In Memoriam, Niall Mackay

Whitchurch skipper John contacted CCC ahead of the game and asked if we could observe a minute's silence in memory of Niall Mackay, CCC stalwart and, latterly, Whitchurch resident. Of course we could. Jenny Mackay joined us for this. Whitchurch also proposed that we should stage an annual fixture for the Niall Mackay Cup, and that the match subs from that should go to the Pancreatic Cancer charity. Both excellent ideas that we wholeheartedly endorse.

The game itself, played at Whitchurch's lovely rural ground was an entertaining side show. With rain forecast we opted for 20/20. Whitchurch won the toss and put the Cubs in to bat. 'Sparkle, please could you open?" asked the skipper? 'No, no, anything but that' moaned Sparkle, although his dad persuaded him otherwise. He and the Howitzer stepped up and thrashed the bowling to all parts before Alec fell for 41. Bainesy scored his usual 50 (actually 19, Ed). 'You got me out, skip, for telling me to get off the mark with a six.' To be fair, Bainesy, you were well past your first ball by the time you spooned one up... Sparkle retired, triumphantly, on 50 not out. he might consider opening again. The skipper walloped enough sixes to get ahead of the Wazir in their six-hitting competition, not to mention in the averages. Chairman Reilly got into the spirit of 20/20 and thrashed one run off about four overs. Mongo took the initiative and stole the strike to claim 29 at the other end. 192 for 2 off our overs. Pick of the Whitchurch bowling was Cameron Bullock on loan (can you keep him, asked Bully senior?) Two overs, one maiden, just five runs.

We turned around straightaway into Blitzkrieg from the Whitchurch openers. Clarke was steady enough but Ryan got a bit of tap. Viljoen senior and Freddie Perkin reined the oppo in with a couple of wickets before Chris Baines (yes B A I N E S!!!!) ripped out the heart of Whitchurch's batting with a spell of two overs, 2 for 13. So that's what Bainesy is for! He's been a bowler all along. John Munday bowled a steady spell while further wickets fell to Howitzer and Mongo before Bully senior took off the gloves and pads and took the last over. A wicket first ball. He and Bainesy will be insufferable all winter long and will be vying to open the bowling for the 1s next season. Still, if it keeps them away from batting and wicket keeping that is a small price to pay. The final total was 162 and a fine all round team performance from the Cubs. Every one had a bowl bar the Chairman (bad back and fear of bowling another timeless over) and the skipper (fear of what the short boundaries might do to his bowling average).

Two more games to go and all to play for in the race for Sunday player of the season now the Borch has disappeared off to warmer parts and loosened his grip on the trophy. What price a late run from Bainesy?