Shipwrecks Win Seesaw Encounter

In a colder than average spring, Shipwrecks' first midweek encounter with the Police took place surprisingly balmy conditions on Thursday with ne'er a squall in sight. However anticipated problems of overmanning proved to be entirely misplaced since only nine players reported for roll call - various members of last season's crew providing a variety of excuses (unfit for duty, confined to barracks, stranded overseas, etc.)

Fearing a difficult passage, Skipper Colin Taylor chose to bat on winning the toss and openers Sandy McNay and Mike Service found themselves batting warily against a much improved Police bowling attack.  At 27 for 0 after ten overs, the innings was almost becalmed but an acceleration of pace took Service to an excellent 28 retired while McNay struck a rare six over mid off. Thanks to a lightning near maximum from Geoff Dean and some late hitting by Taylor and Gregory Robinson, the 'Wrecks eventually posted a reasonably competitive 106-1.  The IX thus survived twenty overs for the loss of only one wicket. Is this a club record?

The Police innings nearly hit the rocks early on as Andy Cameron and Matthew Robinson ripped through the early batting order but the coppers eventually restored order through a great partnership between G. Brown and N. Hewitson.  Both found Taylor's reduced pace particularly to their liking, and at 79 - 4 after 15 overs, it looked like the Shipwrecks' cause was going to founder.

Fortunately old sea dog McNay had spotted that all hits were going to the leg side and quickly reinforced the starboard watch for his own bowling.  The result was a stingy 16th and 18th over, in between which Robinson (G.) had picked up the vital partnership-breaking wicket.  He captured a second to a spectacular try-like diving catch by his brother, and when Bob Davidson hoisted Taylor to the same player in the last over, the Police were still short of the target by ten runs.

Overall this was a very good sea battle that could have gone either way, but Shipwrecks had the advantage through good catching and the fact that they were better at steering the ball into the puddle at long on. Picking a man of the match on return to The Ship Inn would have been a very difficult task as Service, McNay, Dean, Cameron and both Robinsons all made important contributions.

Scores: Shipwrecks 106 for 1 (M.Service 28 n.o.,G.Dean 24, S.McNay 25 n.o, C. Taylor 13 n.o.) :

Police 96 all out (G. Brown 28 n.o., N.Hewitson 24 ; A.Cameron 2-5, M. Robinson 2-6, G.Robinson 2-16)