Compton House vs Horningsham

Sunday May 10th 2009
TCL 40 over game

On a gloriously sunny day under a beautiful view,
Horningsham made their triumphant TCL debut.
Our opponents were also a debut team:
Some young, some old, none too lean…

Bat first or bowl? Our skipper was at a loss,
Fear not: Angus succeeded in losing the toss.
Sam and James bowling and batsmen try to survive!
Their luck ran out – tumbling to 50 for 5.

But two good players (and runs) in their middle order,
Although about as attractive as Alan Border.
Pope and White come into the heat of battle,
Trying not to get smacked into the field of cattle.

The partnership broken by the man who dropped a sitter,
He redeems himself by mastering the Stern ‘shitter’.
Shortened pitch? Full bungers? Mindless banter?!
But the bowlers skittle through the tail at a canter.

So wickets all round for the bowling five,
Even the slip cordon’s alive!
All we have to do is chase 107,
Hardly the need for Michael Bevan.

The teas were solid, like our opening pair,
But the sandwiches had none of their flair!
Boundaries for Angus, Tony clears the rope
The crowd roar – “Who needs Nick Pope?”

Angus cleaned-up by an absolute jaffer
(Bowler must be an Aussie or a Saffer)
Pope taught how to catch at square leg
Ollie stands and delivers, they begin to beg

But Sam goes and Tony is caught – concentration lapse?
Is this the time for the infamous Horningsham collapse?
James and Bill only need 20 more to win,
Losing this would be the eighth deadly sin.

Bill tries to get out by giving catches;
Not the way to win cricket matches!
But we storm home with a four from James;
A tremendous win in the first of our games!

(If only for an hour) Top of the Table!
No myth, no parable, no fable.
The intensity of the team had the victory sealed
David, Roy and Robert diving around the field.

As for the Man of the Match – tough call:
There were great moments for one and all.
Sam and James with the ball, skipper with the bat,
But I think it’s Tony who deserves that.

Next week: home fixture. Extra bounce!
But we’ll all need to give that extra ounce.
And now we have a reputation to protect,
Let’s swing through the line and connect!

NP (with a nod to John Keats)