Hykeham Win Spicy Affair

Before the match the umpire mentioned to me he likes umpiring these games as they are quite relaxed and not taken overly seriously. I suspect he wasn’t expecting what turned into a feisty and fiery encounter as Lindum Academy welcomed Hykeham (always a pleasure) to the LCG. The Academy side was a mixture of youth and experience (i.e. old) and it was perhaps good that there was senior support for the youngsters as Lindum were subject to constant ‘chirp’ throughout their innings. Nabil and Zac opened the batting with Nabil once again playing an attractive innings with Zac falling cheaply for two followed by Charlie for six. Both these youngsters were looking as though they could have stayed at the crease all day and their wickets were a prime example of being ‘talked out’ and allowing frustration to surface. Dave Knowles was looking quite well set on seven before playing a ball onto his pads and promptly being given out LBW after a ferocious appeal. This brought Angus to the crease playing some big shots, which along with Nabil’s stroke play took the total to 62 before Nabil was given out caught behind after attempting a cut shot and missing everything, including the ball! With Nabil gone a collapse followed with Lindum reduced to 83 -9, with only Angus proving resolute in reaching 28 before being caught at deep square leg. This brought Shelbourne snr to the crease who along with Adil formed a stubborn last wicket partnership of 31, causing some frustration for Hykeham and increased ‘chirping’. Once again the appeals from behind the stumps were something to witness and led to some ‘words’ being exchanged between Wes and chief protagonist with probably neither of them being added to the Christmas card list. Wes then altered his guard to take into account the right arm around the wicket bowling he was about to face, feeling fairly comfortable that the ball angling across him and pitching outside leg took LBW out of the equation. Yes you’ve guessed it Wes was then promptly given out LBW. Lindum finished on 114.

Lindum took to the field knowing that quick wickets were the order of the day and that nearly came from the third ball, bowled by Angus, which was promptly dropped at square leg. From the other end Charlie was bowling an extremely accurate and quick spell with no reward. The first wicket came with Hykeham on 13 with a great one handed catch from Harry, back behind the stumps after broken fingers, off the bowling of Angus. Hykeham then began to dig in with their other opener looking to capitalise on the earlier drop. This period of the game saw the usually placid Dr N really take it to the batsman and square leg umpire in terms of letting them know his opinion on some earlier ‘chirping’. This was quickly followed by the comprehensive spreading of the stumps of ‘chief chirper’ off the bowling of Angus. As he left the field he (mis)heard? Shelbourne snr wishing him well on his journey back to the pavilion and responded with a barrage of expletives not heard since…..well.. since we last played Hykeham actually. There was a slight concern that we may be heading for a repeat of ‘Juicegate’. Adil bowled well and took a further two wickets, taking the score to 56-4 and Lindum felt the next wicket would be crucial and could well set up a win. To be fair to Hykeham, they probably realised this too and knuckled down and played sensible cricket to chase down the runs with not even Saturday’s golden arms of Zac and Martin able to make a breakthrough and the runs were chased down after 29.2 overs. Despite this seemingly comfortable win the match was hotly contested for a large portion of the afternoon and with another 30-40 runs who knows what may have happened. After the match it was handshakes all round and the on field capers seemed forgotten. This was a very competitive game, the atmosphere of which was slightly marred by unnecessary on field ‘banter’.
However our young lads can’t be wrapped totally in cotton wool and I think the lessons today were catches do very often win matches (hold onto them) and don’t be put off by any chat and very occasionally (although it’s not ideal) you do have to stand up to another team and show you will not be intimidated.

Wes Shelbourne