Romany CC vs Mutineers CC – Match Report

Romany 198/2 Mutineers 198/9. Sunday 1^st July 2018. Match tied.

The match commenced with a minute’s silence for Rupert Wyard, who tragically passed away this week. He will be sorely missed. It goes without saying that if Rupert had played we would have won.

The match itself was probably the most exciting Romany game I’ve ever played in, from the moment Sam Smith was run out before facing a ball, to the final over bowled by Rupert’s son, Ben, who ran out the Mutineers’ number 10 to secure the tie.

Earlier Harwood Williams had retired at the second drinks break on 94 not out enabling me to join Ben Wyard at the crease for the last 12 overs. It was a fitting tribute to Rupert that Ben was able to complete his 50 in the fortieth and final over.

Mutineers reached 107/0 with their opener, who made 70, lucky to survive a caught behind by John Surtees before he reached his half century.

Romany, for once, had a team stacked with bowlers and up stepped Matt Graham with a diving caught and bowled off his first ball He went on to bowl his 8 overs straight through and ended up with 5 wickets. Newcomer Dan Kilby bowled some left arm spin magic at the other end and it looked like we might grasp an unlikely victory. Unfortunately Stoddy, Mutineers’ captain, manager, owner, spokesman and rules arranger, made a defiant 25 not out to thwart us. Still, as Mutineers had won their last 11 matches on the trot, it has to go down as a success for us of sorts.

Other plaudits go to Rob Bielby and Harwood Williams for their tight bowling and to commiserations to Dan Pitt, who was padded up and raring to go, but didn’t manage to get a bat or bowl, and had to leave before the excitement of the final 10 overs.

Final Fun Fact. Romany have tied their last 2 matches. Club Record. Anyone got a Wisden handy?

 – Howard Elgot, Match Manager