As the Freddie Mercury tribute band warms-up WNCC season reaches crescendo …
“It’s a beautiful day” that saw nearly five hundred runs scored in 76 overs, on a wicket that was more “Save Me” than “Play the game”; with the skipper and the host warming up for their “Bicycle Race”, Mike (“My Fairy King”) Fairey led a team that was more “Fat Bottomed Girls” than “We are the champions”. However, the Match Manager had “One Vision” on the youth policy and “the hero(’s)” of the day were two thirteen year old debutants – AJ Stanton and Jack Everall.
John “It’s late” Everall (22) and Geoff “I am in love with my car” Webster (6) led the batting attack with early “Flash”; despite arriving late (and leaving early!) Everall looked confident after a master class from his brother last week at Castle Rising. Early “Breakthru” happened when Geoff Webster played all round a straight ball; and then “Another one bites the dust” and focussed switched from “Father to Son” with Jack Webster (11) replacing and Everall. Jack hit some powerful shots before a rush of blood to the head, but, he did at least outscore his father!
It was then down to James Holden and Ben Stanton to “hang on in there” and steady the ship; the biggest partnership of the day, both crossing the half century mark and setting WNCC up with a total that was defendable. James (57) tried one “Flick of the wrist” too many at a short delivery that failed to bounce, promptly saw the skipper (umpire) despatch him leg before. Ben carried his bat scoring 71, with Harry Hammond joining at the end with two flashy fours (not out 9).
AJ Stanton (5-0-30-0) showed great line and length and would have had a second spell, if he had not put his body on the line to take an impressive high catch at long-off, showing his father (after a couple of missed opportunities) how it was done. “Coming Soon” after his son, with a hint of “Jealousy”, Jeremy Stanton (7-1-40-1) tried spin but was more successful with “tear it up” medium pace.
Jack Webster (6-0-48-0) also made a good account with the ball in hand, bowling well and taking a fine catch; continuing to outshine his father (2-0-23-0), who’s bowling was more “Radio Ga Ga” than “Bohemian Rapsody”.
Ben “I want it all” Stanton clearly picked up man of the match with an economic bowling performance (8-2-15-3) to add to his account, which included a rare stumping by Holden off the paceman. However WNCC were soon “Under Pressure” with some good middle order batting. Harry “the Hitman” Hammond (4-0-30-1) claimed a stiff neck prevented him from more breakthroughs in the Holkham batting attack. Matthew North (3-0-32-1) inspired by the “love of my life” from the boundary fielded like a demon and delivered some “stealin” spin, making a positive contribution to the game.
With the only hope that “Rain must fall”, a couple of drops did, but not enough to deter Holkham. “In the lap of the gods” Alex Thompson (1.2-0-13-0) came on to “misfire” near the end, despite gaining a bottom edge from Holkham’s main run scorer (which was dropped by the keeper), he could not prevent Holkham from crossing the line and WNCC was “the loser in the end”.
“Was it all worth it”? The resounding conclusion was that “good company” made for an enjoyable afternoon where both teams played in great spirit “lazing on a Sunday afternoon”.
[apologies, if I left your favourite Queen hit from this match report!]
James Holden, Match Manager
