12/5/07 - 2nd XI V Aston Rowant 2

Schubert’s B flat piano sonata – that epitome of Romantic striving after perfection – was playing on the car radio as your correspondent drove towards the opening moments of The Ratt’s 2007 Campaign. No surprise, then, to find Jim and George already at the ground, each in their own distinctive way, evidencing youth, vitality and continuation of their individual searches after the truth.

Cancellation of other games had swelled the ranks of spectators among whom was Baggs after not just one but two encounters with a hockey stick looking as colourful and variegated as any Augusta azalea and Ross in as vile a piece of headgear as one could hope to encounter this side of Wagga Wagga.

Aston Rowant lost the toss so the spectators settled down to witness the more than welcome return of Stevo to the OBNCC ranks. He was sent to the crease with Hugh wearing a pair of borrowed trousers back to front for extra confidence. In fact this pair did not disappoint. Stevo was soon in the groove and Hugh, pinging one high over the square leg boundary, kept him good company.

80 for 0 in less than 20 overs almost gave hope for better things. But both Hugh and Tim succumbed to that deadly ball, the looping full toss, and then Stevo was cut off in his prime for a 45 that could very easily have been more. We lost our way except for a few well struck shots from Mark and our confusion became evident when Pablo and Ryan found themselves at the same end of the pitch.  The 80 was only just doubled and we closed, in a rain shortened forty overs, on 168-7.

The tea was of a noticeably high order. Thanks to new tea person, Mrs. Gregor, the side went out into the field well fortified.

Hugh took the new ball and astonished himself, the rest of the side and possibly even opener Levick by producing a bouncer. Either by accident or design his next ball was full length and straight enough to produce an lbw decision. The classic one-two perpetrated on the OUP ground in early May.

At the other end Jim did not seem quite to have mustered the springy, zestful approach to the wicket his fans are used to, it being still early in the season, but was nonetheless steady and difficult to get away. The score was kept in check for some overs. Just as Rowant’s second opener was beginning to open up Hugh induced a nick that was safely gathered in by John behind the stumps. He followed it with a fine caught and bowled when the ball was driven hard into his midriff. Clapping his hand onto the source of pain, he found the ball still lodged there and claimed the catch.

At which point a heavy rain storm drove all from the field towards consultation of that source of all wisdom, the Cherwell League rule book. Rowant lost twelve overs before the sun came out again.

Undeterred, Rowant went for it. A series of fine upstanding young gentlemen came to the crease to engage in a six hitting competition. They interrupted this by attempting to steal a quick single but The Ratt swooped from midwicket and threw the stumps down – no replay could determine whether George’s hands had contributed or not.

It finally came down to 14 needed off three balls of which the first went for six. Mustering all his wisdom and experience, George attacked with a slow full toss. It was mishit and the spectators were relieved to see Stevo beneath the skier. He caught it in the ungainly Australian way and the match was drawn.