On a day with more weather changes than Lady Gaga at the Met Gala (not a clue either but when I asked for a metaphor the beautiful, kind, love of my life, my girlfriend who I love a lot*) came up with this – the Road fell just short to the Sunday Times.

Toss won by CB and the Road are heading into the field. An old face from times before takes the first over, enter the recently unemployed King in the North – Jon Pinkos. Sadly, all that time spent fighting the white walkers caused his aim to go slightly awry and he took himself off after 3 official overs but about 4 if we are including wides. At the other end, CB sent down decent balls, one pitching on a length and jagging into the batsman’s elbow, the dangers of early season pitches! Tight, but not taking wickets, off he came after 5 overs.

Enter the slow bowlers.

Small, him of the opening bats, and previously a pace bowler, has spent the past few years reinventing himself into a spinner. Let me tell you readers I was dubious but the boy is a little ripper. He got the wickets of two of the Time’s danger men, caught by Sherman and Pinkos. Once the required fielding positions are sorted he’ll be laughing – maybe have a word with Rossi and see who his paper guy is? Newbie Mitchell Smith threw down some good leggies but showed that early season rustiness is definitely a thing, however the promise is there.

Around drinks saw Pinkos back and boy did he prove a point, bowling a beautiful line and length that got the batsman flustered and saw him pick up a wicket with a sharp caught behind by Sherman. Sham brought on at the other end and bowled well, keeping them pegged down with tight stuff.

However, dear readers, there is only man for whom the crowd went wild today. That man was Rossi. He bowled well, kept them pegged down, only went for 24 runs in 5 overs and took a wicket. Bowled – off stump. Tidy. So what, he’s taken wickets before? Well this one was special because it brings up 100 wickets for the Road! We are very proud.

Pinkos and Brown came back to attack the tail and both took a wicket. John’s 2nd wicket caught by a stunning low Patz catch at point, who had also won most embarrassing earlier by stopping the ball with his own balls, much to everyone else’s amusement. He also won tantrum for reacting pretty badly after his second over saw a few runs off it. 40 overs done – Sunday Times had set a big total of 238 for 6.

Tea – eaten.

10 wickets, 40 overs or 239 runs. The race was on.

Smally and Patz – with a dodgy knee (and balls) – opened up. Smally is now owed a cider by the apologetic umpire/captain CB as he was dismissed for 0 after chopping a ball on. The issue being that that ball was almost certainly a no ball and well, yeah. Sorry.

Dave Hughes – Sunday game specialist – fresh from a superb fielding display joined the one-legged Kiwi at the crease and both set to playing the ball well until Patz swung at one too many and saw his middle stump struck. Sham – I’m batting 4 – de Silva up next at 4. He certainly took the bowlers on, running up the pitch to all. Meanwhile at the other end Hughes sadly fell caught behind to a good away swinging ball for 8.

Keats and Sham put on a solid stand, seeing a 44-run partnership build well until Sham finally ran to one too many and got stumped for a well-batted 35. Nine runs later Keats was dismissed as well, to possibly the best bit of fielding we will see all season. Mid-on fumbled the ball and was on the floor so Keats scampered one, yet the fielder had other plans and struck the stumps direct from a sitting position. Ridiculous! Yet Keats batted well and he certainly seems to have matured since turning 30.

Other newbie Fergus came in but didn’t trouble the scorers too much as he was bowled first ball. Not his fault though as according to non-striker Sherman and umpire Rossi the ball was an absolute Jaffa that pitched on leg and ended up clipping off. Sometimes cricket can be a cruel mistress. Mitch and Pinkos both put on some runs before falling for 10 and 4 respectively.

Brown joined Sherman, who was seeing the ball very well and had jogged along to 35 at the crease. 142 for 8 of 30. 10 overs to get 97. A tough ask. They certainly went for it though. Whilst they only shared the crease for 3 overs they put on 24 runs before Sherman was trapped in front LBW for 48. Enter Rossi with the total 166 for 9 off 33. The next 7 overs saw some aggressive batting from CB, some questionable lack of running from CB and some excellent batting from Rossi who defended well, smashed a four when the opportunity arose and did everything asked of him. CB on the other hand just tried to hit everything for 4 or 6, was caught off a no-ball, dropped twice and watched balls head to fielders in the deep without moving. In hindsight maybe he should’ve run them and let Rossi score more. Maybe we could’ve got there? Maybe CB would’ve got the 2 runs he needed for a 50! Playing for the average yet again. Classic.

*this is editorial punishment for use of the term ‘the missus’ and you can expect it to continue.

Awards:

Most embarrassing: Patz for fielding with his balls

Tantrum: Patz for kicking off after getting smashed

Champagne: Rossi’s 100th Road wicket

Man of the Match: Browny

Full scorecard here:
http://kingsroadcsc.play-cricket.com/website/results/4051990