Sharow Away

Shermans day started with a bang as the troops set forth to take on Sharow. Distracted by self help CDs and agonising over the choice of which captain to listen to, he failed to see the car in front and rear-ended it. Sherman won the toss and batted.

The usual debate about what to do when winning the toss continued as Winton and Angry strode to the front line to face the barrage of the Sharow attack. Winton decided that the gun ho approach wasn't a good idea and played sensibly. Runs flowed steadily as both players punished loose deliveries from Campbell and the Ainsley family. Winton passed 50 for the 4th time this season and was looking settled. However it didn't last, after hitting Hilton for 6, another swish looped up to the bowlers hands and Winton was in back in the trenches for 71.  

Bubba replaced Winton, and was determined to catch up with Winton's run tally. With 126 runs to find, he hit his first ball for 4. Angry passed his fifty and Bubba jolted into life. Hitting 4s all round the ground, and passing his 50 in no time. Campbell came back on at the Cow Field End and picked up the wicket of Angry, missing a straight delivery for 65.

Young Ainsley came back on, and trapped Gobby LBW, gun barrel straight, with Blubbs on 213-3 and needing a late onslaught from Arnie. Unfortunately Arnies concerns was on winning the duck cup. With Frankie missing and Bupa playing his last game this year, Arnie fended a short delivery from Ainsley to point for duck number 5 of the season. 

Bungle came in, and looked out of sorts, playing and missing the first 3 deliveries. Bubba took charge, hitting Campbell for 3 consecutive 4s before a rush of blood saw a missed late cut hit leg stump and Bubba out for 73 and still 43 runs behind Winton with 3 games to play. 

With a few overs to go, Bungle and Sherman took the attack to Sharow, Bungle hitting Ainsley for a 6 over cow, before some chaotic fielding saw a quick single from Sherman turn into a 5. The over finished with a four from the skipper and the score headed towards 240. With 1 over to go, Bungle charged Ainsley and missed. Bupa walked out with the score on 246-6 and all but sealed the duck cup for Arnie, nudging a single to put Sherman on strike. The next ball disappeared far over the boundary and blubbs finished on 255-6.

Shermans regiment entered the field and Winton took the first over. 1 ball in, and Ainsley Snr was in the hut, bowled first ball. This brought dangerman Monk to the crease. Bubba came on at the other end but struggled to find his line to the left hander. As runs came fast, Sherman replaced Bubba and got the breakthrough, Webster looping a simple catch back to the bread basket of Sherman. Hilton strode out, and he and Monk took the score past 100 with blubbs staring at defeat. 

Sherman came to the rescue again, Hilton chipping one into the air into the awaiting cleavage of Piewalker and Sharow were 103-3. A couple overs later and Sherman had wicket number 3, Sherman clinging onto a sharp 1 handed caught and bowled as if someone had shouted 'Burgers're ready' as the batsman hit it.  

Titchie replaced Gobby from the top end and immediately had Monk caught. Anxiety crossed the fielders as the ball sailed towards BoB who was preparing himself for a dive before Winton dived in to take the catch. 

4 more runs were added before Titche took the 4th caught and bowled of the day, Newstead looping one back to the strimmer wizard and Sharow were struggling at 112-6. The following over, a disgruntled Mason was out, caught at slip off Sherman and the 6 points were getting close. 

Middleton and Ainsley Jnr had other ideas, they picked away at the runs before Middleton smashed Sherman to the awaiting hands of Titchie at long on for his 5th wicket and 153-8 with 103 runs to win, blubbs were looking to put the game to rest.  

Campbell picked up where Middleton left off, keeping the board ticking. Bubba replaced Sherman and Winton replaced Titchie, but the runs kept flowing. Titchie replaced Winton with 7 overs to go and only 36 runs required. Campbell chanced his arm and the ball hovered in the the air above BoB. A few seconds later, the ball was in his hands, Campbell was back in the hut and 1 more wicket was needed.

The following over, Bubba got his man, bowling Ainsley for 37 and Sharow finished on 221 all out and Sherman left the ground with 5 wickets, 2 catches, 6 points and a damaged bumper.

Points: Sharow 0 Blubberhouses 6

Fielding Points: Sherman, Winton

Fact of the day: BoB often hides away during his guest appearances: batting at 11, fielding out the way and hiding in the long grass to avoid umpiring, but cometh the man, cometh the moment he holds the catch that clinches the game.

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