed for the season ahead.