Our final away fixture for 2004 saw us heading off to Jesus College's beautiful cricket ground for the first time this century (if you don't count wash-outs or opposition no-shows). Today's opposition was nominally Christ's College's graduate students, led by Remnant Chris Martin, but seemed to be comprised largely of random Australians and New Zealanders.
We fielded first (due to being, rather unusually, the more punctual team), and promptly put in one of the lamest performances in recent memory. The bowlers sprayed the ball everywhere, and most of the fielders were pretty lacklustre, with the notable exception of Tom Jordan and John Gull, both of whom employed such radical techniques as (gasp) diving or (shock) putting their body behind the ball. Les Collings could also hold his head high -- after some immaculate work ``riding'' the square boundary he bowled the day's best spell, taking 1/21 (although it should have been two- or three-for, but for -- wait for it -- poor catching). The only other wicket-taker was Daniel Mortlock (1/5), who facillitated Russell Woolf taking his first Remnants catch since 1999.
Meanwhile the Christ's batsmen were having a great time of it: they got off to a flying start (34/0 after three overs), and didn't lose their first wicket 'til the 10th (six-ball) over. Our main tormentor was, as ever, one of our own, Chris Martin hitting an impressive 77*. (It could well have been a century but for the fact that the innings was shortened to 18 overs when Rog- er, Geoff noticed the Sun sinking rapidly towards the treeline.) In the end we were dead lucky to be facing a total of ``just'' 136/2 -- 7.5 runs an over would be a challenge, but at least we were still in the hunt.
A hunt that begun with Russell Woolf (30 off 30 balls) and Phil Watson (28 off 36 balls) combining for an entertaining, if at times unorthodox, opening partnership. Phil was the more canny of the pair but, after some failed swipes, Russ played one of the season's more spectacular innings, highlighted by three consecutive fours off one hapless Christ's bowler. John Gull (10 off 8 balls) kept up the good tempo, but when he and Phil were out off consecutive balls we were struggling: 53 needed off six overs with two new batsmen at the crease.
Andy Owen and George Speller were the batsmen in question, and both performed brilliantly. Andy (30* off 16 balls) was just continuing his 2004 form, raising his average to an absurd 242.00, but George's unexpectedly explosive innings of 19* off 12 balls can, I think, only be explained in terms of evolutionary biology. Being watched by a potential mate, he felt the need to assert his dominance immediately (by racing to 15 off four balls) before placating the competitor at the other end of the pitch by appearing to cede his superiority thereafter. Whatever, the two of them put on 55 flamboyant runs off just 29 balls, Andy hitting a six to win the match with more than an over to spare.
George immediately vanished (presumably to enjoy the fruits of his labours), but the rest of us headed off to the college bar . . . only to find an infestation of under-age American students whose presence had rendered the place an alcohol-free zone. Thus it was off to the St Radegund for a pint or three, deciding against the passe ``dinner'' option in favour of the possibility of one more smile from the girl behind the bar . . .