“How the hell did we win that one?!”

As Kev took the return catch that ended the season of 2009, and sent the ball skyward, Rock had managed to pull off one the greatest of escapes I had seen in my 20 years on the field. How we managed it I’ll never know, but the legends Kevin Wilson and the master craftsman Mick Williams used every minute of their years of experience to somehow combine to take the final 7 Howick wickets for 10 runs in 8 overs.

As is usual at Rock, for the last game of the season the cricket isn’t the priority as the changing room is all “costumes, drinking, the Squash and sofa availability”. And on this weekends evidence, we need to forget about such matters until the final ball is bowled.

A solid, but at times slow, batting display preceded a horrendous bowling and fielding performance which could have ruined a great end to the season. For 35 overs Rock were losing, and losing quickly. The damp wicket did nothing but aid the batting side as anything short sat up begging to be smacked out of site, and of course our seamers bowled a lot of short stuff. A change of pace, and a fuller length paid off as Phil (eventually) stumped the dangerous Oliver, Howick were now 2 down for 146. Joe Durie continued on his merry way as our thoughts turned to drinking the night away, still believing we had no hope. Not long after and Kev removed his off stump, and there was a glimmer of hope.

At this point with Howick passing 200, Mick Williams began to bamboozle the young Howick middle and lower order with his many variations, picking up wickets regularly and a collapse of Rock proportions set in.

Kev took the 2 final wickets, capping off an excellent season for the all-rounder who has been a VERY welcome sight on the cricket fields of the Alnwick & District League, in Rock colours!

We all then got costumed up (to varying degrees) and celebrated an unbelievable win long into the night. A little too long for some…

Scorecard

Well done to all the lads for an excellent end to the season, which saw us win 4 on the trot, and end up 6th in the league.

Thanks to all the Matchball Sponsors throughout the season, your support means we can continue to provide such moments of drama throughout the summer months.

Hopefully a full report from Mr Calm to follow later in the week.