Well, what a sad tale I have for you today, not something that will leave you in high spirits anyway. You can probably already tell what you will see in this report thanks to the title, well let's get it over with, take it all in Braidwood, for this is your last cricket report of the season.
As you will remember from last weeks report, the Blues had batted first and gotten 185 leaving 25 overs for the Broulee side to finish off the first day, doing so in smashing fashion, walking off the field for 3/85. The Blues bowlers who got the wicket were Golly with 2 and Haggis getting his wicket on the last ball of the day. So we looked alright, not to shabby considering the bloke that smashed 72 of their runs would not be participating on the second day which put us in high hopes, be assured of that.
Thus, as the Blues took the field ready to take on 2 new batsmen our thoughts were enthusiastic, having Golly charging in from the City End and The Veteran and Father in waiting Pete Hazel glaring daggers from the River End we knew our day was off to a good start.
Our picture perfect beginning was not to be though, with the 2 Broulee batters taking their time, making sure they were doing nothing silly to lose their wickets... Hmm, maybe if they were good enough they might have been able to actually hit the ball as it flew past the edge on more than 1, 2, 20 occasions. Golly, Pete and Haggis bowling so well that it was just ridiculous not to see something snick the side of the bat and come to the waiting hands of the little left hander and his slips.
So it wasn't till 30 runs later that the Blues were able to get their 4th wicket, with Pete Hazel finally getting a ball through the batsman's defence to knock down the stumps. From then on though it was all the Blues, staying on top with another wicket from Pete, the Veteran the taking a sharp catch off Golly's bowling. The Boys were fired up, knowing that the game was in their grasp, all they needed to do was stay focused and not let anything slip past them. So as we left for drinks we were pumped up to the max.
Something changed though, and as the first over was bowled I didn't like the feeling that was washing over the field. The Blues played on hard though, with Golly still charging in, ah, the vitality of youth. He worked with Haggis, both bowlers swinging the ball massively, passing that edge time and time again.
Another wicket passed and the feeling of helplessness lessened greatly, mainly due to the fact that the batter was one I previously dropped. Broulee was now 50 runs behind our 1st innings total, still having some dangerous batters left in the cupboard. One of those batsmen then strode to the crease and immediately we saw his intentions. Smacking one of Golly's over the mid wicket boundary, hence the feeling of doubt creeping back up. The same batsman then went on a rampage, hitting 14 off one of Golly's overs.
Then, people of Braidwood, in the last over before tea, Broulee passed our total. Defeat. We knew it was over, the game and the season, therefore it was a solemn bunch that walked off the field that Saturday afternoon.
Even though Broulee had passed our total we still had a job to do, needing 2 more batsmen out to salvage some strength back. To get those 2 batsmen though took a lot more time then one would think.
Was it the lack of goals to achieve? I admit that I was one and maybe the only one that's mind was elsewhere, thinking of all the "What ifs" and the "If onlys". But torturing your mind is something that every sportsman can't help but do, it's like a rule, admit defeat and defeat will surely admit you. I don't know if that had anything to do with anything but I saw it in a movie once, I think Goofy said it.
Anyway as the Blues persisted and McClure was brought on, the young spinner finished off the wagging tail. Bowling figures for our innings were: Golly, I'll just hold up for a second here and give Golly's figures a little intro. Golly bowled straight through almost all day never giving an inch, and always bowling with the same fire and determination, it was therefore that he bowled 27 overs finishing with 5/85. Well done Gol, its efforts like this Braidwood that will see Golly be one of the main contenders for the South Coast awards which are being held on the 8th of April.
Other bowlers on that miserable day were, Hazel 2/46 off 17 a bloody great effort, Haggis 1/39 off 11 you kept at it Haggis, McClure 2/33 off 11 well done Rion, and Me, your very own pie chucker 0/23 off 3.
Knowing the game was over as I have mentioned before half of the Blues padded up preparing to bat. Glass and Jimmy went out first though, Glassy coming back to us after the first over. Golly then went out and danced around the crease watching as Jimmy threw the willow around at the other end and the 2 were having some great fun before the rain came in. After about 10 minutes when the rain had eased off a bit they went out again but came back after 2 overs because the rain was getting heavy again, both teams agreeing to end the days play.
There you have it, the end of the season. Our feet shall not touch the hallowed ground that is the rec till October that is for cricket.
The Blues would like to thank everyone who supported us this year, especially our sponsors: The Braidwood Serviceman's Club, Eureka Pizza, Bendigo Bank, Mr Bob Mills and The Royal Mail Hotel. Thank you for making this the season that it was.
The Blues presentation looks to be on the 18th of March so everyone pencil that down in your diary. We look to have a game down at the Rec before we get down to the awards later that night. We will also be talking about our chances next season, with the talk that was going on on Saturday night, it looks as though the coming season will be one to watch. From this season though I just wanted to congratulate everybody who played in the Blues, it was a good season that shows a lot of promise for the next, well done lads.
Hmm, I can't believe that is all over, no more reports to write, no more abusing Haggis, no more calling Glassy little. My job is done, personally I just want to thank everyone who has supported my reports this season, it has meant a lot to know that people actually read this. Who knows what can happened next season, in the words of that Austrian that everybody knows and hates... I'll be back.
Until next time Braidwood, this has been...
Brendan Maher, signing out.
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