Round 8 Lions v Dogs (3-0 + 1 Washout), Return To The Goodness

Part 1 - Day 1

Another Friday of inclement weather with the Lions falling asleep under a radar of uncertainty, weather patterns over recent days had covered all points of the compass with plenty of moisture to cause disruptions. Misty eyed I awake early from disrupted slumber full of insane visions involving being eaten alive by a gigantic tiger. Race downstairs and across the road for a caffeine injection to the soothing sounds of Miles Davis that sonically melt off the concrete walls, mind balance is restored.

The Black Curator forced to work the extra mile this morning, wicket at the Planet in fine condition but the surrounds need careful attention. Umpires receptive of the efforts ongoing and commit to starting on time, very happy as the possible disruption is contained. Win toss and bat with Tom Tom taking the lead role, or an impostor in the body of Tom Tom (maybe Tom Sonic, the new version) as he blasts to 46 in the first hour that is tragically cut short the over post drinks. Smash & Gas Box settle things to lunch with the word from Dog Land that moisture will not allow anything to happen until near lunch.

Resident Emo makes the effort during lunch break to complete testing work load of bowling, batting and running that proves resumption should be normal next week. Has battled hard with the emptiness of not being able to compete against past club but that will surely occur again in the future.

Kebab loses the returning Ninja early, but with the Junior Cat Shagger (again) lays the base for substance. The ever improving stream lined Kebab, more now like resembling a felafel with extra chili sauce, goes whack everywhere with several fine shots to register his maiden Lion century at rapid pace in a partnership of 136.

Across the river at Dog Land a start has eventuated with the Cat Shagger an early departure - truly separate as Trishna & Krishna, but Little Guus proves to be willing ally in the trench with Mad Dog Ginger. Cookie Monster has unleashed a performance with early poles of substance - at last.

Middle order collapse leaving Panasonic seemingly stranded at tea, seven Lions departed with Moose, Torch & Furious to come. Panasonic reverts to solace from past experience, get set, use the full blade and run hard. Moose reciprocates with intent and off we head to claim a position where a total can be mounted.

The drive westward past other grounds that appear impacted by weather, give thought to the value of points as an outcome with an expectation that some games will not have a result. Arrive at Dog Land, Little Guus pushed into the 60's and now has Dyno Bells as company in the gloom, rain threatening to break again at any time. Poppa Vardi wearing tracks in the bitumen beside the rooms, doing his best work operating in a confined space - but no helmet on.

The pair need not call upon any other support for the remainder of the afternoon, taking control around the breaks and not allowing concentration to waver. Little Guus bounds through the 80's with a series of boundaries, arriving on the verge at 96 as the rain kicks in with play finished for the day.

News arrives of runs galore by Lions at the planetarium with Panasonic and Product finishing in the 90's unbeaten as totals in both games mount, Furious again smites an off side drive over the fence to the rapturous joy of the dancing Bad Girl, now of legal age. Position good all around with health levels fine to bowl as needed tomorrow.

Part 2 - Day 2

Rain is everywhere, not of the destructive type but that which will cause concentration delays. With 321 representing a total that should be beyond, the requirement to capture the ten poles still required considerable application. Furious and Torch giving themselves the best possible chance to make early inroads by building pressure to have Dogs at 3/26 before the first delay.

All other matches presented with obstacles the worst being the 4th XI a complete wash out that is disappointing as the chase would have been a low 200 range at worst. The 3rd XI might get a start around tea time and the 2nd XI nothing until after lunch.

When play in the 2nd XI at Dog Land resumed, Little Guus was able to reach the milestone, Dyno Bells just missed the half century mark and Flegwart joined the Fire Man to belt a few peas around and take some momentum in declaring at 6/252. Myo Kimbo delivered the expected early pole before the ambush laid by the Badge and Dyno Bells ripped the guts from a lame Dog that barely limped to 103, Dyno Bells grabbing six of the finest with Amex in fine support gloving another triple.

Furious and Max1 had given brought double happiness to tea with a pole each when after the break Torch delivered the king pair that was needed to expose the tail. Down below Kitchen Man was wheeling the changes with bowlers responding, No Name and Little Man proving that dominant quicks are valuable with four each and the new comer Dark Lord starting the rot - all out for 184 and the second lot of points secured.

Tail wagging with gusto, denying the efforts of the Lions attack even after Skipper Dick ripped another two having to take the new rock and beckon Furious for a further effort that produced the nick that went down. As the clock ticked into the well past six region and frustrations building, Max1 kept churning through the variations as the final curtain was about to come down with cruel denial. But as all good performances deserve due attention until the very end, the curtain remained hovering as a quicker ball found a full toe and the umpire's extended digit ignited a Lions celebration.