Harry Everett reports on a rare tie in the F Division East! 167 for each side after 79.3 out of a possible 80 overs.
As tempting as it is to wax hackneyed cricketing phrase, this last-ball thriller was in fact a turgid game played out in almost incessant drizzle, enlivened only by an improbable finish as both teams were foiled in their apparent ambition to lose.
The long-term Upottery skipper Mark Joyce started it, inexplicably electing to bat in unfavourable conditions and continued by losing his leg stump to an admittedly half-decent Damien Armes inswinger. The other opener, Matt Button-Stephens, dug in for 63 off 110 before running himself out in the penultimate over. The rest of the lineup filled the book with dots but Sidbury chivvied the score along with 34 recorded extras and some more that the scorebook conceals.
All that being said, the game was brought momentarily to life by Steve Crick's leaping catch at mid-wicket, saving six runs into the bargain. Indeed, it was only when Crick was on the pitch that anything much happened at all. Not very Marxist!
Chasing 168, Sidbury looked impregnable at 71-0 and 129-2 but collapsed to 150-9 as only they know how. Crick joined Sam Sanders at the crease and the last over dawned with Sidbury needing 11 to tie and 12 to win. Even a generous dollop of apologetic wides to begin looked academic but with four balls remaining, Crick laid down his bat and removed his gloves.
A look into the man's eyes would surely have revealed possession. The bowler looked on nervously, mid-off cleared his throat. Crick pinned back his shoulders and turned up his collar. He re-gloved and spun his blade in his hands before settling once more at the crease. Down came the ball, heave went the bat, away went the ball, arcing massively over wide mid-on for six! Scores tied, one needed from three! Dot, dot, wicket and an even share of the points.
Some excitement, who needed 90 minutes of Euros final football to dampen the thrill of this cricketing finish?
Editor's note: Ties are extremely rare in the Tolchards DCL. Some seasons come and go without any at all. Round 11 in this season's competiton was therefore extra-ordinary as there were two ties on the same day. The other was in the D Division West game between Plymouth CS&R and Ipplepen II.
