On arrival, a game of 25 overs was agreed on. Once the wild roaming cattle were cleared, Baboneau won the toss and decided to bat first. Unlike Dennery, the lack of a breeze meant the heat was stiffling and as the Baboneau openers set about Bossies bowling attack the 100 mark was quickly passed. Both scored 51 before retiring. Scott Marshall duly got the first wicket with a caught and bowled that looped high in the air. Kathryn White joined the party soon after trapping their No.5 LBW with a slower one. But the big hitting continued with many straight Sixes and varying species of animals encountered upon retrieving the balls before Bones added a third when he had their No.6 caught on the boundary edge by Rich. A total of 244 for 3 was posted before Bossie left the field for a much needed sit down.
Any notion that the Baboneau team might take it easy on the tourists were quickly dispelled when the opening bowlers demonstrated accuracy, pace and swing in equal measure. Rich and Ali were finding it tough going to get the ball off the square. Rich got some 'chin music' and departed soon after by holing out to Mid Off. Kathryn joined Ali at the crease and at lunch Bossie had stabilised to 20 for 1 but the run rate was already over 14 an over.
Resuming after lunch Kathryn got a ripper past her ears as the highly competitive Baboneau X1 went for the kill. White went for 6, bowled playing across the line. Bones joined Ali and the Bossie captain started to grow in confidence as a couple of fours were rattled to the boundary. Both players then took the game to the bowlers and Ali in particular started picking up boundarys with more and more ease. As the score nudged towards 100 Bones was out caught on the boundary for 15. Scott Marshall duly came and went, miscuing an attemp to hit it into Mars and providing an easy catch. It was Elms who partnered McIlroy to his first ever 50, brought up in style with a cover drive for 4. Ali eventually fell on 65 which was truly a captains innings. It was left to Elms and Wilson to bat out the final couple of overs and both would have grown in confidence as some beautiful stroke play brought more boundarys. Wilson with a potential 'shot of the tour' cover drive finished on 17 not out and Elms nearly took the umpires head off with a straight drive before finishing on 5 not out. A total of 139 for 5 was the final 25 over total.
As the presentations and team photos were taken at the end of the game St.Boswells can reflect on an improved performance. However the day belonged to McIlroy. Never during our first training session here would he have imagined this little dust bowl would hold such a special place in his heart.
Next up is a game against Mon Repos on Sunday (Thomas's home ground) + a presentation of the kit to the 3 primary schools.
Dick of the Day to be confirmed in next post. Rich for his 1970's John McEnroe headband (Apparently it was "hot") and Gary 'Tank Commander' for literally digging a hole to try recover his lost camera battery and only sending it deeper are the prime contenders.
Location:Monchy Playing field
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