August 15, 2021 - Metchosin Manthers (Over 40s) vs Cowichan Over 40s @ MCG
While the Cougars were making history in Oak Bay, a bunch of handsome old Manthers took on the Cowichan O40 side at the MCG to mark their first official game. It was a typically beautiful and exceptionally windy Metchosin day, and with the captain too busy recruiting players at his junior cricket to make it to the game on time, the gentleman that is Ross Sands magnanimously forfeited the toss, Cowichan happily choosing to bat first.
Simon Smith took the new cherry, so good to playing in whites with a red kookaburra…real cricket as us old people would say. Bowling in tandem with the ever-young Rajeev Ayer, the runs were very hard to come by and wickets tumbled. The tight bowling and wickets continued with wily bowling from Serena Inglis and BB, mixed with the express pace from Sandeepraj. However, it was the slow ball trio of Ross Sands, Tony Fathers, and star ringer Sowmi that provided the most entertainment for the crowd, turning the screws and making the Cowichan batsmen squirm (well except for John Paquin who absolutely smashed everything). The innings ending at 196, bowled out in the 40th over with Sandeepraj getting the much-deserved final wicket.
Metchosin never really looked challenged chasing the score, Ross Sands and Darren Buhr both smashing their way to 25s, knocking the wind out of Cowichan’s sails. Steady retirements continued throughout the innings as Cowichan could only manage to pick up 2 wickets. Some lusty blows at the end by Simon Smith and Steve Inglis saw the Manthers over the line in the 32nd over.
A great day was had by all, thank you to all the Manthers for coming out and making it so enjoyable. Thanks to Rajeev, David Harding, John, and David Gooda for hanging around to finish the 500 chicken drumsticks that Ross brought. That was probably the most impressive display of the day.
Go Manthers and go Cougars! Legendary Sunday for the Club.
