Quokka'd: Quokkas 18 June 2006 Glaxo
Report by: the Nurdler

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For those who missed the email discussion last week:

The Quokka (Setonix brachyurus) is a small macropod, about the size of a large domestic cat. Like other marsupials in the macropod family (such as the kangaroos and wallabies), the Quokka is herbivorous and mainly nocturnal.

(Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quokka accessed 19/6/06)

So now you know.

Regrettably, our opponents were somewhat larger than domestic cats and, if nocturnal, were unusually active in daylight hours. Enough of marsupials however, on to the cricket.

Severe delays in travel thanks to weekend repairs on just about every tube line in existence meant a late, late start (and a 35 over game) with Salix batting first. The openers put fifty on the board in respectable time, the boundary was being located with reasonable regularity and the hundred was passed with only three wickets down a couple of overs after drinks.

At this point, a collective madness appeared to seize the team and wickets were tossed away merrily, the home side ending up at 174 all out with several overs unused. Five an over needed by the Quokkas. We repaired to the clubhouse for a new improved Glaxo tea (smoked salmon sandwiches!) and discussed tactics ? well no, we watched Australia v Brazil until Herr Direcktor dragged us back out. Here started the drama. Tony and the Bison somehow contrived to avoid running out one of the openers (Mantis) after both batsmen had ended up at the same end. The other opener (the Caveman) then top-edged a ball from Rog into his face and went down for the full count. A scary moment. Fortunately he revived and was helped off for a rapid application of ice and a trip to the local A&E.

Despite this loss, Quokkas continued to score pretty rapidly and, although Rog got the number three and Dave bowled their skipper with a beauty, (a jaffa! Ed) at drinks, they were on the run rate with only two down. Salix were in need of a miracle, and it very nearly happened. Elvis took the season?s second hat-trick and added a fourth wicket the over after, Stuart chipped in with one and suddenly, the match had turned on its head. Unfortunately for us, their opener (yes ? the one we should have run out by a street) was now batting with great confidence and no little skill. He farmed the strike effectively, and although Stuart eventually got their number ten, the last man held out until the winning runs were scored. (the winning runs were in fact a 6, which took him to 99) Oh yes, we dropped their opener when they were still about 16 shy of the target ? well this is Salix. Defeat, plucked from the jaws of victory, snatched from the brink of defeat.

Congratulations to The Quokkas, who held their catches and were a great opponents. I look forward to the return. And a big up to Mrs James who watched the whole thing. That's devotion beyond the call of duty Ed

Salix CC versus Quokkas at Glaxo on 18-06-2006 (35 Over Game) Salix CC (batting first) 174 for 9 off 35 overs Match Lost Quokkas 176 for 9 off 33 overs
No Player Score How Out 1. Mark Dyson 20 Caught 2. Dominic Spillane 34 Bowled 3. Charlie Hewitt 0 Caught 4. Andy Rayner 19 Caught 5. Stuart Lumsden 30 Bowled 6. Mike Ellis 0 Bowled 7. Christy Kulasingam 4 Bowled 8. David Padmore 13 Not Out 9. Tony Fletcher 0 Caught 10. Graham Nannery 6 Run Out 11. Roger Heaton 7 Not Out Extras 41 Total 174		No. Player Overs Maidens Runs Wickets Ave SR Econ 1. Christy Kulasingam 5 0 26 0 - - 5.20 2. Roger Heaton 5 0 13 1 13.00 30.00 2.60 3. David Padmore 5 0 26 1 26.00 30.00 5.20 4. Mike Ellis 7 1 49 4 12.25 10.50 7.00 5. Stuart Lumsden 7 0 27 2 13.50 21.00 3.86 6. Charlie Hewitt 4 0 36 0 - - 9.00
		Mark Dyson 1 catch Charlie Hewitt 1 catch Tony Fletcher 1 drop Charlie Hewitt 1 drop Stuart Lumsden 1 drop

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