Season ‘24/25 Vets Win Round 1 Thriller
OXCC Vets Match Report
Round 1: Kew v OXCC
Willsmere Reserve, 13 October 2024
By Sam Nunan as edited & told by Scotty Palmer
Waiver:
This report is seen through one man’s eyes, and as George Costanza says, "It’s the Truth, as I see it "
"There is no reward without work, no victory without effort, no battle won without risk" (Nora Roberts)
No season has started in such spectacular fashion.
On Tuesday all players were visualising playing at Maclay Park against Balwyn. On Thursday our mental imagery was turned on its head when our beloved leader informed us that a new team (Kew - last year’s grand finalists in a different comp) had entered our comp and we were now playing them at Kew.
With many of the Old Xav’s Vets previously pulling on the pads at Kew a battle of friendly, well-known rivals was assured.
Your scribe arrived at the Kew ground early on Sunday and immediately met old comrades from Kew who all appeared very chirpy, who as reigning grand finalist no doubt were hoping for an early finish against the lower rung Old Xav’s outfit…..but the Xav’s had other plans.
Under bright blue skies, Old Xavs lost the toss and were asked to bowl.
Kew Batting:
The two opening bats for Kew are quality players. Cronin and Doak. Three balls into over one, your scribe put one a little bit short that was dispatched for 6. Next ball, on middle stump, straight drive for 4. Bernie, received similar treatment and after 4 over Kew were 0/28. Things changed from here. After 6 overs they were 0/30.
Jerome and Mick took up the bowling attack into the wind at the other end. First ball, Cronin dispatched Jerome for 6.
Unperturbed Jerome kept bowling straight, and Kew's luck ran out when he knocked over Doak’s stumps with a straight one. 1/36
Enter the Kew Captain Corney. He pushed a prodded at a couple, then edged one from Jerome to Keeper Meehan for a good catch. Kew 2/40 . A very good 6 over spell from Jerome and Mick O'Dea put us right back in the game.
Next into the line up came our latest recruit from Mongolia playing in just his second game in 3 years - Big Colin working in a trio with Simon and Boothy. All three performed well, with Big Col taking the prized wicket of Cronin in his first over for 28, beautifully caught with a running outfield catch by Pete. Boothy came into the attack and chipped in for a wicket, as well as having to watch Bernie doing a Herschelle Gibbs imitation by potentially dropping the World Cup. Boothy could have had two! Simon bowled a steady, crafty 3 over spell, and was very economical.
After drinks our Captain, making the tenth re-incarnation of his bowling style in the past 3 years. This season he is the wily old coyote, bowling with an off break action but somehow making it turn the other way. Don't think about or change it - just keep doing it Skip!
Things were moving along well with the run rate slowing down remarkably. Enter Kew's gun bat Hereford who they were deliberately holding back. Our skipper knocked him over for a duck with another good stumping behind by Michael. Kew was in a bit of trouble - the game had changed.
Another good caught and bowled by Jerome and another stumping to the skipper had Kew on their knees 9 down still 4 overs short of the required 36. True to form, Bernie came back on and cemented his place as our sides Mitchel Starc by getting the last Kew man out. Kew all out for 148.
Kew still seemed chipper enough at the half time break as they put on a lovely afternoon tea spread.
Old Xavs Batting:
Chapter 1
Enter "the Dragon"
As umpires Nunan and Moorehead strode to the crease with player Harden, your scribe was wondering who the other opening batsman would be. With a mindset of " it has to be up to me" out came the Captain MacIsaac, aka "the Dragon" - up against a very big, fine, ball moving quick and his rival skipper, to open the bowling for Kew. "The Dragon" was on fire, clipping balls to all parts of the ground. It looked like it was going to be his finest hour - a captain’s 40 was only a matter of time...or so it seemed......
Chapter 2
Karma is a Bitch.
"The universe does not carry debts. It always returns back to you what you gave it"
Disaster struck in a most controversial and topical manner. A regulation ball that "clipped the inside edge" and cannoned into the dragon’s thigh pad had the Kew boys up in raptures for no apparent reason. Clearly the ball was going over the top, as seen by your scribe at square leg. To "the Dragons” horror, the umpire Moorehead’s finger went up, signaling the premature end to his brilliant innings of 14.
