22/02/2023 Skipper’s Match Report
CCC – 185/6 (40)
MIMCC – 138/7 (40)
CAERNARFON WON BY 47 RUNS
Full Score Card here: https://mynyddisamaeshafn.play-cricket.com/website/results/5710950
Taking over captaincy of the team from a promotion winning skipper is a daunting task in itself; but taking over authorship of the match report from Andy ‘Merlot is my muse’ Meakin is even more so. But I’ll give it my best shot.
Grey skies and breeze blowing in off the Menai straits greeted MIMCC on our first every visit to play Caernarfon. The pitch, although green, was surprisingly dry. But having won the toss there was still little question of not asking the oppo to have a bat.
They started strongly with their two openers getting Euan and Jonty away. At 60-0 off 6 overs it looked like a long day was on the cards. However Jonty began to find his rhythm, and with Yash operating as first change from the other end, we began to slow the scoring rate. Wickets then started to fall – one to Jonty caught at mid on (with nobody getting poked in the eye), and one for Yash caught by yours truly deputising in the AbsDeyFieldingPosition™. It was remarked about this catch that it was ‘reminiscent of a young Tom Hall [with his legs tied together and a blindfold on]’ and ‘an early contender for catch of the season’. And not just by me [although mainly by him, Ed].
Prasad then joined the attack and found the edge first ball only for substitute fielder Fordy (filling in for the late arriving Venkat) to spill the chance at slip. Somewhere in a caravan in Prestatyn, Mr Houghton chuckled. However no real damage was done, as Prasad did the job himself later in the over with a caught and bowled. At the other end, Dillon (making his debut for the club and playing his first game of senior cricket) was bowling well, picking up a wicket in his first over. At drinks they were 104-4 which represented a good comeback for us. After drinks, Euan came back for a second spell, subsequently picking up his first wicket for the club; and Dillon got a second with Apples taking a sharp catch behind the stumps (we shan’t mention the two that were put down…..). A couple of partnerships allowed Caernarfon to start to build a total, but at nothing like the rate they had started off at, and to keep them under 200 was a decent effort.
After tea, Apples and Siv went out to open the batting. The former having earlier answered the question “if the cricketing gods offered you a hundred today; but Wrexham lose – would you take it?” with a resounding “no”. Karma struck and Apples was gone run out for a duck, and then quickly back off down the A55 to watch AFC Hollywood.
Against some very good bowling from their 2 quick openers, Siv followed shortly thereafter for 6. Yash played some nice shots for his 13 before falling lbw, leaving Jit and your correspondent at crease at 31-3. Jit was batting well against tight bowling, supported by his captain who made a very ugly 13, mostly off the edge of the bat and including a top edge onto his own head, providing a stern test for the new MIMCC branded helmet (sponsored by Applewhite Business Consultancy for all your business consultancy needs). Prasad was next in; but didn’t trouble the scorers. Dillon then joined Jit and hit a couple of good shots for 6. By this time, Jit was starting to score freely and, ably supported by Alex who finished with 19 not out, was able to move past 50 and get us into the points. He eventually fell caught at mid off for 58. A great knock that made sure we took some point back home.
A good effort all round against a side who were playing in Div 2 last year. Conwy at home next week. Pray for some dry weather, a [deputy] head groundsman Fagan currently reports that the square is better suited to rice growing than playing cricket.
Captain William Webster esq, April 23rd 2023.