" I never make the same mistake twice. I make it five or six times, you know just to be sure" (Trim October 2014 Rolling Stone Magazine)

A year had passed since we faced up to Trim's Mob. An enigmatic team of misfits that include players of the highest calibre. Players such as The Old Blocker, Javagal Srinath, Peter Calpadi (Doctor Who) and their mercurial leader, Trim should not be taken lightly by any stretch of the imagination. The Polar Bears entered this match having to win it to stay in touch with the finals.

Prior to the match Trim was strutting around like an old rooster confident that he had put behind him his series of bad luck, bad decisions and simply put, bad cricket!. Surely his time had come!

There is a little known gypsy curse that whoever looses the toss against Trim would receive bad luck and misfortune on the cricket field. Again simply put, to display Trim like mistakes on the cricket field. Our illustrious skipper, who was tempted to pull out before the match due to a calf injury (Mistake number 1) unfortunately lost the toss (mistake number 2) and again the Polar Bears would field first.

The openers were playing for a draw from the beginning, The Old Blocker blocking everything and Javagal Srinath swinging lust a rusty gate proving that he was well past him prime. Trims Mob never really got hold of our bowlers. Drady and DB were very economical and initially bowled without luck. With several bowls going through the slips (mistake number 3). AndyMX (playing one of many farewell testimonial matches) and our newest recruits TJ broke the dour partnership. Peter Calpadi was next in and the 12th regeneration of Doctor Who instrumental in rescuing The Mob. Dour at first his used his wit and brain to slowly turn the scoring over. So excited, everybody's favourite number 3 batsman at one stage was going to ask for his autograph, but that level of sledging is not permitted in social cricket. Overall we bowled quite well and Drady again was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets and TJ and AndyMX chipped in we two a piece. Drady took the price wicket of Trim, who has clearly spent no time working on his batting in the off season. Again the skipper refused the bowl GT ( mistake number 4). However their has been a rumour floating around that GT may have placed himself in exile! This rumours as of January have been proven to be false.

The Polar Bears needed to chase 138 to win off the 40 overs. Pope was considering not opening or running if he batted. ( mistake number 5) He was convinced that he should open and joined DB at the crease. DB was the first to go for six. The Number 3 batsman joined Pope at the crease and soon after the gypsy curse placed on Pope at the beginning of the match was set to strike. Pope called through Armface for a quick single (may not have been that quick) and absolutely pinged his calf!! This was his greatest mistake and a lesson well learnt. That is don't lose the toss on a hot day against Trim and not expect a gypsy curse to be placed on you. After all Trim is the worlds greatest shit magnet!! When Armface went going for quick runs the Bears were in serious trouble at 4/27. Some good batting by Drady (29) and Radic (37*) who was playing the anchor role saw us get towards the total get to 89 when Drady was dismissed.

One of the strangest things ever then occurred on the cricket field. Trim actually did something right! GT having made it to an impatient 5 sliced one to point. Trim who hasn't caught anything since the 'cold' war (BOOM BOOM) was a safe as a straw house under the semi high ball. GT walked off with his tail between his legs (his greatest mistake!). This left us at 5-94 and still needing quite a few runs. Enter Gribbs!! Gribbs known for his power hitting smashed the Mob to all parts to get us to the total of 139 off on 28 overs. Gribbs had his fair share of luck, but unless you are under a gypsy curse, you make your own luck in Sunday Social. 

A great win to the good guys. Fittingly the game entered with a Javagal Srinath no ball which failed to hit the pitch. Hasn't the former test players fall from grace been dramatic!

As we enter the Christmas break we are starting to pick our game up with bat and ball. If only our bloody skippers could win a toss! Our next game is against ECXI on January 11. We will have to bring our C-Grade game to win that one as they are always a worthy opponent.

As for Trim and his fate. Will he ever get back to the dizzying heights of his yestyear when he was smashing the bowlers around the streets of Mumbai and bowling his hard to pick nude offspin. I doubt it! It is hard to comeback when you are cursed!!

" I can't undo my mistakes. All I can do is make more mistakes and hope the original one get diluted" ( Trim Trims Mob v Polar Bears Dec 2013)

Touche Trim!