Sir William Hoste

7th Sep 2014 - Vis (Croatia)
Won by 44 runs - NRR = 2.2

We were told before arriving at Vis that it was a pretty relaxed island, and this was certainly demonstrated by the hosts' desire to have a midday match of only 20 overs. We happily agreed to the late start time, but negotiated up to 25 overs. Even with the prospect of a lie-in, all the team were present at breakfast chomping at the bit for the season's last opportunity to hear leather on willow.

We were told that Craig, Croatia's finest batsman, was otherwise engaged in the morning, so were persuaded to bat first. Perhaps to even up the sides, or to experience the receiving end of world-class sledging, Andy Spurr was elected to play for the opposition. Justin Wilson and Tony Williams opened the order and started in fine fashion, showing the necessary respect to Stanko and Croatia's newest citizen, Andy Spurr. Tony had a momentary change of character and unsportingly drove a slightly wayward ball back past Andy for four. It goes without saying that the bowler would attempt to put the usually polite Tony back in his place, and dropped the next ball short. However, this wasn't Dr Williams' first rodeo and anticipated the bouncer with a classy lift over second slip for another boundary. The red mist then fully descended and in the next over an away-swinging yorker destroyed middle stump, sending Tony back to the tent.

This brought yesterday's top scorer Simon Thomas to the crease, where he and Justin continued to the self-imposed limit of 25. Simon, once again goes back to his tax haven with the weekend's top score and average, this year reaching three figures. Andy Grant continued the form of the top order before Chris Milton showed his 'form' and let started Medic's (aka Croatian Nadal) run of wickets, the next being Mark Jolly, this wicket being unexplainably celebrated by a cheer of 'that was for West Ham'.

James Shearman briefly rallied, but was rather predictably undone by a straight ball. Heston Orchard was in at the death and played out 8 dot balls, each one generating a louder groan from the boundary than the last. The 'encouragement' from his team mates must have worked as the last ball of the innings was dispatched far into the vineyard behind the scoreboard. This left CIPA setting an impressive target was of 167. Tea of cold beer, fresh bread and pasta went down a treat before the game continued.

Given Andy's performance with ball in hand he was sent in to open the batting, watching the first over by Mark Jolly being carefully negotiated. Much to his pleasure, John Hull was handed the ball at the other end, and the very first ball was a half-tracker outside leg stump. The red mist must have not fully lifted yet as the attempted pull shot to clear the island was completed with the ball still rising, the ball then tamely hitting the back of his glove before dropping to the floor and rolling slowly into the stumps. Unfortunately, the webmaster has informed me that it is impossible to reflect this golden duck in the website stats...

Despite this less than perfect start for the optimistic opposition, the runs continued to flow and the target was certainly within sight. A collective sigh from CIPA was heard when a Land Rover pulled into the car park and Craig stepped out to 'save the day'. Perhaps knowing the importance of today's innings, he started slowly before accelerating. Andy Grant was at the receiving end of the onslaught, with Chris Milton bowling wides aplenty at Craig's less talented batting partner. However, Chris was soon given the chance to be a hero and stepped up his game and got the prized wicket that all but ensured the victory. The rest of the innings went almost without incident, apart from Justin Wilson catching the same bump on the wicket that he had earlier experienced, and surprising the British number 12 who went home with a large bruise to show for his efforts.

The opposition were as ever, gracious in defeat and we all had several beers together before being dropped back in town for a meal where the weekend's fines were handed out...

Login to see and make comments