Mr Calm is back with tidings of yet another win for the Rock boys!
“Here we are 2 weeks away from the end of the season and everything seems well with the world, England won the ashes, Toon fans think they're the best team in Christendom, and Rock tripled last years total in the "win" column!!
We welcomed Mitford to Rock Polygon at the weekend on a breezy but warm day, heartened by our win against Embletoon. Spoon won the toss & inserted the oppo, no doubt relishing a chase. CJ got us off to a belting start by making Elly play on to his stumps. There followed a quick fire stand of 80 between Mark Parrish & Terry Dunn & with the score on 96 for 1 and not many overs gone, Rock were looking down the barrel yet again. Enter Rock's new, all-action hero, Wazza, who despatched Dunn via a catch by the clean-shaven Prof. Speaking of the Prof, he & Wazza really slowed the scoring rate & his Plumness also accounted for Colin with one that kept a little low. Sick-note was warmly welcomed to the crease, the recent case of swine flu apparently shaken off. Rock were grateful to Wazza for warmly sending him back courtesy of a good catch by Gianfranco di Bobbio, who was seriously injured in a morning kickabout. We don't know who was kicking him about but whoever it was should be arrested. He outdid himself moments later when he caught Parrish, (80 excellently compiled runs), magnificently, despite his obvious pain. The rolling about was a bit much, though! Burt Barakat, (one for you oldies out there!), and Lees added some gloss to Mitford's final total of 214 for 9, Chris taking the bowling honours with 4/46.
Tea taken, the tried & trusted opening partnership of Kev of the Wilsas & Gianfranco Hopalong strode to the wicket. Well, Bob kind of hopped. There followed a magnificent partnership of 181 with both batsmen brandishing & dispatching like nobody’s business. Despite some excellent bowling by Gaynor & a dropped catch by an obviously poorly Sick-note, Mitford had no answer to the two Rock openers. Nine bowlers were used & eventually Burt managed to get one to lift to Gianfranco Di Hoppio, & young Mr Parrish gratefully accepted the catch. A standing ovation ensued for Bob, who had scored 77 and he took the mickey taking with good grace. The only question that remained was: could Kev reach three figures? The answer was, alas, no. PhilB came in and, quite frankly, had no choice but to hammer some pies to the boundary. The end was delivered, appropriately, by Kev who finished on 94 not out, including 11 fours & 4 sixes. There were 11.5 overs left, yes, count them, 11.5!! At last, Rock are delivering on their promise, but we must not be complacent. A young & hungry Warkworth side lie in wait for us next week & we must be at our best to compete.”
Mr Calm - 27/08/09
