Carib Beer XI v AEAT Old Boys - 12th July 2005 - Regents Park.

Our third match of the year culminated in a thrilling last ball tie, which on a number of occasions could so easily have swung either way. The Carib Boys opened the bowling, and after four tight overs from the new ball paring of Barry and Peter the visitors were reduced to 3 for 3. However, some determined middle order batting from the Old Boys saw their score gradually achieve some respectibility. A gritty 24 from D. Lacy and a determined 23 from A. Sparkes were the outstanding features of a 70 run partnership which elevated the AEAT Old Boys to somewhere approaching 80, the partnership only being broken when Peter clung onto a difficult skyer at Mid Off from one of Phil Cordey's dobblers. From that point, the innings stumbled, and further wickets fell, including yet another difficult catch by Peter diving just inside the boundary ropes to cap an eventful birthday, but it was enough to see the Old Boys reach a respectable 90 runs from their 20 overs.

The Carib Boys' response again stumbled in the opening overs, and wickets tumbled more frequently that usual. Fourteen for nought (which included seven wides) became twenty for SIX and the match seemed all but lost, but yet again, the middle order came to the rescue. Mr Haigh, again leading from the front, batted with the sort of grit and determination that would have made Nasser himself proud, to retire after scoring 26 not out, including a towering six.

Another twenty three runs by Barry contributed to the revival of the Carib Boys' fortunes. At one point, the Caribs required 59 runs from the final 9 overs, but gradually, the deficit was reduced, when, in the final over, with only six runs to win, Mr R Moss came onto bowl. Five runs came from the first five deliveries, and the teams tensed for the final delivery of the match, with one run required by the Carib Boys to secure a well earned victory. As the last delivery came streaking down, missing the off stump by some ten feet, the whole team was on their feet, believing we had secured victory from a last ball wide.

Unfortunately, this was not to be, as at the last moment, Ringer Roy strode out towards point and clattered the ball back to the bowler. Realising his mistake, he began to scamper desperately towards the non strikers end, only, sadly, for the stumps to be thrown down, running him out, and snatching a tie from the very jaws of victory.