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v DEFRA ALLSTARS, 6TH MAY 2010 |
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SUPERSTARS COUNT THE COST OF LOSS TO TREASURY
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HMT & CO 108-5 (Burki 2-26, Kumar CHintala 2ct) BEAT |
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Superstars 94-7 (Davey 27ret) by 24 runs. |
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Superstars turned up to their opening match of the 2010 Season with enthusiam and great hopes. Treasury and Cabinet Office, as is traditional and
annoying, turned up late and so the match was reduced to 18 overs a side. This obviously evened up the match in their favour as better teams and better players play better over longer matches
(insert comment about my average being far higher in longer matches!). |
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Anyway, Barry lost the toss (honestly why do you bother?) and our heros were asked to field. Sandeep "Grease Lightning" Kumar Chintala opened the
bowling down the hill and down breeze with Ben Coleman asked to do the hard work in reverse. Although neither were able to break through the quality opening stand of Treasury Sandeep caused his
customary flutters with batsman watching on (3-0-22-0) while Bens accuracy was rewarded with fantastic economy but no wickets (3-0-5-0). Up next were Jeremy "player of the year" Keates and Noman
"the man" Burki. After a rusty start Noman got in the swing of things and took Superstars first wicket of the year with a lovely delivery caught behind by Barry off an edge (a genuine wicket
keeper catch!). Soon after with pressure building at both ends Noman picked up a wicket caught by Sandeep at point. Noman ended up with 3-0-26-2 and Jeremy with a more economic 3-0-14-0.
Treasury were going along at just under a run a ball and Barry chose Michael "the loop" Duggan and Chris "Big Hill" Mountain to bowl at the difficult death. Both kept runs tight when this is
very difficult, and picked up wickets Mike's was caught by Sandeep and Chris was a lovely delivery that kissed the leg side bail. There was also time for Chris to execute a rather farcical
run out before the innings was over. Treasury had managed exactly a run-a-ball with 108 for 5. |
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Paul "the wall" Gaught and Mark Crabtree opened up for Superstars. Paul started by looking slightly more aggressive than his wall like stereotype
but unfortunately Mark LBW early on for one (note to Sandeep and other umpires, two is middle and leg, not middle stump). Paul missed a full toss that whizzed past him at approximately waist
height (hit the ball you wally) and when debutant Jaime Ratcliffe unfortunately got a very good ball and failed to break his Superstars duck the team weren't looking good at 15-3. Colin Davey
was joined by Barry and rebuilt the innings until Barry was bowled by the impressive Bately for 5. Jeremy joined Colin and almost immediately Superstars looked stronger. Colin retired on a very
impressive 27 and Ben joined Jeremy. Superstars were not favourites but were fighting hard. Ben was caught at Long On and then Sandeep after an entertaining 4 runs. Jeremy was looking until a
rather comical wicket which ended up with him bowled and on his backside. Despite entertaining efforts from Chris Mountain and Noman our heros ended 14 runs short (although by my rules a team should
lose one run for every minute they are late, and therefre we should have won!) |
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Anyway a close game and much credit for Superstars. Team: Barry Gigg (capt), Paul Gaught, Mark Crabtree, Colin Davey, Jamie Ratcliffe, Jeremy Keates,
Ben Coleman, Sandeep Kumar Chintala, Chris Mountain, Noman Burki, Michael Duggan. |
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The game was followed by drinks in the White Hart, a public house I very much enjoyed, despite chucking
have my pint on the floor (amazingly the only drop of the week). |
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