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Archive - 2004

August 2004 - Waldron CC Under Pressure

Wal & Andy James look with surprise as a Moose bowler takes a wicket!

Tommy Atkins' Match Report: Moose v Buzzards, 2004

The Moose v Buzzards game was a minor mis-match since Haycock had bunged three test has-beens a supply of winter logs from his small timber factory to keep them warm during the off season. Moose turned up, eager as ever, to be greeted by Robin Smith (test average 48), John Crawley and Alan Mullally. The Moose President moved swiftly into Roman Abramovitch mode and bunged Mullally sufficiently to ensure his services as second fiddle to Stewart Bob, a more experienced and wily seamer, a move to ensure a right arm/left arm opening attack of varying pace. 

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The early breakthrough was made by Bob, comprehensively bowling Smith, playing across the line, bowling a straight ball that took middle stump. Smith departed Bowerswaine Farm, on the pretext of watching his son play his first game for Bryanstan, although it was obvious to all that this was a fit of petulance.

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Crawley, recently overlooked by England, was buoyed up with the thought of the challenge of facing burly quick, Ed Atkinson, who had sustained a near fatal knee injury earlier in the season, captaining a strong Bluemantle's side against a minor county X1 in Tunbridge Wells. His wrath was vented against the Moose attack, bolstered by the left arm skills of Mullally, Harris and Kingham, his 80* proving crucial.

Chasing just over 220, the Moose batted valiantly, Kingham and his chum Alex John taking the fight to Bowerswaine. As a Moose victory looked ever more likely, Crawley effected a deft run out from cover, emasculating the Moose's drive to glory. West Indian star, Burke, had been an early victim, robbing the side of experience as one of the only double centurions on show. He and Mullally, affectionately known as Spider, giggled for most of the afternoon whilst drinking strong lager. The banter was broken up by Robin Budd and his quite young Norwegian fiancée, Nathilde, who announced that they were off for a 'snurgie'. It is still unclear what this is, although it was noted that she may be soft and downy. Budd, true to form, lost the plot later in the evening, going AWOL post table tennis, only to be found a few acres away from the action. His sensible decision to drive to London at 2am was roundly applauded by those Moose sufficiently enhanced to be awake at that hour.

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Typically, the Haycocks extended great hospitality to their visitors, although, again, the evening was not without incident, following Lindsay's unfortunate trip resulting in a nasty gash (she also cut her face).

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The Moose recruitment policy will focus on attracting test players to nullify the approaches of the idle rich to other first class cricketers, and with Rupert Bairamian at the helm this year, following his shotgun wedding in Sydney, prospects look good for a Moose victory, despite the catastrophic loss of lead player, Ed Atkinson, so much a match winner in any side.

The Moose complete with Alan Mullally

Match captains Chris Haycock & Ed Atkinson

The Buzzards with John Crawley

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