Come Sunday at Hughes I had confidence for once that My comrade and I would be victorious over our opponents until I realised that We were playing at Hughes. The place where this revolutionary reporter has never won a game. At least I don’t recall doing so. However, I did have confidence that our Great Captain would lose the toss and we’d be fielding first. Unfortunately both proved to be correct.

GT gave Buttsy and Adam Rankin the duty of opening the bowling. With my view from mid off (which I would later be relieved of) Adam Bowled some really great balls the batsmen would either not want to hit or block. Buttsy too bowl some good stuff but the Grumpy Old man in the Yellow helmet like anything short hitting several of our bowlers for boundaries (some quite large ones too). Spooner, GT and DB also unable to tame the Grupmy old man in the yellow helm. This wasn’t helped by our fielding, prior to the drinks break the Great Bears of the Polar region had dropped at least 3 catches and were also hindered in taming Grumpy Old Men with several LBWs turned down. DB being the most pissed but at least this time around not on the field of play in front of all and sundry. GT, turned to a Left arm whinger aka Pommie, to provide a break thru but a missed stumping ( I guessing keeping isn’t an exact science) and a dropped catch didn’t help, mind you the effort from “Gribbys Dad” to even get to the ball was incredible and at drinks O.M.G. the G.O.M. are 0/120.

We did take some wickets after drinks, 5 infact with DB 2/55, GT 2/ 61 & Rankin 1/32 this with poor fielding including a strait drive hit along the ground to your Revolutionary Reporter who complexly emu-ed up (like a cock up only bigger) letting the ball thru for a one of the many boundaries and I was immediately moved from mid off to detention. So the Grumpy Old men had set us 300. Fortunately the Yellow helmed GOM was not allowed to make 200 which GT had feared.

VC Spooner informed me before the game He liked the concept of me batting at 3 until I made a run. This was the case as GT decided on a top order for the chase of DB, Rankin, Armface, MX & GT. The chase seemed Okay until Adam was caught on 29. DB was bowled shortly afterwards from a deflection of his pads (however, not the worst dismissal of the afternoon) for 12. Andy was caught behind on 7. GT came out and then halled out for a birdie (unfortunately it wasn’t golf we were playing). Which left Howie and myself, who prevented further losses until after drinks

Howie was caught soon after drinks. So Pommie and I decide to consolidate. However, I had one bowler around the previous over I grew over confident and didn’t quite watch the ball and was bowled for 23 (or 13 if GT is to be believed). Pommie had settled in or had appeared to when he dragged the ball back onto his stumps (best not ask him about it he’ll only whinge :P) on 12. Damo, provided some wagging of the tail with 25, The man possibly erroneously known as “Gribbsies Dad” made 7, Buttsy 11 and Denying GT a helping hand to pack the kit was Spooner with a red ink 6.

Despite the result some good times were had by the Great club of Bears from the Polar region. Thanks DB for the Pavilion and the Ice blocks, Pommie for the Bacon (damn the other bears for eating it all while I was trying to hold the innings together), and everyone for great on and off field  banter.