It was 38 degrees Celsius on Sunday and for a team whose average age must be nearing 40, the Polar Bears were impressive against a gallant Trim's Mob.

GT went into this match with a 100% correct call ratio for 2014. His strategy was clear. Let them toss the coin and call heads. Obviously a winning strategy. Beside I would be tossing against a mistake ridden Trim! However Trim was not to be. It seems he had been relinquished of formal captain duties after the debacle at Wanniassa 12 months ago and GT was up against a secret weapon. Anyways GT called wrong again and the team were super impressed to be going out to field in scorching temperatures. GT started to think, had the tables turned? Was about to have a Trim Like day?

Drady took the first over and apologised in advance, as did the batsman who felt he wasn't going to last the over. Both Drady and batsman were correct with stumps going back quite quickly. A quick fire partnership between the opener and the boxless number three saw them hit several fours and sixes, however deny each other some very long singles (some could have been twos). A Trim like mistake in hindsight! Damo was given the ball and struck twice in quick succession. The second being that of Javagal Srinath plumb LBW. We would find out later through Trim that Javagal spat the dummy and went home after 'wrongly' given out leaving the Mob with 10 players. Buttsy chimed in with two quick wickets and GT one. Whilst bowling GT, who was wondering why Trim had umpired 25 overs straight asked him when he was batting today. Trim replied that he wasn't and was twelve man, but since a sulky Javagal went home he would be fielding the 40. All up Trim spent 64 overs on the field in 38 degrees heat. There is no justice in the world for Trim!!!

What should have been a 135 score turned into 176. Some tardy fielding from some wilting Polar Bears and DB mate were the different. DB's mate, who loved a chat, in between hitting sixes and fours told us that he couldn't run and that he was just getting his eye in at least a dozen times. He was right on both accounts and probably a good thing that he ran out of overs as we may have been chasing big runs as 'he was just getting his eye in'.

The chase of 176 was off to a good start with DB and Pope hitting ball crisply to their strengths. Pope was first to go mistiming a pull shot for 15 and DB shortly after for the same score. Both Radico and PM played good cricket shots all round the wicket and score 30 and 38 respectively. Radico ran himself out and PM out to a spectacular catch on the boundary. AndyMX and GT both scored quick fire forties and engaged in monotonous glove punches. When GT hit the winning runs the Polar Bears had passed their score with 11 overs to spare.

The club is now on the brink of finals for the third year in a row. A win next round against the ACT Veterans should see that consolidated. A special mention for all Polar Bears who haven't played C-Grade in the last two games and have had to slug it out against very tough opposition. I see this a strength of a very strong club. A bunch of mates who are willing to dig in for each other. Next week will see a normal selection policy. 

As for Trim's Mob. I don't understand why Trim's Mob has fallen to just the symbolic team name, named after the little master! Surely by dropping yourself, umpiring 32 overs in heat, having to field a full innings without being able to bat or bowl (thanks Javagal!) would have to be his biggest mistake yet!!!

GT




 


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