See what I did there? Try? Rugby? No? Okay, lets get on with the report from yesterday's return match between SpecialEffect Tigers v Witney RFC at Charlbury Cricket Club.
They're back ... Witney RFC ... Tiger tamers
It was a strong Ambush that took to the field against the Witney Rugby lads after the mauling the Tigers took over at Carterton in May. The only noticeable absence being skipper Chris Grain who had popped down to London for an Italian the night before and never came back. Next time you're peckish Chris, go for an Indian or Chinese ... we've got plenty of them in Witney.
But, with Alan Brackley joining the Ambush for the first time this season, what we lacked in batting strength we more than made up for with bowling.
Witney RFC won the toss and put the Tigers into bat on a wicket that had soaked up plenty of rain in the days before the game. Robbie Nichoslon and Geoof Hoare looked like they were seeing the ball well enough but a difference of opinion over a quick single saw Geoff walking back to the pavilion with just five to his name. Ed Juszczak didn't hang around too long as he fell to Charlie Bennett.
With his brother missing, John Grain strode out to grab some of the glory with the bat. And so he did. Starting with a cameo to Robbie Nicholson's bludgeoning of the Witney RFC bowling, once Robbie had 'retired on 50' with a breathtaking 63 Mr Grain started to score freely himself. At one point he hit the unfortunate Will Hook for three consecutive sixes. That was until Will Hook remembered the four wickets he had taken over at Carterton and had Grain smartly caught by Owen Fowler for 38.
Tigers Man of the Match Robbie Nicholson with 63 not out and THAT catch
John Grain. Four 6's in an innings of 38
The rest of the Tigers batting was cleared up by Witney RFC's Mutchkett with very little resistence. Floyd bowled for 8, Cam Newton-Grain bowled for 1 and James Harrison dismissed in the same way for a duck. The only Tigers duck of the day, that one James.
So, with a Tigers score of 130-6 to aim at and the promise of Brackley and Nicholson pace to come, Witney RFC might have wondered if it might not be their day. Not for long.
Todd and Monks got Witney RFC off to a strong start, piling on runs despite some pretty stingy bowling from Alan Brackley.
With Stu Duff introduced to the bowling attack the Tigers' fortunes changed. Floyd at short square leg, making up for an earlier dropped chance, held on to a full-blooded pull from Todd. The opening partnership was broken.
What followed was one of the best Tigers' fielding displays we've witnessed since we first took to the field in 2009. With his opening partner one, Monks caught a top edge to another Duff delivery and Floyd was there to snap it up again. The Tigers were relieved to see the back of Monks who departed the crease with a well earned 36.
Next to go for Witney RFC was Owen Fowler. A 'Yes, yes, no', a sharp throw from Alan Brackley to the keeper from deep mid-wicket and John Grain applied the finish touch to see Owen carry on running to the pavilion for 1.
Grain combined with Rob Webb for the wicket of Charlie Bennett soon after. The slightest of nicks off the slow right-armer and Grain was happy to take a comfortable catch. Bennett, a real danger man in the previous game, gone for 18. The Ambush breathed in the sweet smell of hope. Or maybe we were just standing downwind of the Finstock sewerage works.
Right. At this point lets just take a moment to relive the brilliance of Robbie Nicholson's catch down at the long on boundary. With three catches and a run out more than we usually take in a game, Henry Lamb must have thought he was on safe ground when he went for his 'big heave' off Stu Duff. We all thought it was heading for six. Robbie didn't. Covering a good twenty yards, Robbie took the catch on the dive to send Lamb walking for 3.
Tigers' Stu Duff saw off both Witney RFC openers with a spell of 3-0-15-3
As Will Hook hung around at the crease in a support role, Simon Copperwheat decided enough was enough. Smashing a couple of fours and six on his way to a match deciding 24, Simon eventually fell foul to a mis-comunication between the wickets. A Floyd throw from square leg and Robbie Nicholson completed the run out and staked his claim to the Tigers' Man of Match.
Simon Copperwheat. A skippers innings to see Witney RFC to victory
But the Captain's innings was just too much for the Tigers to withstand. While Cam Newton-Grain and Robbie Nicholson made a valiant last-stand effort to stem the Witney RFC runs, it just remained for Will Hook and Kallis to cruise past the Tigers score with ten balls of the innings remaining.
Witney RFC finished on 131-6 to win by 4 wickets.
A great afternoon of cricket played against a smashing bunch of fellas at what is surely one of the nicest venues in Oxfordshire. Thanks to Witney RFC for a brilliant game and Charlbury Cricket Club for lending us your facilities. And a massive, massive thank you to Charlbury CC tea-lady, Cher, for a fantastic spread.
Let's end with an Aaaaaaaaah! It's Tiger Cub Wilf Brackley and Dad, Alan
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