Round 1 (Ding) Lions v Cats (1-3)

Friday, calm and peaceful in the Lions den. All sleep well except for the nervous cubs up late on BookFace and other assorted visual distractions.

Smiling Shane Gluttony bids me well en route down the highway, strong take away coffee and breakfast in hand (usually eaten around lunch time on match day) the chariot heads to cross the bridge, Cats voyage away. Sounds of Slayer locked in, six more sleeps until Festival Hall gig, the phone remains thankfully silent until Little River.

9.01am - the first official Agent of Change experience, incoming call from frantic parent that son has been up all night vomiting and is unable to play. Messages have been left for others but no reply as yet.
"Not a problem, all will be handled, thanks for letting me know" is the measured reply.
Connect to Phil, sort requirements out by the time passing Waterworld. Sounds of Slayer are allowed to resume, all at peace within.

Arrive at Cat Park, premiership detritus still viewable and the Cat Shop open for business. Sergeant Mitchell proudly displaying new garment upon his torso with a larger grin than any cheshire. Login to MyCricket and send Phil all needed player contact details while giving Ash debrief on player selection and roles.

Change into warm up kit, gear sorted for preparation activites as needed, quiet sense of purpose amongst the group. The last hour before the game is such a riddle in trying to decipher what may lay ahead, experience suggests that there is no direct correlation between atmposphere and performance. Surely somebody is sharing the knots within, there are no obvious signs.

Toss to Cats and they bat as expected. First blood to Charlie Eppes after changing ends and Moose takes the two key poles to have Cats concerned.

Lions next door have started solid enough, AJ Ninja and Mad Dog Ginger passing the half century on a green deck after being inserted. News from the planet that even with Kettle Bells falling, Tom Tom and Little Guus have things sorted on the main arena. TMc has made inroads down the bottom with early poles. In essence, Lions everywhere have started well with purpose and confidence.

One large partnership gets the Cats sniffing at 200+ but Skipper Dick returns to shut things down, Moose finishes to end at 226, the ten taken - first box checked.

An even split of requirements as we changeover, batting and bowling opposites at both venues in pursuit of victory. A large crowd now gathered at Cat Park for the cricket and other social events hosted at the venue. Plenty of female Lions in support of their men who need visual affirmation that the time consumed in pre season has an outcome.

Talk in the Big Lions compound revolves around the imminent hosts and episode content for Lions TV to be launched in late October. Moose with gentle prompting, decides "must seek treatment" for veins that erupt in a manner to create a quandary of choice for the most hardened junkie.

Chase on target, Smash floats a drive over the fence to hopeful cries of "catch" by fielders. Once in orbit the trajectory is assisted by a strong breeze and lands comfortably past the ropes. Vardichin establishes control after a wayward start to bring the Lions next door back into the game, Myo Kimbo has ripped out four at the Planet and Ash Moh is booming drives via the aerial method - as the clock gets nearer to five we are alive everywhere. Sun is out, forehead burnt, but it is bloody cold even with vest on.

Cat Shagger joins Smash to clean up the requirement, chase always easier when balls are hit over the boundary. A double to the Cat Shagger, another to Smash who then becomes the first centurion of the season and game over, points to Lions.

Other games nearly go the journey but we fall short. Would seem that too many have been able to contribute too little first up. Mental nourishment for realignment next week.

Post mortem done at both (no health issues - good!), match information entered, scorebooks eyeballed to get the first of numerous reviews over the coming days. Kit packed and car loaded up, darkness has fallen as we depart. Miss the friendly tip for Belmont (Race 8 - London, it got up easily at $5+), own fault at not being organised for the punt but in the end was more a matter of complete focus elsewhere. The satisfaction of the opening victory erasing the taste.

The drive back gives plenty of time for phone calls to catch up on all games and other grounds, hear the first Victory goal by Fabiano in between. Some minor issues in lower grades that will require management, general disappointment that we did not at least land another win - if not more. The Agents of Change are among us, who can seize the opportunity when it arrives?