Penn Street vs Old Citizens

Penn Street 90-10 (M. Davies 35*, R. Sutherland 25) lost to Old Citizens 91-5 (C. Culbert 4-35) by 5 wickets

Saturday saw the advent of the Old Citizens, whose traditional cricketing values always make for one of the most enjoyable matches of the year. As fluffy clouds scudded high above a firm pitch, acting captain Rob Sutherland lost the toss for the second week in a row and Penn Street was put in to bat.

Disaster quickly befell. A looping slow full-toss from the opening bowler sailed past last week’s centurion Matt Bannister and clipped the middle stump as it fell to earth. A no-ball? Our umpires didn’t think so, and so Matt trudged disconsolately back to the pavilion. Rob Sutherland and James Sempill tried to steady the ship by dropping anchor against some accurate bowling, but James eventually fell after 10 overs’ stout defence. Rob continued to battle on with an uncharacteristic innings of Boycott-esque obduracy, eventually succumbing to a running mix-up on 25 after 22 overs.

By now, the innings needed some pace injected into it, and Michael Davies was the man to step it up. He batted beautifully, clearing the inner ring with some stylish lofted drives which put some pressure back on the opposition. However, wickets continued to fall at the other end and Michael eventually ran out of partners after a fine 34 not out.

Penn Street’s total of 90 looked difficult to defend, but with Grant Henry firing the ball in at one end and Cliff Culbert turning the screw at the other – backed up by fine fielding all round – the Old Citizens were not finding it easy. Cliff made the breakthrough, Sam Clark taking a fine backpeddling overhead catch, and by now he was looping and fizzing it in, forcing Steve Exton, who had generously offered to step in as a last-minute replacement, to make a number of fine stops behind the stumps as the batsmen played and missed. Grant was bowling well but without luck and was replaced by Michael Davies, whose 5 overs went for a miserly 12 runs. But the wickets were falling at the other end, as Cliff skittled out the Old Citizens’ top four.

At which point the Old Citizens’ most destructive batsman strode to the crease, hooped cap and handlebar moustache fluttering in the breeze. Fielders were immediately posted back on the boundary as uncomfortable memories of seasons gone by came flooding back. By this time, Matt Bannister had replaced Michael Davies, and a couple of short balls immediately got the treatment. But then, Matt pitched it up, a wild swish and the ball disappeared heavenwards. As experienced cricketers stood by, Tyler Abear, the youngest player on the field, positioned himself carefully under the swirling ball. Everyone knew the odds were against him. The ball was tumbling down from a great height, spinning viciously. Yet, as nonchalantly as if it was juniors fielding practice, Tyler pouched it perfectly – a stunning catch.

Unfortunately, that was to be our last success. Cliff Culbert continued to bamboozle the batsmen, but couldn’t find his elusive 5th wicket. Eventually Old Citizens passed the Penn Street total with 5 wickets remaining.