Saints v Sinners Cricket Match
Glorious Saints
It was a sad day v the Sinners with the news of the passing of Colin’s wife but, the show went on and our minute's silence was appreciated.
The 19th Saints V Sinners match, started in traditional fashion with the Saints losing the toss and being asked to bowl. The Saints had a mixture of youth and experience in their team and the Sinners were almost all nearly sober. The match is steeped in tradition. Over the years players return from far flung corners of the globe to take part. They drag themselves from their chairs to take part, brushing aside injuries, like the hair they once had. Nothing will stop them as they return to the field. Their bones creaking like the wood that holds the Marden church bells together. By amazing coincidence, that creaking is what the funds raised from the match are going towards repairing. The bells and supports are being repaired, not the old players injuries. Players will do anything to be in their chosen team, although the Saints captain was disappointed with the lack of bribes provided this year. Tradition states that the Sinners will stay in the bar until called to bat. With Harry Karin and Josh Smitherman opening the batting for the Sinners things got off to a rather slow start. Some would claim it was excellent bowling from the Saints opening pair, especially James Scade. Others would claim that scoring 22 from the first 8 overs was excellent if this had been a test match in the 1970s. But for a 30 over run fest, it seems a little pedestrian. Eventually Smitherman started playing some shots whilst Karim was building a solid defensive wall. With a moat. To the relief of the Sinners Karim was bowled by Sam Clarke for a solid 11 runs. The next batsman Sam Helesfay scored more quickly. In fact all of the Sinners scored more quickly. But none showed the defensive style of the opener. Smitherman was now scoring freely and retired on 36 after hitting 6 fours and a 6. Hiller was quickly dispatched by David Mitchell who was very economical ending his spell with figures of 18-1 from 4 overs. Mick Goodrich’s sweet smile graced the crease next for the Sinners putting on 13 before being caught off Payne-Cook. Next in was Ben Tomkinson and the Saints spread the field in anticipation of the run fest that the big hitting first team player could inflict. He started well with a single, then three fours from the bowling of Andy Glass. But glass is a magician and he totally out foxed Tomkinson bowing him cleanly. Probably. As the bails hit the floor no one was more surprised than the magical spinner himself. Helesfay was removed next clean bowled by the other Saints wizardly spinner Russell Wheldon. Humphrey was solid and carried his bat while King came and went, rather slowly on a wobbly leg. Finn’s cameo at the end left the Saints with a rather surprising target of 175 to win.
Not many Kent village teams can boast an international standard opening pair of batsmen and neither can the Saints. Wheldon and Ennis started well, but the sniff of glory was too much for Ennis who was caught for just 8 off Finn. The young batting prodigy Sam Clarke was in next and immediately hit 2 fours, showing how easy scoring is on the Marden pitch. Until he was clean bowled next ball. Showing how hard it is to score on the Marden pitch. Payne-Cook was next in and despite his hair played well, scoring freely and quickly hitting 3 sixes and 3 fours before he retired on 35. James Scade was next in and next out. His golden duck being the first duck of the innings and did I mention it was golden. That means he was out first ball. Goodrich was the bowler who bowled him first ball. But we must not keep mentioning it. The Saints were well ahead of the run rate having scored 80 from the first 10 overs, but were losing their key batsmen. Goodrich struck again having Wheldon caught for 22. Andy Glass was in next and great things were expected. Smitherman and Karim were bowling tightly with Karim getting the wicket of Mitchell for another duck. But not a golden one this time. The run rate was still above target, so the Sinners brought out their secret bowling weapon. Keith Rookledge had been quite all game, mostly drinking and smoking like a class athlete in the mould of an older George Best or Hurricane Higgins. Nonetheless, his bowling was ruthless and surprising. Glass was enticed into playing at a ball that changed speed and direction several times, before it even left Keith’s hand and was caught by Finn for just 16. Puncher, who had replaced the second duckman, Mitchell was joined by Steve Mooney, but due to some unfortunate bad blood between the two (this claim is unsubstantiated), he contrived to have Mooney run out for just 4. Hutchins came and went also without bothering the scorer, being bowled by Helesfay. The 3rd Duck. Rookledge then struck again bowling Puncher for 15 and despite Payne-Cook returning, it was all in vain as Rookledge secured his third wicket as the tailender skyed a head hight full toss into Helesfays hand.
So the game ended with the Sinners victorious and leading 9 to 8 in this most thrilling series. Awards were given to Rookledge for his surprising bowling. Payne-Cook for his destructive batting and James Scade for being the most golden of many ducks. Funds were raised to help the challenge of restoring the bells that the whole village loves to hear. Lets hope they can ring out Saints victory next year when the two sides meet again.
Don’t forget Sunday 10th July Saints are playing Telston and Mereworth who we beat last time out at Marden Cricket Ground. 2pm start.
Saints for that game are so far: Jay McGoon, Mike Cox, Brent Geach, James Scade, Steve Mooney, Jim Piper, Russell Wheldon, Andy Puncher, Shannon O’Reilly, Alan Ennis. Which is 10 so hopefully we can entice one more.
Onwards
Mike
Mike Cox