THEY DON’T MAKE GARGOYLES LIKE THEY USED TO
In the annual Alstonefield Cricket Club six a side match on Sunday, it was the Old Raikes who, once again, gave the coaching in cricket intelligence to the New Hopers. It is said, with age comes wisdom and the way the Old Raikes paced their 30 over innings to amass a total of 218 and then applied bowling pressure to restrict the New Hopers to just 171, to secure a handsome win, was proof indeed. Cricketing savvy, backed by skills honed over the years, really does win matches, however old and aching the limbs.
The great thing about a six a side match, is that everybody has the opportunity to perform and make a statement about their cricket. Captain Simon Smith will have been delighted with the high standard of the cricket, pleasantly surprised at some of the individual performances and reassured by the consistency of the regular Gargoyles players’ contributions.
All in all, a highly competitive match, where everyone played to the best of their ability on a beautiful summer’s afternoon.
Fittingly, the Old Raikes victory was sealed in the final over by Tony Spybey, now in his 73rd season, whose arcing loop of tantalisation mesmerised the New Hopers batsman, gently kissed the stumps and dislodged the bails. Perfect.
Tony “I’ve forgotten more about cricket than you’ll ever know” Spybey
Old Raikes 218 for 5, beat New Hopers 171 for 8, by 47 runs.