 |
| Match Details |
| Round |
Round 9 |
| Opposition |
West Ryde Warriors |
| Date |
19-Dec-2015 |
| Ground |
Bedlam Bay |
| Match Summary |
| Result |
LOSS on 1st innings by 22 runs |
| West Ryde Warriors 1st innings |
all out, 197 runs
|
| Kurrajong Gypsies 1st innings |
9 wickets, 175 runs
|
| Match Report |
In a smoke-filled room overlooking Bedlam Bay, the Gypsy selectors pulled on their cheroots, sniffed their whisky and stared at the wainscoting, hoping for players to come out of the woodwork. How to select that contradiction in terms, the perfect Gypsy team, to take on West Wyde Warriers in the game before Christmas, and so move into second place at the turn? Decisions, decisions. At last, after several late nights, pouring over the Gypsy archives, a concept was emerging. Bring back Duck, bring back Hagley, Cil and Archer in their pomp, see the Headmaster to have Hammo released, find Taylor, could Junior rise from his hospital bed, had Batho’s knees been road tested, what were Tony Wall, Glen Bain, Andrew Heffernan and Jim Gref up to, could we forge a leave pass for Harry, what about Tap Whatisname, give Hamish MacDonald a serious dose of white line fever, get back the Yak. This would cost big money of course, so the selectors wined and dined the CFO, and, after a few orange juices, the idea started to sink in. As he raised his gaze from his shoes, a gleam could be seen in the eye of our accountant - the pie charts at date night illustrating RoI, the sponsorship dollar, another appearance on national TV, the merchandising – he was sold! And think of the gate - the terraces would be packed again for the first time since the touring Indian side played there in 1956 (albeit at hockey, but the way the Gypsies play, who would know the difference?).
So, in the wood panelled room, high above Bedlam Bay, phone calls were made, emails flew back and forth. The deals were as good as done. The 3 Ws wouldn’t know what hit them. An outright in a one-dayer would almost propel the Gypsies into first place. This was big! The press were sniffing round, aware that something was afoot. Some selectors reported being stalked by the gutter press, but that may have been related to the lunch time concerts at Madam Lash’s. It was all coming together.
Then……
The word came from on high – me and the bros all want to play ‘cos it’s my 200th game. What the !!! Here we were, about to give those western Sydney upstarts their comeuppance and it’s all shelved because we have to find places for three non-descripts. The CFO wasn’t going to spend money on that – he may as well keep using “admin costs” to fund those weekend jaunts to Penrith Lakes. One by one, the stars evaporated – Junior’s thumb was hurting, Cil had to go to Queensland (presumably on the Tardis), the Premier wanted to announce cycling laws – the excuses were patently thin, but what could be done? Even Damo said he’d leave if corruption was that entrenched – go to the country, soak up the sun, grow a beard.
Only the promise of a Cohen/Casey bar-b-que and the prospect of the big boys thundering across Bedlam got enough raggle taggle Gypsies together to take on the 3 Ws.
President(Acting) assumed the mantle and promptly lost the toss and the Gypsies took the field before a record-breaking crowd of perhaps 20 (Jobie and clone, Bobo, other grizzled veterans, WAGs, the next generation of Gypsies) a girl in a bikini and the black knight (strangely at home in the grounds of Gladesville hospital). Nick arrived with the bar-b-que – sans gas!! The 3 Ws started like there was no tomorrow (the memory of last year’s semi, apparently still burning), Ben F-S rolling back the mists of time to lead the cordon probing the far reaches of the 3Ws’ pysche. On the good side, the CFO got some money through opening spell, no wicket, dropped catches and missed runouts. Somehow, the Gypsies dismissed the 3 Ws for 197 in 34.2 overs (B1 7/1/4/21; Damo, in his swan song, 3.2/0/3/17; Ben 3 catches). But, not too bad, less than a run a ball, and, strangely, Bedlam had been mown (had Huge been walking the dog again?).
The Gypsies got off to an absolute flyer – sadly in wickets, rather than runs, with Gerber and Damo both running themselves out. They each did this well, needing no help from their partners. B1 (15) and V (74) had the 3Ws on the ropes, until they both surrendered their wickets to a muppet after a drinks break. Perhaps the highlight of the day was the 3Ws, on learning that Will was playing his 200th game, forming a guard of honour as he limped to the wicket, to bring up the milestone with a binary. Chopper gave the ball a bit of a nudge in his 16, and the F-S brotherhood came equal 5th top score, with a combined total of 8 (the only reminder of former glory being that hat – a little less green, but still a red rag to opposition bowlers). Will, in familiar role, packed the kit, tears dropping onto the lady’s bald pate. Nick, although comprehensively stumped, got 9.93562 for his pirouette – only the Russian judge spoiling the perfect score. Gypsies all out for 175 (Girish stranded 94 from his ton), and we head into the break in typical Gypsy fashion - a club in crisis!
However, as the sun went down over Bedlam Bay, with the eastern hillside bathed in a soft golden glow and the quiet murmuring of the lapping of waves from the foreshore, the Gypsies really got down to business. The rumble in the jungle, which was probably felt in Auckland, was won by Glenn (who had spent the afternoon with his feet up, supervising Cohen at the bar-b-que, whilst Craig gave his all in the field). We not only had a Christmas Gift, but a Ladies Gift as well, and the Gypsies celebrated Will’s 200th in the centre of the ground, suitably attired, singing “Under the Southern Cross”.
As the stars started twinkling in the firmament, and moonlight began playing on the dew, the Gypsies slunk off into the gloaming, and the selectors had their straps tightened as they were led back to their padded cells, muttering “if only we’d played Duck, or Hagley, or …”.
At the North Pole, Santa tossed the letter from the Gypsies – all we want for Christmas is a win – into the fire and went out into the night to snuggle up to Rudolph.
|
|
|
| West Ryde Warriors 1st innings |
| Shanahan, Jim |
6 overs, 1 for 45 |
| Singh, Varinder |
3 overs, 0 for 22 |
| Barnett, Tim |
7 overs, 4 for 21 |
| Walsh, Damien |
3.5 overs, 3 for 17 |
| Masters, Tony |
7 overs, 1 for 39 |
| Tan, Daryl |
4 overs, 0 for 19 |
| Lakhwani, Girish |
4 overs, 0 for 33 |
|
| Kurrajong Gypsies 1st innings |
| Gerber, Matt |
8 |
| Walsh, Damien |
2 |
| Barnett, Tim |
15 |
| Singh, Varinder |
74 |
| Tan, Daryl |
8 |
| Archer, Darrell |
13 |
| Shanahan, Jim |
16 |
| Fenton-Smith, Nick |
5 |
| Fenton-Smith, Ben |
3* |
| Fenton-Smith, Will |
1 |
| Lakhwani, Girish |
6* |
|
|
