COVID, Christmas Parties and Chaos Prove Costly for Magoos at Scotch
After a tumultuous week prior with 6 clubmen out with COVID or isolation, a further 8 players across the 1s and 2s announced they were unavailable for the Sunday 5th December’s fixture. This left captain’s Angus Sheedy and Matt Perrett with more cricket-related headaches than they’ve ever had before, which is saying a lot. Despite all this drama, two sides of 11 men were scraped together, and of decent ability mind you. So off the Magoos went to battle the traditional rivals Old Scotch Collegians.
With just 9 players for the first 20 overs due to some Saturday night pullouts, it was a bad toss to lose for the Xavs. Sent into the field on a very dry wicket and a lightning outfield, the ball was thrown to the ever-trustworthy Callum Abrahams (1/25 off 8) who must be highly commended on keeping an economy of 3/over with 2 less fielders to play with. Charlie Holmes (0/9 off 2.1) made a highly welcomed return to the club, and despite bowling 11 very good balls, he unfortunately sent 2 at the batsman’s head and was given his marching orders. Tom Wornsop (0/44 off 8) stepped up to the plate to take over, and his slow-but-accurate bowling was not benefitted by the lack of fielders. Snop did what was asked of him, but singles were taken with ease by a couple of lucky batsmen licking their lips at our lacking numbers. At 0/72 off 16 overs the Magoos were in a bit of trouble, however, great mates and offspin duo Alex Eden-Lachowicz (2/24 off 8) and Lucas Watt (0/35 off 8) managed to steady the ship brilliantly. Lash and Watty got through their overs in record pace, and the batsmen got impatient, leading to the first two wickets of the innings going to Lash. Skipper Pez (3/47 off 7) was unfortunately required to bowl at the death due to a significant lack of paceman on the day, and whilst he bowled quite well and took 3 poles, he was expensive as an experienced Scotch middle order batsmen was swinging wildly late. 6/176, however, was not a certainty for Scotch, and if the top order could get on top early, the Xavs were within a chance.
Unfortunately, there is very little to be said for the batting innings. Pressure on the top order mounted from good line-and-length bowling, which limited runs from the get-go. 0/27 off 12 overs went to all out for 85 off 33, as no Xav batsmen could find their feet. Again, without making too many excuses, 6 fill ins leaves very little wriggle room in a run chase. A 91 run defeat is about at brutal as it gets, but in the context of the season those as OXCC HQ know full well that our best is far above what was displayed on Sunday, and they relish the chance to return the favour to Scotch upon next meeting.
