Brian Mollet
June’s tumultuous stormclouds had Lomath Oval, Mullumbimby, looking more like the Marshes of Mordor than the site for the series that other series wish they could serialise, the Nick Shand Cricket.
In July the sun finally shone for shirewide cricket buffs, the ring (of clouds) was unmade and some serious social sport could be had.
The Left Bankers took time off from digging mantraps in their mountain compounds to take on the eclectic Geckos, who insinuate themselves onto the field from all points of the compass.
The famous turf was wild and unkempt as your daughter’s biker boyfriend and bedecked by patrolling green ants poised on the end of a grass tendril to hitch a ride to where no finger can probe.
James of the Geckos won the toss and chose to bat, opening along side the world’s oldest teenager Adeha, and taking the bedreadlocked outfield out of play with a flurry of sixes over midwicket on his way to 31 n/o.
BJ (3–12) got results with his steady seamers and soon the Bankers were profiting hugely as the Geckos wandered, meandered, and then lost their way.
Scruff, Russ, Phil and Rob all took wickets as the Geckos limped to 90 all out although some eyebrows were raised by the apparent inability of the Bankers to take the catch that would have seen James return for his second dig.
The Geckos started well in the field with James tickling Sean’s off stump and Drew banging in some lively early overs.
From there Russ (32 n/o) and Scruff (31 n/o) ran away with the game despite Rosco’s wicket maiden and some stylish bowling from the tenacious Aslan.
Rob (24 n/o) and Jim clipped up the winning runs with plenty of overs to spare and the Geckos were left wondering how they could clone James in time for their next outing.
This Sunday Main Arm emerge from their dome-house cocoons to battle the fully workshopped Byron Full-Tossers.
Rob McGregor launches into another six on his way to an unbeaten 24 for the Left Bankers. Photo Ross Kendall
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