Pig & Fiddle Football

Under the captaincy of Tanman (captain clubfoot) since June 2009

Legends lose as cricket wins

On a surprisingly rain-free Lansdown and with patches of evening sunshine, the playing, working and drinking members of the Pig & Fiddle congregated for our first Legends V Newcomers Twenty20 fixture.

Captained by Barks, the legends were made up mainly of bar staff past and present and experienced pig-footballers. In opposition, and captained by Pooman, the newcomers were assorted of Pig footballers whose rise to fame has been within the last 1-3 seasons and who, as yet, have not found themselves wage-slaved to the Pig (although M has been known to collect glasses in exchange for a can of pop in the past)

Legends
Barks - 71
Kempy - 0
Charlie - 4
Skip - 0
Mad Mike - 2
Chris Allen - 0
Alex Gough - 0
Benji - 0
Rich Green - 7
Bish - 26*
James Allen - 8
Olly Embleton - 11*

Extras - 8

Pig Newcomers
Pooman - 66*
Tanman - 13
Jonny West - 23
Alex Goode - 7
Nick Daines - 2
John Davies - 16
Rhys Kitson - 1*
M Haley - DNB
Ant Stone - DNB
Ryan - DNB
Russell Burge - DNB

Extras - 14


The legends batted first and were wobbly to say the least. Ducks from Kempy, Skip, Goughy, Chris and Benji left the middle order rattled with only Barks troubling the scorers with a thankfully majestic captain's innings. Talk of a follow-on was quickly rubbished however when the legends proved they could bat deep and with 52 from the last 4 batsmen (compared with 2 from the previous 4) they put on a respectable 137 after 20 overs. Special mention goes to Barks for the match top score of 71, Bish for a very much needed 26 not out and Rich Green, Jimmer and Olly for 7, 8 and 11 respectively.
The Newcomers were blessed with some excellent bowling, notably from Jonny West who had an excellent spell with the ball as well as Tanman and Pooman who pitched in with good overs. Nick Daines, Ryan and Alex Goode completed our bowling attack and every bowler took a wicket.

The Legends took to the field with the evening sun at eye-level and a breeze picking up to force the scorers to break out the blankets.

A captain's example was set by Pooman as he carried his bat with an unbeaten 66. Although encouraged to retire at 50 the self-centred batsman carried on to the bitter end leaving a small child padded up and waiting for the chance to bat that never came. Proof if proof were needed....

Tanman had a disappointing innings and once again was dismissed cheaply on a slightly high and down leg LBW decision.

Jonny West gave up his wicket by gloving the ball to Goughy following an enormous 6 that had been dangerously close to his own car. Nasty rumours abound that Jonny may have given his wicket away in order to attend a local pub quiz....

The bowling was varied with some very decent pace from Charlie, leg-spin from Bish, medium paced dobblers from Kempy and a mixed bag from the rest of the team. The legends should be commended for using 9 bowlers and Barks must get special mention for playing the game in exactly the right spirit. You'd never find him staying at the crease whilst a child was waiting to bat. Having said this the two men that he ran out may feel slightly differently about the top-scoring captain.

The wicket of the game goes to Charlie for sending Alex Goode's stump cart-wheeling out of the ground.
Shot of the game goes to Jonny West for his near car-ending 6
The "it's just not cricket" award for sledging and poor behaviour on the field could go to a number of players but Goughy wins it for his constant chat as wicket keeper which continued right up until the ball was approaching the batsman. We'll never be able to play Sunday cricket with this sort of behaviour.
Man of the match award is closely fought between Barks and Pooman but Bark's captaincy, brilliant 71 and "playing in the right spirit" sees him take the accolades.

Extra special thanks go to Mr Haley who kindly umpired the whole match and to the lovely trio of scorers in Polly, Kate and Fran who, despite a good deal of Rosé consumed, still managed to keep an accurate reflection of the score.

Same time next year.