On the final game of the 2011 season Kilve, needing just 13 points for a second successive promotion entertained East Huntspill, their nemesis at the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
After losing the toss yet again skipper Gary ‘Bat Shop’ Stone informed the team we were bowling, and against just 7 players as that was the amount that East Huntspill could muster.
Opening up with Jay ‘My Name Is Earl’ Darrell and Glen ‘Sparky’ Manchip the pair started well, although sensing they had nothing to lose, the Huntspill openers literally started teeing off causing much frustration to the Kilve bowlers.
Darrell got the breakthrough, with J. Gourlay snicking behind to keeper James ‘The White Rhino’ Payne for a regulation pouch after scoring one.
Pomeroy was slashing the ball everywhere and despite numerous edges and mis-timed shots he evaded being dismissed several times, leaving the Kilve players shaking their heads at how he managed to still be at the crease.
Unfettered, the bowlers kept plugging away and Kilve finally got a breakthrough with Darrell comprehensively bowling Harding for a doughnut.
As is often the way one brings two, and Kilve finally got the danger man when Carl ‘Butt’ Clemenson bowled Pomeroy for 34.
Edwards and Dare put up a rearguard action but it was too late, Kilve’s tail was well and truly up.
‘The Rampant Redneck’ Darrell took another quick wicket, bowling Edwards for 20 to end a very tidy 6 over spell taking 3 scalps. It should have been 4 if Chris ‘Loverboy’ James wasn’t daydreaming about his previous night’s conquest while fielding at square leg!
It was left to the skipper to round things off, catching Dare off his own bowling for 8 before some textbook off spin saw him bowling R. Gourlay through the gate for 4, leaving Bagg stranded at the other end on 4no.
This left the Huntspill total sitting on 83 all out, and with only 7 men in the field it should be an easy chase, in theory anyway!
After the final home tea of the year (boo-hoo) regular openers Cris ‘Wardrobe Malfunction’ Taylor and Peter ‘Pebbles’ Stone took to the middle to begin the chase.
It wasn’t long before a wicket fell however as Taylor failed to spot the straight one, played around it and was bowled for a big fat quacker in the first over.
Andy ‘Pesto Provider Rock joined Stone at the crease and was soon into his stride hitting boundaries with aplomb.
Stone wasn’t so lucky. He feathered behind after scoring just 2, and for a moment it looked like Kilve may end up embarrassing themselves yet again during a small run-chase.
Manchip helped Rock restore parity though with his trademark solid defence, whilst Rock kept the score ticking over nicely.
The pair kept Kilve on track before Manchip was out in bizarre fashion for 15. After edging a ball off the shoulder of his blade the ball looped over his own shoulder, heading straight for the wicket. In a moment of desperation he tried using his bat to knock the ball away from the timber but he only succeeded in knocking the stumps over. To be fair it called for a job of great subtlety and dexterity, not a 3lb behemoth-sized lump of willow!
It was left to the skipper to finish the job with Rock and the pair soon knocked off the remaining 30 runs, with Stone ending the match in style – a huge six over midwicket off one knee. A shot to end the game, and the season in style!
Rock finished unbeaten on 48 in a chance-less knock and Stone ended on 15no with Kilve finishing at a canter.
With maximum points (35) achieved, Kilve far exceeded the required 13 for a second successive promotion – well done to everyone who played and helped out throughout the season, especially the tea ladies Kate and Kelly – you really have done an amazing job!
