AEAT v Carib Beer XI - 3rd August 2006 - Regents Park.

Our final game of the season was to be the annual grudge match between Carib Cordey and AEAT RobMoss, whose on field rivalry adds an extra dimension to some often close fought games. However, after last week's crushing victory over the Bank of England, the momentum was definitely with the Caribs who, for the first time this season, were able to field a full strength side, with only Tour Manager Andy Weaver absent from the team.

Occasional Carib Ringer, Martin Fuller, captaining AEAT and our Team Manager and captain Martin Haigh called the toss. As now seems the norm, our captain, Martin Haigh called correctly and AEAT were inserted on a dry pitch that, late in the season, was exhibiting signs of some uneven bounce.

Carib opening bowlers Barry Willis and Rob White began steadily against AEAT's opening batsmen, Steve Curtiss and captain Martin Fuller, both themselves occasional Carib Ringers. Both openers began solidly, pushing the score along, while never really looking comfortable. The Caribs were again guilty of putting down a couple of chances, and there were a number of aerial shots that fell just wide of the fielders. It was a full nine overs, and three bowling changes, before the first wicket fell, appropriately enough to our Captain, Martin Haigh, who brought himself on in an effort to break the stand, by which time the openers had put on a very useful 47, more than either of them have ever scored while playing for us.

AEAT Curtiss eventually retired after scoring a useful 25, while Martin Fuller had scored a patient 20 (that included a six and two fours) before being snaffled by Martin Haigh. But by this time, 10 overs had gone and although the AEAT middle order continued to score at around 4 an over, no-one was able to impose themselves and take advantage of their remaining 8 wickets. Mr Cordey bowled a full four overs, while AEAT RobMoss was umpiring, and the sledging between the two on occassions threatended to decend into outright violence. But the fear of failing in front of his arch nemisis obviously spured Carib Cordey on as he was able to complete his four over spell while only bowling two wides. One of his overs even appears to have been a maiden. Given that it had taken him a good 12 deliveries to complete a single over last week, this is certainly good news for the Carib left arm spin department.

However, as the climax of the AEAT innings approached, wickets began to fall more regularly, despite the dropped catches. Mr Cordey himself was to drop a relatively simple skied chance at mid off, probably as he had already exhausted himself screaming his name at the top of his lungs. Barry Willis too, usually a safe pair of hands, dropped a sitter off the bowling of Mr Harris, although given the number that Mr Harris himself drops, this was perhaps in retribution for some past misdemeanor.

The final ball of the innings is worth a mention as it pitched two of the fiercest competitors on either side against each other, namely Mr Cordey and AEAT RobMoss. On this occassion, Mr Cordey was able to dismiss him first ball, this time Mr Willis hanging onto it one handed, so ensuring their little game of brinkmanship was to continue unabated throughout the match. Mr Cordey's four wickets for 12 runs is surely his best return of the season and Mr RobMoss seemed determined to exact revenge once the Carib's began their reply.

Carib batsmen Peter Rogerson and Gordon Berry opened the batting for the Caribs. After the first over, only a Rogerson single had troubled the scorers, prompting a member of AEAT to sledge that we were already badly behind the run rate. However, his gloating was to be short lived, as AEAT RobMoss himself was thrown the ball for the second over. Ten wides, fourteen runs and much hilarity later, the Carib's score was a much more healthy 15 from two. Mr RobMoss's response to each much wider delivery appears to have been to attempt to impart, with utter futility, even more leg spin on the ball. One delivery was even, inexplicably, thrown towards mid off, and there was certainly no evidence of spin on the ball when it landed. When compared to Mr Cordey's stirling effort, one wonders why he feels it necessary to choose RobMoss as his nemisis, as on today's performances, there is very little by way of comparison between them.

However, it has to be said, that on this occassion, Carib Peter played a sparkling innings. Gordon Berry had decided from ball one to play the anchor role and initially resolutely refused to hit the ball off the square, but the policy appeared a success as Carib Peter drove and cut at the other end. After three overs, the score was a healthy 26 and AEAT Captain Martin Fuller decided to bring himself on to stem the runflow with his looping ballerina like off-spin. But his first over was to see Carib Rogerson smack two fours and a six, enough to secure his retirement on 27 from only 15 balls, easily the fastest to this milestone this season. After this, the Caribs never really looked in trouble.

After a less than quickfire 1 by Carib Cordey from 4 balls, the batting find of the seaon, Carib Gooch (Glen Rayner) came to the crease, full of confidence after his fine innings of last week. Again, on this occassion, we weren't disappointed. Mr Gooch plundered the attack with a fine run a ball 13, including two clubbed fours. He was usefully assisted by Ringer Bowen who chipped in with 13 himself, to bring the victory target in sight. After both of them were out, all that was left was for our Captain and leader Martin Haigh to hit the winning runs in typical fashion, securing the victory with a huge six as we sailed past the target with five overs to spare.

Although we just fell short of our record victory margin of 7 wickets, secured during last week's game against the BOE, a six wicket win with five overs to spare was a resounding victory over a team that has proven tricky to beat on previous occassions. Being the last game of a very successful season, our leader, Martin Haigh, was even prompted to accept the offer of a post match can of Stella. There is photographic evidence that at least some was seen to slip down this throat, but if any of you have ever attempted to coax a cat into taking a worming pill you will understand the difficulty we faced in getting any more than that down him. However, credit were it's due, Martin has far too much class to engage such activities as lager drinking, so we happy to settle for a single mouthful on this occassion. There was probably much gargling of mouthwash and reciting of opera librettos before he felt fully cleansed of the hideous liquid.

All that remained was for the Caribs to complete an end of season team photo before heading off to the pub for a well earned drink. Look out for Martin's end of season report, plus, maybe, some photographs of our off season events. The Carib Beer XI winter cricketing acedemy at the Oval cricket ground will likely return in the autumn, were the team and our motley collection of ringers can further hone their skills in preparation for our third season next year. Finally, remember to check out the end of season averages and team awards.