Last Sunday, the Optimists Cricket Club enjoyed their first friendly match of the season against the newly formed Knight Riders CC. Thanks to the monumental efforts and hard work from the ground staff, the PWCG was looking stunning, especially given the weather they have had to contend with over the past couple of weeks.
The Optimists fielded a side that exuded experience and weight and with high hopes (that were immediately dented), skipper Richard Neale lost the toss and were invited to bowl first. The format was a 30 over match.
Robbie Williams opened the bowling with Arvind Pandey. The pair bowled well with movement both ways and really restricted the Knight Riders openers. After 10 overs, KRCC were 33-0 but looking to try and build momentum. Enter from stage right, the deadly left arm round duo of Mark Fitzgerald and Mike West. Today was the turn of Fitz to run through the top and middle order and he did so with gusto. The speed gun had him clocked hitting the 90 mark…. (kmph) and wicket-keeper, Ben Embleton certainly felt a few hammer into his gloves. Sharp catches were caught in the slips by William Heath and Robbie Williams. This, combined with some truly insightful and forward thinking captaincy (feel free to call William Heath at any time of the night or day to learn more about this mastery), the Optimists were putting the pressure on the KRCC batsmen.
Aggressive fielding positions and a good partnership between Singh and Sheikh helped KRCC increase the run rate during the middle overs but with wickets falling to Burleigh, West and the retuning Williams, KRCC could not quite complete the allocated 30 overs and finished on 170 all out.
Pick of the bowlers were Mark Fitzgerald (3-11) and Robbie Williams (2-15).
After a 15 minute break between innings, gasps and panic were heard and seen from the Walferdange Rugby Club who were training on the pitch next to us. They were witnessing the Optimists opening pair of Timmy Andrews and William Heath striding towards them and were visibly shaken and scared. Once they realised, these two behemoths of men were walking in the wrong direction and turned to enter the playing surface of the PWCG, the relief on the faces of the rugby guys was obvious. Not so though for the KRCC bowlers, who managed to subdue the pair with some tight bowling. Andrews fell early on trying to increase the run-rate which saw Ben Embleton make a welcome return to the crease. Heath and Embleton both looking solid but facing a strong bowling attack, found it hard to increase the run rate.
Embleton was next go and this was the catalyst for a flurry of wickets with Sambhav Puri dismissed for a duck and the club legend, Phil Burleigh run out for 5. Neale joined Heath and the scoreboard started to tick over at a slightly quicker rate with both batsman finding the boundary on several occasions. However, the responsibility of the run-chase was once again placed on the shoulders of Heath as Neale departed trying to hit over the top and was caught at mid-on.
Heath brought up a fine half-century and anchored the innings well. Unfortunately none of the other batsmen were able to settle and support Heath. The ex-Chairman, ex-Skipper, ex-Groundsman was eventually dismissed for 58 which left the tail to fend for itself. Fend they did, but unfortunately, the run rate was just a bit too much and although some lusty blows were witnessed from Pandey, West and Fitzgerald it was not enough and the Optimists finished their 30 overs on 134/8.
Although it was a loss, it was excellent match, played in the right spirit by both teams and our congratulations go to Knight Riders CC.
The 1st XI will be playing their first game of the season this Sunday (13th June) against Mechelen Eagles. It will be at home and I encourage you to come down the PWCG to watch. Due to Covid rules, there is no alcohol allowed though.