Chasing 170 to win opener Lord Stark paddled to a full toss in the fifth over with just 14 runs on the board giving an easy catch and an early return to the dressing room. As he walked he was heard mumbling - ‘When the balls are bowled and the bails fall, the lone wolf departs but the pack survives and can thrive’.
Earlier our young team of u14s and just 3 adults had bowled competitively and restricted our opponents Frenford 5s to 170. It started well as DI Hodges ‘hooked’ the Frenford opener Pike in the first over with a straight one and then in the 6th over he bagged another one helped by a catch from Howard. Frenford wickets fell regularly throughout their innings, with only one batter reaching the 20s. Not to be outdone Hodge junior picked up 2 wickets and every u14 chipped in with either one wicket (Hearn Jnr Jnr, Stark the younger, Fisher (who was also bowling when the other Frenford Pike was run out), Pimblett (wicket on debut), Mahindroo); or catches (Taylor-Swift) or tight bowling (Proctor 2.5 econ).
Target for the S Club 5s = 170.
So at 14-1 would the pack survive and thrive? Stark the younger joined Taylor-Swift at the wicket and the two young pups dug in and calmly took the score on to 72 before Stark was bowled. Howard joined the hunt and with a swashbuckling few hits (including a big six) quickly progressed the score before falling for 21 and then was quickly followed back to the pavilion by Taylor-Swift who was out foxed by the Frenford spinner. His score of 41 his highest total for Shenfield. 125-4 quickly became 129-6 before Hearn Jnr Jnr and Mahindroo over the next 6 overs took the score to within 16, when Mahindroo was caught and bowled for 9.
13 overs remaining - 3 wickets to get for Frenford, 16 runs for the S Club 5s.
DI Hodge and Hearn Jnr Jnr batting. DI Hodge with an ‘impressive’ average of 2 from his 3 previous innings facing. Nerves jangling, dot, dot, dot, dot, 2 runs - 14 required. Positions of the watching superstitious spectators and teammates were now fixed - no one allowed to move and tempt fate. 2 runs off the next over - 12 required. No one moving. 39th over, Hearn 1 run, a roared 4 from DI Hodges, 1 run, 1 run, another roared 4 from DI Hodges - scores level, dot ball. Hearn Jnr Jnr, who hit the winning run in the last 5s victory now facing at the start of the 40th ready to do it again. However, not this time, No Ball - Shenfield 5s win their third game of the season.
What a great team performance and particularly the contribution from the youngsters. 8 wickets for the u14s, 2 for the adults, 91 runs for the u14s, 34 for the adults.
Poptastic and a well earned pint or a soft drink and a chocolate bar in the club house.
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