Good Evening Bears,

The Bears finally made their way into the winning circle on Sunday with a 4 wicket victory over CBRMY. Here's how it went down...

Things started off as per usual, with Spooner losing the toss. Although, to quote the media-trained professionals, it was a good toss to lose given Spooner was in two minds as to what he'd do if the toss was won. With only 9 Bears in attendance, Love Muscle on his way and Armface M...I...A, Spooner adopted some stalling tactics and waited as long as possible before entering the field. The missing Bears were located with Armface advising us that he'd only woken up 15 minutes ago, that didn't stop him from talking up his batting prowess from the previous day.

Drady started things off and there appeared to be something missing as the slips cordon didn't an apology in advance. Perhaps he did apologise and we were all too worried about the man with the gloves, as Pommy was making his wicket-keeping debut. After a tidy start with not many runs coming in the first 5 overs - in fact, I think there were only extras in the first 5 overs, Drady was robbed of a wicket when Spooner put down the opener. Spooner partly made up for it when he removed the other opener in the next over with a yorker. The wicket made even more enjoyable when the non-striker joined our huddle to tell us that he'd told the recently dismissed batsman 'don't worry about this bowler, he doesn't bowl anything full enough to hit the wickets.'. 

CBRMY's #3 batsman made it clear through both his strokeplay and his complaining that he didn't like the length of the grass and was taking the aerial route. Drady outsmarted him and pushed Vino back at mid-on with immediate success. Drady claimed another wicket in almost identical circumstances with another batter holing out to Diesel at mid-off and when Love Muscle claimed 2 wickets in his debut over, we had them at 5 for not many after 10.

CBRMY saw off Drady and following one aggressive over off Love Muscle went to drinks at 5/52. Enter Shane... In a devastating post-drinks spell, Shane knocked over castle after castle, including an early contender for ball of the season as he produced a pearler that pitched well outside off stump only to cut back in and leave the batsman, who had shouldered arms, a little embarrassed. Pommy was then rewarded for a fine debut performance with gloves and held on to one off Spooner's final delivery. 

CBRMY (who had told us numerous times that they had made 300 the previous week before the weather intervened) had been restricted to 73 with the opener Spooner dropped on nought, carrying his bat. Shane taking 4 wickets and Drady, Love Muscle and Spooner 2 each.

With only 74 to win, the Bears took a cautious approach with Chook and Love Muscle seeing off the first 6 overs before Love Muscle fell for 2 and Armface falling for 4 a few overs later. Andy MX came to the crease and there was an immediate increase to the run rate with MX hitting a couple of boundaries, including what must be a Bear first, a boundary through the gate. 

Then... controversy... Andy chased a wide one and not for the first time, CBRMY went up like a bunch of drunken idiots, oh wait... the appeal was greeted with vigorous swearing from the Bears on the sideline and then to quote one Bear (I have no idea who actually said this) 'oh f$%k, he's given him'. The 'he' in question will remain nameless (most of us know who it is though!) and he was immediately demoted to #11 in the order and subject to Committee approval, is facing a 15 vote penalty in the Bearlow count....

Following the 'dismissal' of Andy, Chook's 57-ball resistance ended and when Diesel fell, we went to drinks 5 down and needing another 25 to win. Vino got off to a great start after drinks hitting a 10 - well Chook was signalling 4 while Pabs was at square leg calling it a 6. Alas, a 4 it would be despite some protest from Pabs. Vino tried to repeat the shot next ball and holed out to mid-on.

Despite a few nervous moments, Drady and Divay saw us through to victory with Divay launching our sole 6 for the day and Drady bringing up the win in style with a boundary.

A big thanks to the Bears who came to watch - Azz, Ads (both Rankin & Toofy) and to Pabs, who also umpired post-drinks. Also, from a bowler, a big thank you to the Bear, in particular Diesel, who worked on the ball while we were in the field. Its a long time since I've seen a ball so pristine on one side and scuffed on the other!

Don't forget that some of the Bears will be having a hit @ Isabella Plains and a feed @ Rose Cottage on Sunday in lieu of not having a game and if you haven't already done so, could you please update your availability for 15th December as we'll be having a double-header then.

Spooner