 James Packman reports on our Round 8 mtach against our Northern neighbours.
After an interrupted few weeks due to wet weather and an unexpected weekend off against Penrith, the team had not participated in competitive cricket for a number of Saturdays. It would therefore be assumed we were eager, energetic and excited to take on the Rangers at our home ground prior to the Christmas break. A respectable week at training and the return of the regular skipper and we were prepared to put in the best performance of the year.... or so we thought.
The old fella Packers in full flight
There was something missing at the toss (no Marcus!!! -it was later discovered he was busy at the shops purchasing the brightest set of white trainers possible... in size 4) and immediately the vibe was a little off. The toss however was won and on what appeared to the eye to be a green wicket which would assist the bowlers it was decided we would have first use with the ball. That said it was difficult to gauge if that was the right decision as the bowlers got off to a pretty ordinary start with both sides of the facilities being tested and a variety of lengths being used, mostly to the batsman's liking. Some useful deliveries were produced by "after dark Heaney" and "best out of box 1" smith however as a bowling unit we didn't apply pressure and with "the only one not to get hit for six by Chris Gayle at thunder training" Kennedy having an off day the bowling figures tell the story. One highlight however was watching "sponsored by Tony Wilson" attempting a run up off about 10 steps..and trapping the ND's no. 5 dead in front.
 I would be very surprised if there isn't a photo of Harry in action on the website at some stage this week. It has been a turbulent week for "office works" with some of his office ethics coming into question by senior management... nothing more at this stage however look forward to the progression of this story.
No bowling photo of Harry, Packers but we did get him batting
Back to cricket, we were staring down the barrel of 350+ at one stage so to be chasing only 313 was a minor victory, however was going to require a quality team performance with a number of contributors. A steady start from Eccles and Lewis was required and wickets in hand and a run a ball intent needed right from the start. We began to fall behind the run rate and pressure was mounting, mirrors was beginning to loosen up after a slowish start until a hamstring injury halted his late charge and was out for 62. It did give him an opportunity to get the budgie smugglers out in public so he could ice the leg, most would probably just iced it under their shorts - not "the situation" as he doesn't miss any opportunity to get the kit off! Evans the only other batsmen to get in and looked good until losing concentration in the 30s. A cameo by the "old fella" packers on his return game wasn't enough as 10 per over were needed in the last 15 to get over the line and proved too much and the team were finished 9-262 in reply after the allotted 50 overs.
The Christmas break will be a good opportunity to take time out of cricket, catch up as a team and enjoy the camaraderie of your team mates. As a side we are coming together well - it now has to start translating into confidence and a winning way to progress to the next level. There is no doubt we are a team of talented cricketers, it is now about displaying it week in week out. Some thoughts on how each individual will 'find a way' to dominate the 2nd half of the season would be encouraged over the next few weeks and look forward to hitting the ground running in January 2012.
James Packman
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