Muzza Dribbus was overdue for a big score. He wanted it bad. He had arrived in Gold with quite the reputation from his junior days and had been talking himself up to his Trotter mates (and anybody else who would or wouldn't listen) all season. Duck, 5, 15, 2, 16, another 5 etc. but nothing really substantial. He had the strut, he had the style, he had the shots, he had the fan club, he had the arrogance of an aggressive run-getter, (he even borrowed some of Earle's cologne once) but he just didn't have the totals. Doigy's graphs were his weekly nightmare.
On the 10th December against Uni Red at Beaton Park he decided it was time!
Time to stop prancing around the crease like a nancy boy in big girl's undies and prove to Neil Ryan that he really was worth the sign on fee. A glorious 54 that included 7 x 2's, 3 x 4's and a couple of 6's. "Must have been short boundaries" said the Prez. "Slow outfields" replied the Pest.
Against a reasonable bowling attack and with the cries of "show us a big one" being screamed by the crowd, it wasn't long before Muzza was self-proclaiming man-of-the-match honours. (He increased his claim to the title later on with an opening spell of 9 very intimidating overs).
However, proceedings didn't start off too well for Gold. Missing top order strongmen Ant, Groggy, Sir Pat and Earle (where are you X?) and against quality bowling, our first 5 batsmen could only compile 29 runs. At one stage we were 5 for 40 with only 20 overs left. Muzza went in at 6 because he forgot his shoes and had to drive home. Amateur! But he settled in quickly and started playing a range of well timed shots.
Our youngest Nugget and all round nice guy, Paul Partland soon got sick of hearing how Muzza was looking good and would save the day. Paul went in at 7 and teamed up with his brother-in-law to smack a game-changing 41 (including 6 x 4's and a 6) off 20 balls whilst Muzza got the odd single here and there. Partland had arrived. Step aside Pretty Boy, family bragging rights are mine!
Next in was our new recruit, Peter Armstrong, the smiling assassin from Coledale. "What do you want me to do Skip? I haven't played in 30 years!"
"Have some fun mate, better have a bit of a swing though because Rabbitz is behind you."
A six on debut in a fast 11 whilst wearing a business shirt. Great first impression Pete.
Although a little rusty after a 4 decade hiatus, local sporting legend and another Nugget debutante', Mark 'Cougar' O'Neill impressed all with his batting technique and sharp fielding.
With the help of Kev's 14 and a last over 6 from Rabbz, we finished with 169. What a middle order stand and tail wag it was! 129 runs off 20 overs.
We used 7 bowlers to stop them reaching our total. Tightass Glasgow's finished his spell with 3 maidens, 2 wickets and only 13 runs hit off his 9 overs. Read those figures again. Muzza had their top order quivering and Rabbz bowled 8 of his best overs ever to really slow their chase down. Marcel's figures were good and we got to see Woody's offies for the first time. But it was Partland who stole the show again, this time with the ball. 8 overs, 4 for 31 including 2 crucial wickets in his last over. And that was on top of his 3 outfield catches!!
Uni got close. They needed 16 off the last 19 balls but they were no match for the NDCC seniors. With 45 overs of committed fielding, including a run out from Marcel, a couple of catches to Smithy and a lethally quick stumping keeping the pressure on, they fell 3 runs short with their 166. All at the ground agreed that the better side had won.
Turning points in the match? Davo getting their top scorer (44) with "the ball of the century" and Paul's catch off Rabb's bowling to get Reid (40) with 15 runs left to get, come to mind. However the highlight for me was the last few overs from Rabbz and Paul. They were simply brilliant.
Stand-in keeper, Big Kev Raffler had an absolute blinder behind the stumps and his sledging of Murray Dribbus all day was first class. And George Thirtle can still "quip" with the best of them too.
Gold stay in the hunt for the title, but it's Sky we're really after.
Quote of the day came from Paul's sister when asked by the skipper "Which club did Paul play his junior years with?"
"He's never played before. He couldn't even make the school team". Whispering Jack hears this story and says "He's a late bloomer then."
So, after many weeks, Paul finally has his Nugget nickname.
Lets hope "Blooma" Partland can steal Muzza's limelight every week, or even better..... Earle's.
UP THE BUTCHERS!
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