Perhaps an opportune time to rethink the LBW policy? Time will tell.
When the unhappy “Dragon” returned to the dugout, Colin's name was promptly deleted from the Vet's WhatsApp chat group!!
Johnny (little Jimmy "Tell me Why" Sommerville) Harden was a rock at the other end whilst the carnage mentioned above was taking place. "Jimmy" was playing shots like a metronome, placing the quicks to all parts of the ground at will, until a lapse in concentration against a very ordinary trundler, had another certain 40 go begging. "Jimmy" made a very solid and team settling 22 with customary beautiful stroke play.
Chapter 3
Release the Krakons.
Enter the two white hopes of the side, Jerome and Michael Meehan.
Both players coming off outstanding bowling and keeping performances, could they back it up with the bat?
We needed this combination to make runs and they didn't let us down. Pushing ones and twos, mixed with the occasional boundary, they gradually wore down the Kew boys. Our Vet's stood strong to a bit of chit-chat and some quality bowling; and replied in the best possible way by both making chanceless 40's. Great play by both men.
Chapter 4
Don't Count your chickens....
With the scene set for a victory against all the odds, what could possibly go wrong, with just 35 runs to get, 9 overs remaining and 5 wickets to come?
Big Pete looked resplendent as he came to the crease - new bat, new helmet, bit of a swagger ... these runs would be knocked over in 2 overs.
Until he copped a first up peach from the big paceman that sent his stumps skittling.
Mick O'Dea came in and weathered the big paceman's fury and storm - adding a few, quick singles with Meehan before he soon retired for a great 41 no.
Next to the crease was Simon (who was having lovely sleep in the afternoon sun prior to getting the tap on the shoulder)...one thing is certain - this man will never die from stress.
Simon arrived with Pete's unused new bat with best wishes of "I hope it works better for you than it did for me"....unfortunately it didn't.
With mighty Mick O'Dea at the striker's end, Simon called through for a quick single, but, despite his Usain Bolt like-speed, unfortunately never made it to the other end....and Pete's bat still hadn't felt leather on it. Two donald ducks in 3 balls for that bat - which is now living on the bottom of the Yarra.
Chapter 5
The Promised Land
With 18 to get off about 4.2 overs, enter your scribe to take up the challenge with mighty Mick.
The message I gave to Mick was simple, "let’s make everyone shit themselves by thinking that we aren't going to make it, then with three balls to go, you can hit the winning runs." Mick performed his role perfectly scampering ones and twos, forcing them to bring the field in, then with 4 balls left to go, smashed a back foot cut behind point for a boundary to the raptures of the crowd.
Terrific innings of 14no to Mick bought home the bacon and a well-deserved victory for the team.
Chapter 6
Winners are grinners…
It was great to see the smiles on all the faces of the Old Xav Vets post game, shaking hands as winners – a great way to start the season
The Old Xav Vets returned to celebrate at the finest pub in Kew ..... the 'Skinny Dog' Hotel (sponsor plug)
The skipper bought over jugs of the Skinny Dogs finest brews and chips; and showed us all his new bowling action over and over ...and over.
At the Skinny Dog we relived our greatest Victory thus far in the over 50s Vets.
A great day had by all ....and even Colin's number miraculously soon reappeared on the WhatsApp chat group.
Chapter 7
The Day After - A Happy Ending!
It's been a long time since your scribe has had to change his obligatory Monday morning cricket ritual of booking our Skipper into an intensive 3 hour trauma counselling session each Tuesday with Head Psychologist Rudi Webster. It gives me great delight to make this day the exception.
Instead, I spent the morning arranging for our skipper to attend an intensive 3 hour remedial massage therapy session with our new sponsor Ricki Olarenshaws "Remedial Spa Club" in Bali.
Welcome to Old Xavs Ricki; and a certain even happier ending for Skipper Dave.
The Rudy Webster Medal Votes
Who will be taking Rudy home this year??
Round 1 (MAX of 5 players, voted from 5 - 1):
· 5 J Whelan
· 5 M Meehan
· 3 D MacIsaac
· 2 M O’Dea
· 1 J Harden
