Dads v Lads Match Report

August 13th, 2010

 Match day happenings by Andre Stolarski

Dads line - up (The Carrots)

 Back row, left to right: Darren Slater (Dad), Pete Huffinley (Dad), Neil Humpleby (Dad), James Galvin (Dad-to-be), Chris Wood (Vice Captain - Uncle), Vic Stolarski (Grandad), Tom Stalley (Dad), Robin Kettlewell (Dad)

Front row, left to right: Richard Naylor (Dad), Mark Allman (Dad), Lucien Stolarski (Uncle), Andre Stolarski (Captain - Dad), Russ Brine (Dad) 

Missing: Tracy Malpass (Mum)

Lads Line - up

                Back row, left to right: Ross Kettlewell, Nathan Dalton, Mark Ferguson, Matty Humpleby, Adam 'Paddy' Patrick (Captain), Tom Huffinley, Tom Brine, Matty Stalley

Front row, left to right: Jack Allman, Adam Slater, Alex Naylor, Josh Chapman, Niall Rowlands, Abid Mehta, Harry Allman, Joe Stolarski

Play-by-Play

On a very, very gloomy, almost wintry evening, the innaugral Dads v Lads 20/20 challenge, was reduced to a 16/16 competition.  The toss was won by the Dads, and the Lads were asked to bat first. 

The confident, self-installed favourites strode to the wicket facing an 'experienced' and respendant line-up in their 'orange' gear, earning them the nickname of 'The Carrots', some who were making their cricketing debuts, and some who had retired long before any of the Lads were born!! Matty Humpleby and Tom Huffinley set about the attack, but when Richard Naylor took hold of the ball, it all changed!  He took a sharp return catch off of Tom, and when the Captain, Paddy came in and number 3, he ripped out his off stump first ball!!  The Dads crowded round Adam Slater on the hat trick ball, but he managed to fend it off safely. The run rate soon quickened as Matty retired on 15, and Nathan Dalton rapidly got to 16 and retired, by putting one on the Clubhouse roof!  Next in was the youngest and smallest member of the team, Alex 'Boycott' Naylor, whose obvious motto is 'Thou shalt not pass!'  He eventually retired on 1, as he continued to frustrate the 'Orange Army'.  James Galvin took a sound catch to remove Adam, and wicket keeper Lucien Stolarski took a lunging catch to remove Mark Ferguson.  Jack Allman came in with a late flourish also retired on 15.  The lads ended their innings with a par score of 73.

Under 11's manager, Mark Allman and Pete Huffinley opened up, and facing a fiery Nathan in the 'gloom', Mark was soon 'back in the tent', as his off stump was flattened!  Richard Naylor soon followed unluckily bowled off his pads.  At 10 for 2, the Lads were bouyant, but calm was restored by Pete and Robin Kettlewell who both retired on 15. Tom Stalley and Lucien soon lost their wickets, and a scramble for the pads started in the Dads changing room.  Russ Brine, James Galvin and Neil Humpleby kept the scoreboard ticking and started to close in on the Lads total. Russ and James were both sharply stumped, and with only two runs required, it was down to the very nervous Daz Slater to see us home, but alas he fell for a 'diamond duck' as he was adjudged short of his ground and given run out without facing a ball!  I have heard the saying 'Never send a bloke in to do a womans job', so Tracy Malpass was sent in to get the job done!  By clipping one round the corner, Tracy hit the winning run for the Dads, with 8 balls remaining! 

A superb evenings entertainment, which was enjoyed by young and old!  The trophy was presented in the Clubhouse, by the organiser (me!) to the Vice Captain of the Dads side, Chris Wood. My grateful thanks to Tracy Malpass who ran the Kitchen, to John Malpass and Roy Smith for doing the umpiring duties.  A fixture which I am sure will be in the diary again next year, when the Lads can attempt their revenge!!