Buffalos bruised

The sun was out, the pre-match analysis analysed, all tickets were sold, the outfield was fast, the players warmed up, the BBQ coals were lit, the opposition lay in wait. Yes – Didsbury Buffalos first home game of the season was a hotly anticipated clash with Brooklands CC.

Brooklands won the toss and elected to bat.

It was a pretty calm opening – the Brooklands openers watchful against the tight Didsbury pace attack of Basil and Rishi. Joe and George came on first change but the openers continued calmly - missing the odd one – and playing some good ‘cricket shots’ but largely being contained. The next bowling change brought the prodigious leg spin of Zohaib into the attack and the first wicket finally fell with the score on 62: stumped – well done Zohaib and fast hands from wicket keeper Adam. Sam joined in – taking the other opener, a sharp catch from Basil.

Wickets and runs came fast now - the famous Jack Bridgeman came to the crease – this guy only deals in boundaries apparently. True to form, he hit 3 sixes off Rahul and raced to 31 not out off just 14 balls. One of the 6s landed on Geordie Coach Jonny Ridley’s car – was this an omen? And if so, of what?

But Rahul bit back with two quick wickets – with another smart take behind the stumps from Adam and a high catch from George. So Brooklands posted 116 for 5 – was this a par score?

The Buffalos run chase got off to a bad start, Rahul run out and George bowled without scoring. Basil and Rishi steadied the ship, Didsbury were soon 47 for 2, and still well in the match. Rishi was then stumped for an excellent 20 and Basil was bowled for 24 (first time out this season – he is human after all!). Runs were coming reasonably quickly – Adam and Joe with some lusty blows – but wickets were also falling fast, Fin and Joe out in quick succession, swiftly followed by another avoidable run out - this time Zohaib the unfortunate victim.

Buffalos now 69 for 7 when Jan came to the crease. The pendulum was swinging towards Brooklands CC. But Jan wrestled it back towards Didsbury with 17 off 16 balls including three fours. In the end the Brooklands score was just too high with Jan and Sam out in quick succession leaving Luuk left the not out batsman.

This was a close and winnable match and a disappointing result.

We caught up with Geordie Coach Jonny Ridley as he left the home dressing room. “Did they get a dressing down?”, we asked. “Let’s just say there was a frank exchange of views”, said coach Ridley – as he drove off in his battered car to prepare for training next Tuesday.