July 17th 1999

Excesstrians

Derby A, Wellington College

Ed Beckwith (The Chief)
Alex Paterson
Oli Bates
Mark Benbow
Nick Shanagher
Dom Treasure (Chief Mong)
Nigel Toussaint
Jason Leith
Ralph Wooddisse
James Ingles

30 over full camel battle

We had struggled for a side, too many errant tribesmen on the wander. However we turned up with ten players including the much-feared Chief Mong.

Such was our awesome reputation that the oppo. only managed 7 players. This became 6 when number 7 called in sick.

This was excellent news as it marginally increased our chances of a victory. The Excesstrians elected to bat first on an tremendous wicket. They drove and batted valiantly and were helped along the way buy some mong-mongous Tuareg fielding. The Chief Mong clearly rattled by the prospect of loosing his crown, also put in a truly magnificent display of comic fielding.

The Excesstrians managed 153 off 30 overs and at tea announced that two of their players had to leave early. This left the Excesstrians with four players. Our chance of victory had increased slightly. In fact this almost doubled when the Tuaregs offered to bowl and field for them!

We started badly again, loosing our opener first ball. But some excellent batting from Mark Benbow (63) started us on the way and a sturdy 17 from Nick Shanagher almost saw us home. It ended with the Tuaregs needing one run off the last ball with no wickets left.

We had almost cocked it up against a team of four people and our own bowlers! Thankfully we scampered home for a memorable victory.

Complete and utter victory, the oppo were captured as slaves.

The Chief Mong surpassed himself on this great day. Chasing the ball to the boundary, he was determined to stop four runs. Copying something he had seen on telly, he tried to back heel the ball with his golf shoes. Regrettably his ability got in the way and as he danced over the ball like a skipping fairy queen it went through for four.

Not satisfied with fielding he asked to bowl the last over. His penultimate ball was lethal. The batsman gave it a tonk, but was completely deceived and it a ballooned in the air headed straight towards the Chief Mong.

Gripped with fear he shouted 'Yours Yours' and ran in the opposite direction. Thankfully a more competent fielder secured the catch and Chief Mong's first ever wicket for the Tauregs.