Tuesday 27 June 2023
Sloths vs St Johns
49 for 7 off 12 overs. Chasing 122. The comeback was most definitely not on. When the sporting public think of sporting comebacks, they think of Ben Stokes at Headingley 2019, they think Liverpool 2005 in Istanbul, they think Bath City coming from 3-1 down to beat Eastbourne 4-3 away in August 2022 (don’t they?). Well now add Bathampton vs St John’s 2023 to that fabled list.
A strong Sloth bowling performance featuring a diving catch at gully by Jimmer (naturally, as he never catches one on his feet) and some FrithBall dominance restricted St John’s to 122.
Sloth skip Jimmer sent out the Bathampton Youth Batting Performance Squad and put his feet up ready to see youthful care-free runs flow in. Disaster struck! Harry bowled by one that looked like it moved but he later admitted only moved one way, and that was straight at his stumps. Fellow Frithkateer Sam / The New Bob Willis was dismissed to bring a succession of big guns to the crease. There must be something in the Bathampton water as Cam, Will and Tom brought pecs a-plenty but couldn’t muscle themselves to a decent score. Tom Dosn’t-Bat Jupe smoked a beamer into the canal and a few through the covers but the end came too soon. HRP defended his first ball (I now owe Stu a fiver) and tried to build himself an innings. However, wickets continued to fall as the runs stagnated and here is where we reach the start of our story. 49 for 7 after 12 overs, wisdom reaches the crease after the foils of youth before them. The Doc James Gordon and Jim Van Gogh Painter put together a partnership for the ages. As darkness fell, they kept their heads, leaving with authority and seeing twos early. Jimmer’s sumptuous straight drives and The Doc’s flicks to square kept the field spread. Both retiring after a 50 partnership, it was left to the metaphorically broad shoulders of Matt Adam Buxton Headon and Jonty King Of The Friths. With scores tied and two overs remaining, Matt stroked through the covers gloriously for two, perfectly ensuring the ball didn’t go for four so that Sloths could neatly secure victory.
Tinnies cracked open outside the shabby-chic second pavilion, Sloths bathed in a famous victory, sharing many a fist bump and grizzly “get-in-theeeeere’s”.