Friendship Flourishes On Stoney Ground

It is well known that there is a lot of love for Stoneygate CC at Fleckney. They are our friends from down the road, brothers from other mothers, the kind of people you know by name who would make polite conversation even if they heard you breaking wind in a lift. Ok, there was no flatulence or even lifts anywhere near the Ian Wallace Ground, but you get the idea.

Scoot had decamped to the King Power leaving the Fat Keeper in charge but continuity is important. Since Frank is still hors de combat Nigel has become the de facto square leg and Brij has become the one with the flexible time keeping. Brij also bowls like him….but more of that later.

When the game finally started it was Brij the opening batter who stepped to the fore but was only on 8 when Chris Gutteridge behind the stumps took a catch that almost defied belief. He was going one way then stopped and threw himself in the other to take a ridiculous grab. Sure Brij was disappointed but take nothing away from the moment of magic that it took to shift him.

The real engine of the Fleckney innings was Mandeep who could presently score runs with the renowned Boycott stick of Rhubarb, although he perhaps couldn’t hit it as far with vegetation. However here too we must mention our opponents. At the point in question Mandeep wasn’t just going like a train he was the full on Flying Scotsman when given out LBW, only to be called back when there was uncertainty. Let me tell you that took rare sportsmanship and it can only be applauded. Mandeep vaguely repaid the favour by getting out 4 runs short of his century.

This could also be the point where we could mention Twinkle's expanding and ridiculous batting average this year but instead we are placing an advert for a trigger finger umpire for next week's match against Bowden. Generous reward offered (apparently). Jimmy Loomes your application has already been noted…. Ahem!

It was another type of finger that caused concern in the Stoneygate reply. 14 overs into their chase of 256 Will Bale took the kind of whack to the finger that ended both his afternoon and any chance of a pain free handshake for a while. Dislocated finger and possible hairline fracture, get well soon from all of us.

With a change of keeper required it was an early drinks break so far keeper took over and the match was about to resume until we realised even with a substitute fielder (thank you Henry) we were still a man short. A quick head count revealed that man Brij was missing and apparently answering a call of nature, a call of nature that took over 5 overs. We thought he had fallen into the toilet, we didn’t know if we should send for the lifeboats or send in mountain rescue, then we realised after that long it wasn’t the kind of mountain we wanted to think about. Mind you, quick way to lose a trouser size or too.

All the remaining fielders bowled , even Brij 'Winnie' Barot. Lennon Devlin was particularly impressive. Ollie bowled very nicely after he got his rhythm going and Yak was having a fine old afternoon getting decent turn and prodigious bounce, he was clearly enjoying himself enormously. Heck he even took a one handed catch to get Nigel a wicket.

The final victory margin was 49 runs for the home team but it was achieved the right way and played in the kind of spirit which , yet again, made this particular fixture an absolute pleasure.

Enjoy the rest of your season Stoneygate, our next match cannot come too soon