*NCC (Nepotist Cricket Club), formerly known as LGMM – the Lime Green and
Magenta Muppets
__________________________________________________________________
It was a day the
cricket world had been waiting 9 long years for … the REMATCH. The ultimate
cricket match to be played just south of the Thames. Not that insignificant
world test final at the Oval, but the return of the LGMM to the infamous Barnes
pitch – the site of the infamous unlosable game. The site of the lowest ever
moment in the glorious history of the Nepotist CC. The site of their former star
lollipopper’s greatest humiliation. But now, the site of their greatest
REDEMPTION!
The global cricketing community was stunned by a new local Barnes rule – caused
by almost a thousand cheap Pakistani balls landing in various local backyards 9
years ago – that if a ball was struck over their 1km high net, it was a dot ball
and OUT! Somehow the pundits knew this would come into play - and into play it
did!
Back to the game. LPK lost the toss, so the LGMM 11 were in the field. 248 runs
followed in normal fashion by our greatest rival. The Lime Green and Magenta
Muppets entertained with the normal mix of great bowling, great pies, great drop
catches, great miss fields. It had it all.
Jarvo (our new Bevo), one of the two token Poms lead the way with early wickets.
Ali proved he is definitely more of a bowler than and batsmen, taking a couple
of beauties. Jonty Rhodes held his end up like a trooper as a couple of their
batsmen took us apart. Ryan did his bit by getting rid of their overseas player.
Bomber’s hand grenades somehow bought 3 wickets, while despite some great
bowling, poor old Dan
Stapelfeldt, kept whining about “how unfair cricket is…”
So now to the run chase. Ali’s 2nd golden proved the above to be
true. Scott and Ed came and went and with the Muppets in trouble. Then out
strode, on debut, Todd Dawson, our own mix of “Boonie, Beefy and Ben” (Stokes).
Despite facing some top class bowling, Todd was determined to hit every
ball to the boundary. Bringing back memories of Brett Schwim, he nearly
succeeded until the infamous new net rule came into play, with official score
book seriously shown him out as “hit too big” for an amazing 53.
In the meantime our reliable cabbie Carl kept some normality in play until he
was run out for 49 and the Muppets were in trouble. Jono Rhodes hit a lovely 4
and got out. Dan “I hate cricket, it’s so unfair” hit two 4s and got out. So it
was up to the Ryan to bring back the glory years with some superb power hitting.
Werren blocked his way to support Rhino and if they kept this going, victory was
surely ours.
But, naturally, the brain fades got in the way as usual. While blocking, Werren
forgot to actually use his bat and then after smashing his way to 60, THAT net
came into play. Ryan, a 2nd victim “hit too big”!!
With 9 down and 27 to get it was up to Jarvo and Bomber to get us over the line.
And over the line we got! Jarvo – now our own Bevo (“the finisher”) snicked his
way to 6 fours to end up 27*, and in one of the finest knocks of defiance, grit,
determination and total lack of skill, Bomber lead this famous victory with a
magnificent 0*.
Celebrations were long and hard as this amazing act of Nepo redemption wiped the
slate of our greatest debacle. Our Boonie/Beefy/Ben Todd deservedly was awarded
the NACA on debut and best of all … The Lime Green and Magenta Muppets are now
buried for ever.
Long live “by far the greatest team the world has ever seen”, the mighty NCC!!!
-Colin
“Bomber” Dale,
-LPK.
1999 Nepo of the Year. Leading wicket taker, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005
(joint).
-Triumphant
Nepo skipper.
Team
Colin Dale (c) (AUS) Steve Werren (wk)
(AUS)
Ryan Styles (AUS) Carl Hoar (ENG)
Ali Baloch (PAK)
Jonathon Rhodes (AUS)
James Jarvis (ENG)
Scott Wegener (AUS)
Daniel Stapelfeldt (AUS)
Ed Furst (AUS) Debut
Todd Dawson (AUS) Debut
