B4 Round 5 v Cromer BBQ (Passmore 1)
Result: First innings loss
Players Player: Rob Lavery
Toss: ??

Fear the children...

The old cliche of a game of two halves certainly applied, With Matt Fisher's team having our chances to take the match, but not quite finishing off a young Cromer side on the ground "where it all began" for MBCC three years ago. (The teams then-and-now captain Mark Hill was off with army exercises for two weeks - fortunately not part of George W's strike farce).

Breakers first innings was a mixture of styles - a fast start from the top order, with a series of unluckily dismissals (Pat's unlucky run of outs continued after a careful 14). Mr Reliabily, Rob Lavery, and stand in skipper Matty Fisher moved the score along nicely, Matt notching a 50. The dismissal of both, plus quick scorers Doug Alley and Tony Brown, saw a change of approach. The lower order, lead by Jimmy Johnston (20), Col Henderson, Matt Phillips (minus his reverse sweep) and a road-block innings from Rog Moore, added a further 30-odd vital tenacious runs, and giving a handy score of 175.

Cromer's young side bowled well, one opening bowler operating most of the day off a long run. (Was he looking for Everready Batteries as a sponsor)?

Unfortunately, this was a day when our bowling wasn't quite on song, with late exception of Jeff Monin (3 overs for 2 runs and no luck at all in the wicket department) and Doug Alley. The Cromer team finished the day 92 without loss, scoring quickly and leaving us with some work to do the next week.

And on Day 2, how well we lifted. We were two players short (although Al LeMarchand returned to Breakers colours to fill one of them), but the bowling was excellent. Pat Ryan, quick and menacing with the ball, removed the openers and was a constant meance and the others followed him well. Cromer got to the first innings, amid a lot of talk, and our edge was lost a little. Seeking the outright, they declared and sent us back in.

And once again the game was to turn. After stand in opener Dave Lang chopped on (if I recall), Pat Ryan strode out announcing he was "going to have a go" at the bowling. Cromer were chatty and confident with the Breakers one down. A few overs later, they had taken off their best bowlers and the game was out of their grasp.

Pat simply pounded their bowling out of the game, and the rest of the batsmen followed suit. After a boundary studded 29, Pat was replaced by skipper Matt Fisher. Matt, earlier one of the bowlers who had tied up the Cromer batsmen, scored 15 and we were almost out of trouble. Meanwhile, Rob Lavery pounded the bowling into submission, and the game was headed for a draw.

Ironically, MBCC B3s were also playing Cromer ("Boys", not "BBQ") and captain Phil Sweet had been dismissed for a fine 99. As Rob and Doug Alley belted the part time bowling all over the field (and into a couple of cars parked in the wrong place by people unfamilar with the dangers of flying cricket balls), the thought went round that Rob was heading for the 100 Phil had so narrowly missed. News the B3's skipper good naturedly :-), and accepted, was given via the inveitable cell phone hook up.

Rob's march to a century, on a warm day with no chance of a result, was the only remaining interest in the game. Bizzarly, lightening was to strike again for the Breakers club. A good shot and good catch saw Rob join Phil in a strange duel achievement: both out for 99, as Rob told him over the phone a few minutes later. This must be a record of sorts - I know two New Zealanders scored 99 in the same test, but no True Blue Aussie (I am an ANZAC at worst for the record) wants to be in that sort of company.

With Rob's dismissal, the game was obviously over and a draw. Breakers wanted to stop then and start "supporting the sponsor", Brookvale Hotel. Cromer demanded we stay on, becuase they wanted the practice. (Nets anyone?) Doug Alley, 30-odd not out, gave the casting vote. Sensing a 50 on offer he wanted to stay on. Tony Brown stayed with him as Dougy duely notched up a 50 in a few short overs, at which point the game was called off.

We can put this one down to, close but... Still, Rob and Phil did create Breakers history!

Rob added to his player of the day collection, with two fine knocks and good all round fielding.