Shipwrecks Go Down in Dramatic Last Over

After easy sailing against Burgh Boys in Week 1 when the enemy failed to appear on the horizon, a few practice manoeuvres took place instead in the form of a double wicket competition. A small wager was suggested and pieces of eight thrown in the hat.  Colin Taylor and newcomer Mahmood duly looted the hidden treasure by scoring 35 without loss in their three overs.

Unfortunately, the 'Wrecks next came up against a highly trained and spirited crew of youngsters from St Michael's Junior Academy last Thursday, eventually sinking in the last over after a close tussle.

Scores:

Shipwrecks 96 all out (Hutchinson 25 ret., Mahmood 24, Fallas 12 ; Mikey 3-9, Lynch 2-14, Geddes 2-24) : St Michael’s Junior Academy 97 – 7 (Holmes 27 ret, Moore 27 ret. ; Mahmood 2-9, Hutchinson 2-10)

St Michael’s Junior Academy won by three wickets

Highlights and Low Lights

Having imported several sailors from the former SS Kingholm Meadow, it soon became clear that a common culture had been established as the new crew stumbled towards a decidedly mixed performance as several hands shot themselves in the foot with their bats. Typical Shipwrecks! It's good to see the old traditions preserved.

Richard Raverty is about to dispatch this ball for four - through the midwicket boundary

The innings was held together with a stylish maximum from Andy Hutchinson and a good contribution from Mahmood.  But the turning point of the innings and probably the game came when "Executioner" Oates condemned Davey Fallas on an lbw charge although it looked like the salvo from Geddes would have cleared all three masts.

From then on battle panic took hold, cool was lost and swashbuckling shots failed as the innings was mercifully terminated in the sixteenth over.

It looked like game over when Buccaneer Tom Holmes, having risked an early stumping, proceeded to lose several cannonballs in the long grass.

However the youngsters' South African pro Henri, in his first innings since arrival, went from Golden Hind to golden duck when he mistimed and was beautifully taken by bowler Hutchinson running back from the stumps.

The battle then swung completely as the youngsters tried to fend for themselves and it looked like Shipwrecks might have just done enough to scrape home. But Kieran "Mad Sea Dog" Moore turned the game with some strong late hitting.  Nearly taken in the deep by Taylor in the penultimate over, he lashed two sixes in the last to settle a good game.