The Calvins v Rowdy

129 v 160

After the disappointment of last weeks Grand Final, the first match of the new season was an important match in terms of confidence and getting off to a good start. Alas, Rowdy proved to be a formidable opponent, who through some big hitting early, highlighted some weaknesses in The Calvins gameplay.

Signs were good early, Anna picking up a free tea at the café on the parade. My banana milkshake hit the spot after a days trudging through the lovely surroundings of Beaumont, while the pleasure on Andrews face showed that his iced tea was flowing down and through his body like a properly made iced tea should. The friendly chit chat was relaxing and did a lot to focus ones mind on the game. The focus was shattered, however, when a realisation came through that we may be late to the 6:00pm start time and a race through the streets of Norwood to Windsor Gardens began. With Andrew seemingly taking random corners, Sam grew increasingly impatient with the non direct route to the centre. Fortunately, arrival time was a few minutes before start time and with the non arrival of Rowdy, there was even enough time to change. The other four members – Dennis, Dave, Luke and Matt – enjoyed a fine warm up and signs were positive, especially with Rowdy showing up numerous players down. As a result, they asked to bat first, and being a sporting team, The Calvins agreed to take the field, with a slight air of confidence about the evenings affairs.

The team confidence took a huge dive early, however, with The Calvins star bowler Matt, bowling the first over, being hit for 15. Things didn’t improve for the remaining 5 overs of the pair. A partnership of 73 was hit off the first 6 overs with only 3 wickets being taken – 2 runouts in Dave and Luke’s overs and a fine catch off the bowling of Andrew, the best bowler in the first pair by far. Three 7’s were hit with a further 9 balls finding the back net. The only positive to come from the partnership was the crowd doubled in size when Krystle joined Anna in the bleaches.
The second pair went to the Calvins, only due to the superb efforts of Andrew. Again the only bowler to really trouble the batsmen, he produced a fine over of -12 to keep the pair to just 31, taking the score to 104. If the Calvins could keep the third pair to a similar score, game on!
Having only five players, Rowdy had to have a player bat twice. Choosing the “weakest” player, confidence was again on the up, and soaring when Matt produced a wicket, clean bowling middle stump, on the first ball of the pair. No more wickets fell, however, until a runout off Sam’s over, the fifth. Andrew again produced last over heroics, recording another negative over but it couldn’t stop a 56 run partnership and a total of 160.

Although 160 is a large total to chase, The Calvins camp was still confident they could win the game. Only 5 fielders to contend with and 160 had been achieved a few times before. In walked Dennis and Andrew and it only took one ball to put a major dent in the hopes of players and fans alike. Dennis caught first ball. Another wicket in the over gave a score of -8. Losing three more wickets for the partnership, it was slow going and with just 22 runs in the partnership, two dejected players walked out of the net. Something special was needed.
Up stepped Sam and Matt. 12 off the first 3 overs each, 14 off the 4th and 19 off the last 2 earnt a partnership of 69 (party for 2!) without losing a wicket, giving The Calvins some hope of a comeback. Matt produced his highest score of 35, just outscoring partner Sam on 34, and was involved in his highest partnership of his career. The highlight of the partnership was the running, with extra runs being stolen on 6 occasions. The fans were going crazy.
Still needing 70 to win, Luke and Dave got off to a good start but a wicket in the second over put a halt to the chase. Things slowed down and although losing just one other wicket in their partnership of 38, the final score was 32 shy of what was needed.

With only half the team performing (Andrew with the ball, Matt and Sam with the bat), this was a game of missed opportunities. Chasing 160 was always going to be difficult but the boys put in a brave effort. Only 1 point was taken from the game, Sam and Matt winning the skin with their superb knock. With the season off to a 0-1 start, next week becomes important to get that first win on the board. Again at 6:00pm, get down to Windsor Gardens if you can and cheer on The Calvins in their eternal quest for glory.