Alwoodley Away - Game 3

Saturday 6th May 2006

Alwoodley away, maybe the powers that be should declare this as a 'Site of Outstanding Natural Beauty'. No offence to any of our Woodhouse friends but within a week the ICC has seen probably the 2 most contrasting of grounds Division C has to offer... Alwoodley is set back away from the hustle and bustle of a busy main road and driving slowly down the little dirt lane you are transported into a beautiful and peaceful haven of sport. 2 cricket grounds are adjacent to Old Leo's Rugby Club and Alwoodley CC is bordered by deep, dark woodland where the songs of whistling birds are only temporarily silenced by leather on willow, the occasional polite applause for a good shot... or the annoying honk of Mrs Harrison’s car horn when the ICC have taken another wicket!!!

Ilkley went into this game on the back of successive opening victories and with an unchanged team from the Woodhouse game. Spirit was good and a bit of pre-game slip catching settled any nerves some may have had, Dick managing to catch every single chance that came his way... a sign of things to come perhaps?
The Skip lost another toss but it didn't matter as Alwoodley chose to put us in which is what he wanted!

Simon and Bails opened as per usual and despite the awkward slant the wicket has both played the ACC quickies well, particular Schwerdty who seemed to enjoy the ball coming on to him that bit quicker. Bail’s was out very uncharacteristically however, playing all round a straight one.

Cocky went in with the score 30-1 and he too was soon back in the pavilion, unfortunate to play on as only the one bail was dislodged.

In walked Santy. Within minutes however, the Alwoodley keeper had taken an absolute stormer to dismiss Aussie Simon... the ICC lads and to be fair the Alwoodley team could not believe their eyes as this was the same man who so far couldn't catch the proverbial cold! So Paul now joined Santy in the middle and the ICC were at a rocky 60-3 with 32 overs left.

Paul and Santy batted really well and with these two attacking batsmen ICC were never in danger of retreating into their shells. Santy in particular was going for his shots and was fortunate to be dropped on a number of occasions. But ride his luck he did and the ICC faithful were more than happy with the generosity of the Alwoodley fielders!

With 10 overs to go Santy and Paul had steered the ship safely and Paul went for a booming drive only to be held at cover. Paul wasn't to know he was so close to making his maiden 50 for the ICC finishing on 45 but he should take solace that if he continues to bat in this vein that landmark is only just round the corner.

Fellow new boy Wheels replaced Paul and he decided to go for the tired Alwoodley jugular, immediately hitting 8 from his first three balls and encouraging a weary Santy to continue playing his aggressive game. More dropped catches were to follow before Santy was clean bowled with 6 overs left. He finished on 69 and was warmly applauded by the ICC dressing room for a job well done.

Captain Quaife came and went with a dubious lbw that even the Alwoodley bowler thought Guppy had middled!

Not that this was to matter as Rhodesy Lad came in and smashed the ACC bowlers all round the ground, including one huge 6! Wheels and Rhodes tormented the Alwoodley quickies and Rhodesy helped nick a few extra runs with some excellent running between the wickets.
Wheels and Rhodes both carried their bats and the ICC finished on 220-6.

The Alwoodley teas were a hearty affair and were enjoyed by all. However, during the break the ICC players seemed oblivious to the fact that a huge black cloud was making its way toward the ground!
And on entering the field of play to get the Alwoodley reply underway spots of rain were indeed falling. Not that this was to put off Rhodes and Harrison who soon used the conditions to their advantage, getting the ball to nip and dart round. The rain became heavier and the batsmen were now gesturing to the umpires to come off. To the umpires credit however, they let play continue and after 6 overs the shower had past... credit where its due, the umpires were right in allowing play to go on.
Finally, Rhodesy Lad got his reward and indeed his first wicket of 2006 as the Alwoodley opener holed out to Wheels at mid-on. 4 balls later and Rhodes was unlucky as the new batsmen edged to first slip where the normally reliable Harrison dropped it. (Maybe Dick had used all his luck at slip practice!). Rhodes kept his head up and watched in awe as Bails took the catch of the season so far with a splendid one handed catch far to his left at mid-wicket. Superb!
And before long Rhodesy got another, Guppy taking a smart chance at mid on.

Captain Quaife decided to take the tiring Rhodes off and brought Cocky into the action. With Dick bowling a tight and economic line at the other end, the ICC were taking a real stranglehold on the game.
Cocky once again didn't take long to get into the game and with his 5th ball bowled the ACC number 4 all ends up!

At the other end Dick finally got the wicket his spell deserved as Jo Varley took a nick close behind the stumps. At 60-5 the Alwoodley lower order had two options – ‘Option 1’ - dig deep, bat properly and try and get a point or ‘Option 2’ - play recklessly, go for big shots and give their wickets away cheaply. They went for option 2!

Cocky then bowled one of his clever full tosses that Guppy snaffled up. Then Rhodesy became the new owner of the title 'Catch of the Season' as he somehow managed to jump 2 yards in the air and pluck a bullet from the sky from Harrison’s bowling.

Jayes now replaced Dick and maybe should have held on to a chance off his own bowling in his first over... he certainly wishes he had as the fumbled attempt split his finger open and he wimpered off the field to find a plaster!

With his confidence on the up Cocky took the game by the scruff and proceeded to open up the soft underbelly of the Alwoodley batsmen and took his second 5for in successive weeks! Well bowled lad!

Ilkley 220-6 (Sant 69, Dover 45, Wheeler 34*,Schwerdt 24) Alwoodley 99 all out (Cockcroft 5-31, Rhodes 3-26)

After the game some interesting stats from resident Statto Paul 'The Bustler' Dover were noted.

In three games this season ICC have scored over 200 runs each innings.

In these three games the ICC bowlers have bowled mangaged to bowl the opposition out twice.

Only once in these games has a catch been put down.

So Alwoodley capitulated for 99 and the ICC juggernaught rumbles along. Captain Quaife was quick to praise his men but quite rightly equally as quick to tell them that the high standards must be kept, that a long season is ahead and to battle to the death.