The Headlines for the final Sunday Friendly should have been “Gibbo leads the victory charge with marvellous ton!” Instead, he hit the winning runs with a two, but left himself stranded on 99 not out.
At the secluded picturesque cricket ground where Stansted Hall & Elsenham CC reside, all the Reed XI plus 12th man were present and correct at the advertised start time. Worryingly, the SH&E Captain was accompanied by only 3 of his team-mates. Confusion over the start time and long delays caused by road works in Stansted, (where typically no one was actually working on a Sunday), meant that the wayward home players were “on their way”. Once they had 6 changed and ready, the hosts decided to bat first as one-by-one their remaining team-mates arrived by various means.
Fortunately, the opening pair of Thomas and Robinson compiled a century stand at well over 6 an over. Mike Robertson in particular found it difficult to come to terms with the right-hand, left-hand combination. He bowled some superb deliveries in his spell, but unfortunately what would have been potential wicket-taking balls to the right-hander were deemed leg-side wides to the left-hander – and vice-versa. Ben Mansfield took the first wicket and Will Archer added another. Debutant, Mark Rutt, took two but the fielders didn’t help by spilling several chances. Robinson reached his splendid century then retired. In the end, SH&ECC set Reed the imposing target of 260 in 40 overs.
After a suitable refreshment interval, Rhodri Hughes carried-on from his eighty last weekend and was soon into his stride. MJE Baker also soon found the middle of his little-used bat by hitting 4 fours in the second over of the innings and Reed were on their way. Hughes was out for 34 when the score was on 81 in the 10th over and Captain of the Day, Matt Giblin determinedly strode to the crease. MJEB duly passed his half-century but was immediately bowled for 54, only to be replaced by Rich Barlow who also eventually fell for 54. Meanwhile, Giblin was batting in a way that he had never done so before. Reaching the boundary sixteen times and adding a six to boot, Giblin drove Reed to within a dozen runs of history when he was joined by the usually aggressive Robertson. Realising that for Gibbo to reach a maiden century and for Reed to win the match, Mike had to rein in his instincts. Giblin was 97 not out at the non-striker’s end as Robertson played out a maiden over whilst Reed needed only 2 to win. As the next over began, (the 35th), the nine faithful Reed supporters who had made the journey joined the players to will Gibbo on to a memorable landmark. He would require a four to achieve the victory and to notch-up his ton, (or a single and keep the strike for the following over), but ……..
What on earth happened? Struggling to negotiate the first two deliveries, and keeping the fielders interested, off the third delivery he hit a shot into the leg side but with not enough power for it to reach the boundary, but nevertheless he charged down the pitch to run a two. The match was won, but Matthew had to settle for a score of 99 not out! It was a wonderful run-chase in a lovely setting on a hot late-summer’s day, and was a fitting final match of this weird season.
Commenting afterwards, Matt vowed that he would just have to do it all over again next year but to make sure he scores that elusive extra run. We would like to think that he will.
PGB
