Next up for Slawit was the reverse of last weeks Bank Holiday fixture against Barkisland. Slawit made the short trip ‘over the tops’ to play what was a crucial match especially after winning the previous game. Boothy drummed it into the team that to lose today would mean last weeks efforts would all of have been in vain.
Boothy won the toss and batted first on another sunny Saturday afternoon. The usual partnership of Waj & Holty began well as Waj played the shots and Holty supported. With the score on 23 without loss Waj pulled a short ball off Robinson square to the shouts of ‘shot’ from most of the Slawit players. However what they didn’t plan on was Gawthorpe plucking it out of the air in what was a fantastic bit of fielding.
This brought Skippy in fresh from his ton against the same bowlers last week. Barkisland obviously realised how crucial Pickos wicket was and bowled very tightly to him. Eventually though he got going and rattled along into the 30’s without fuss. Slaithwaite had moved onto 79 for 1 off 17 overs and were going well. Just as it looked as though the heads of the home team were dropping Picko got under a cut shot and found the hands of Robinson off the bowling of Goswami. All of a sudden Barkisland had their tails up.
Boothy was next in and quickly departed for 1 as Goswami removed him for his 2nd wicket. The right arm off spinner of Steers was operating from the other end and getting a large amount of turn. This did for Bjorn who also departed for 1 and Slawit were suddenly 87 for 4. Ijaz was sent in next to try and steady the ship. Unfortunately after he turned a ball round the corner off Steers he saw Holty set off for a ‘quick’ single. Obviously not keen on travelling more than 20 meters at pace Ijaz decided to just stand and watch Holty end up being run out. In his utter dismay Holty came out with every word under the sun much to the delight of the home team. Holty had to go for 29 in an innings that was slower than Ijaz’s sprinting capabilities. He now faces an internal disciplinary action….payment of his outstanding Subs. As it turned out, Holty’s was a crucial knock as he did what most batsmen could not and hung around at the crease.
Ijaz did not do himself anymore favours by quickly departing for 3 and then swerving the still fuming Holty whose head was hotter than the afternoon sun. Welshy was next and got a ball that just stopped on him giving an easy catch to the grateful fielder. Josh Langfield had been drafted in and put Goswami into the wall for 6 (just for Amy) as he tried to bully the plucky youngster with some short bowling. Langy made 14 before departing. Ibby came and went before there was a hair out of place & then Brucey fresh from a stag do came in 10 to equal the number of drinks he spilled in the week….19. Slawit though ended on 145 all out. On a decent deck and a ground where the Mothers of budding Under 11 cricketers can comfortably clear the boundaries from the centre of the square, it looked a below par score.
Goswami ended with 6 for 79 off 25 and looked to be guiding Barkisland to a revenge defeat.
Ibby & Picko opened up after tea knowing early wickets were a must. Wheelwright went first off Ibby caught ‘acrobatically’ by Monty. Then Fraine was next up caught at second slip by new slip recruit Ronan Bruce off Pickos bowling. Gary Colman came in and made 17 in no time before leaving a delivery which struck his pads. The umpire gave it although I think Coleman disagreed as he booted his helmet over the boundary rope from practically the middle of the wicket. The hosts had started badly and were 26 for 3.
Wells though hung around a while and began to try and guide Barkisland home. However, Ibby removed Slait old boy “Jack” Taylor, freeing up some of his time to catch up on a list of outstanding work he has for the Hill Top club, and “Dazzler” Robinson for 14, the game was wide open. 52 for 5 saw overseas dangerman Goswami come in. The Indian could not reproduce his Bank Holiday heroics though. Ronan came on to replace Picko and in the blink of an eye helped himself to 3 wickets for 11 runs. With the score 95 for 8 it looked all over for Barkisland. Brucey got his fourth and 96 for 9 looked to have won it. Number 11 Steers though had different ideas. He stuck in and put the bad ball away. With Robinson who batted 10 doing the same the score had snuck on to 120 for 9. Just 26 more required. Another boundary from Steers off the tiring Ibby and Barkisland had moved to 127 for 9. With nerves jangling the workaholic and camera shy Younas, found the energy to bowl Steers and cue wild celebrations. Another 6 points for Slawit, this time a fantastic bowling & fielding performance. Ibby yet again the main stay with 5 for 51 backed up by the returning Brucey with 4 for 31.
Slawit look to now be moving in the right direction and with Ronan back, the team has an extra dimension about them. Onwards and upwards!!!!!!!