Sutton and Davies make GE Healthcare sick

Rhiwbina moved into the top half of the Willows League table on Tuesday (2^nd June) as they picked up maximum points with a 9 wicket win against bottom side GE Healthcare. The Pines are now sixth in the table with five league games still to play.

Batting first, GE struggled to post a competitive total. Their openers were both gone inside the first two overs. Graham Sisk forced one to chip lamely to a grateful Mark Sutton at cover while Dai James (1 for 15) cleaned up the other after initially struggling to find his range. The blood-curdling cry of celebration as ball hit stump is going to be used in a new film – “Nightmare on Elm Street 15 – Freddie’s back (from the Pavilion End and bowling leg spin)”.

Sisko (2 for 10) was on the mark in his second over too, with new wicketkeeper Dave Thomson pouching his first victim in Rhiwbina colours. The club now has a range of options behind the stumps but Thomson has raised the stakes by bringing his own pads and gloves. Other keepers take note: it may look good if you turn up with some fancy inners or a helmet next week.

Ashleigh Crowter (1 for 18) also chipped in with an inswinging yorker to remove Laver for 12 although he did take some stick from GE’s best batsman in his third over which went for 11. In fact, Norey was the only real point of resistance as Rhiwbina rolled through the top-order.

But then came the stand-out bowling performance. Off-spinner John Davies set himself a target at the start of the season to take at least 10 wickets – a figure he should now easily surpass after producing stunning figures of 4 for 6 from 4 overs.  As has already been evidenced this season, batsmen seem perturbed by the unusual angle of delivery and the slow pace before being surprised, often at the cost of their wicket, when the ball turns sharply as well.

Steve Lewis and Andrew McKenna will say Davies benefitted from the pressure they had built up bowling tightly, without success, at the other end. But JD was not slow to capitalise on batsmen’s confusion, clean bowling three and trapping Norey in front on 33.

The fielding was sharp in general. Only the cruellest of critics (John Davies) would criticise Mystic for shelling a low catch at mid-on (you should have heard him in the pub afterwards). A more generous observer (the captain) saw it as a good stop. Mark Sutton, now garnering a reputation as a fine outfielder, was also responsible for an excellent run-out.

In the end, GE closed on 80 for 9, setting the Pines a victory target of 81.

The chase proved to be a comfortable one, tarnished only by a swish outside off-stump, which ended Gareth Davies’s brief and runless stay at the crease.

But any concerns that the chase might prove more difficult than it looked were soon allayed as Mark Sutton opened his shoulders and dispatched the Healthcare bowling to all corners of Llanrumney. Crowter, at the non-striker’s end, stood and watched as Sutton, freed from the shackles of his helmet this season, hit 11 fours and 1 six to bring the Pines’ home with more than 9 overs to spare. He finished on 68 not out, contributing the vast majority of Rhiwbina’s 84 for 1. Definitely the knock of the season so far. That’s what can happen if you read the Rhiwbina website.

PINE-OF-THE-MATCH: John Davies won’t like it, but the award goes to Mark Sutton for a stunning unbeaten 68 with the bat, plus a catch and a run-out. Makes 4 for 6 look a bit paltry really.

IDEA FOR NEXT SEASON: Oli Jenkins thinks about his future career after discovering that Lewy is a fireman. He’s not bothered about putting out fires but would quite like to be in one of those calendars, all greased up and holding a hose.

TARGET-SETTING: John Davies is looking for 10 wickets and 100 runs this season. But more importantly, can he fit into a 36’ waist cricket trouser?

SHOWBOATING: Andy McKenna, after forcing the batsman to play and miss, shows off by flicking the ball over his shoulder and catching it behind his back while returning to his mark. Next week, expect him to pull out two oranges and start juggling. Mystic is available for children’s parties.