2008 Match Reports

WET WEATHER WAITS WHILE WOMBATS WHIP WYVERNS (24/05/2008)
by Ian Gason
>>>Match Scorecard vs Wyverns

International duties deprived both sides of a number of their anchor players, but it was the Wombats who had the depth as they prevailed over Wyverns in an anti-climatic Grand Final replay at Fuji on Saturday.

Weather forecasts were chopped and changed like English wicket keepers, predicting somewhere between 20 and 90 percent chance of rain sometime between Friday and the second coming of Christ. Conversations centreing on will we or won't we get on the pitch flew back and forth and well, eventually we did. Brief showers fell at the Fuji Family Mart and returned again at fine leg moments after the Wyverns innings got under way.

Burkey inserted the opposition. Pup took the keeping gloves. Me and Morty shared the new ball. Morty at least did something with it, producing 2 early wickets with edges to the waiting cordon. Grant pulled off a superb slips catch to add to his nascient Hardys collection. When I was finally dragged, Reggie got amongst the wickets, and Wyverns were struggling. Big Gay Al replaced Morty at the City End and he too was soon amongst the wickets, and brought out his new wicket celebration, the I Am A Spastic And Have Tourette's Dance.

Our Captain and Coach spoke of the importance of getting through our overs quickly. With the notable of one lethargic Tasmanian, Wombats young and old jogged through the change overs, often urged on by one "dictator"- yours truly- encouraging (in Al's case in vain....) the troops to "look alive."

Despite rain about, Fuji made a brief appearance, and Wombats started to think about knocking off the runs. That's when Wyverns rallied, stodgedly defying our leather flingers. As we searched for that elusive 8th wicket, Luke Ray was looking for a hole to fling himself into, after he (call me Joffer if you will) wrapped up the Herschelle Gibbs for the year. Off his own bowling, the ball arced gently back to him in the exact position where his follow through ended. Pup reckons he has never seen a worse drop, even in under-12s, yet The Freak, taker of the often untakable catches, dropped the undroppable.

Most bowlers' armory contains an "effort ball". Apparently Luke's instead contains a "pissed off ball".

What else happened? A clash of cultures, as Morty called "Morty" running in from cover to collide with me at point calling "mine". (Catch held by Morty). Two balls after the drinks break, the Quiet Achiever caught having a slash in the bushes. G-spot racked up 3 catches, including 1 as keeper. A few displays of soccer skills, balls being kicked from running player to player in one case, and from foot to foot to fresh air and a run in another. Shaxxie flighting the ball magnificiently for 2 wickets. A dead cert run out missed as the ball richoted of a tuft of grass - on a 3 metre return.

From 6-60 or so the Wyverns, a type of small dragon by the way trivia fans, had tail wagged to 120.

After a 15 minute speed scoff, Pup and Rhino went to face the music. Captain Steven Burke may well be rueing his decision to shield himself from the new ball attack, cos to be honest it was as toothless as pensioner with all his teeth removed. Pup belted the first ball for 4, and went 8 balls before collecting a dot. Rhino anchored the 50 run partnership, standing at the non-strikers end, running when Pup hit the ball, especially those vital last ball singles. The importance of Rhino's contribution is best not judged on the 3 runs he added, but by the downfall of Pup 5 short of his half-century not long after his trusted opening partner was caught. Pup's 38 ball knock included some sweetly timed drives as well as the usual display of power-Pup hitting.

The G-Spot quickly found the sweet spot and showed his timing was up there with the best. By this stage our only enemy was the rain, as we were helped along by a score of wides. Grant was bowled as Wombats entered the home straight. The Big Roy, Dave O'Carroll emerged from semi-retirement, looking nothing like a man whose last encounter with a bat was a duck 9 months ago. He stroked the ball through the gaps in a brief innings that showed his true class. Uncle Dan'd be proud. (Roy, teach Uncle Dan to ground his bat, by the way.) Morty got a few runs in before the victory was wrapped up anti-climatically by a wide which trickled into the bushes.

Timing. Not only by Pup, GT, Roy, but the Big Fella upstairs. The first drops fell not long after the hand shakes, and within about 30 minutes of leaving the field, there was enough rain for us to be heading for the van.

A tail-end 30 by Ra Mason got a Hardys award for Wyverns BOG. Twas a truely omnipresent performance by Mark Ainslie behind the stumps, wrapping up the tail, and a 45 run flier to beat the rain - and he was our Hardys Man Of The Match.

Post match, the eski was stocked and and McChucks run done all by 3 oclock. Onto the Tomei and into the highlights before dark is an unusual phenomina. Afternoon drinking is not Morty's forte and it showed. Pup turned it on with a colourful display of potty-mouthed banter. Grant was subdued, feeling that something was missing from last week's ride. Attempts to break up Kiwi Corner failed. A few discussions of the strange and deliquent spluttered into and out of life. Pup was bleeting for a pee, but to his surprise we were back in Tokes and pulled into Harajuku just after 6, sending Pup scurrying for somewhere to relieve his bladder amongst the throngs of Saturday arvo shoppers.

Next up: Sat June 21, Nagoya at Shizuoka.

WOMBATS VICTORIOUS AS VICTORIANS DOMINATE YOKOHAMA (04/05/2008)
by Ian Gason

After 4 years of trying, the Tokyo Wombats finally tasted victory at Yokohama, running over the silver spoons in a 9 wicket victory, more than making up for last year's Pup Match debacle. With the season properly upon us, there were pleasing signs for the Wombats, but disappointingly for the 4th warm-up game of the year, we still failed to get eleven Wombats on the track.

Rob Mann's extensive networking lured us Damo and Allan, and Mark from YCAC was a last minute replacement for last minute withdrawal Rhino. On any other day, Damo's boardies'd have won him a worst dressed, but who'd have expected Mark's helicopter hat?

Captain Perfect Steven Burke lost the toss and YCAC opted to bat, and with a wee drizzle confirming suspicions that Japan's weather folks couldn't predict sand in a desert, me and Morty got things under way.

If only I was Pup. Then I could wax lyrical about my devastating spell of pace bowling that had the YCAC top order in tatters. If only I was Pup, I could tell you how I had the ball swinging late, inswing, outswing, Irish, the slower ball, the kitchen sink. I could ignore the marvelous support from the Lawn Bowls End from Morty. I wouldn't bother to mention how he toiled for 7 blistering overs without getting the rewards he deserved.

Gifted with Pup's self-publicity skills, I'd talk you through ball by ball the stump to stump line which grabbed me my first LB, and gloss over the tonking that Kamran embarked upon. The attempted outswinger that swung in and Kamran played on, I'd be telling you all about that.

Morty at short-cover took an amazing knacker-crunching catch, but I'd claim that as my hard work, too. And with the YCAC innings at 4-40 odd, you know who'd be front and centre of this match report.

But I'm not Pup. And it was more of a trundle, with all the zip of a Zimmer Frame Derby, and less swing than a North Korean election. And instead of picking on our portly Crow-eater, I will praise him for an excellent effort behind the stumps, free of tea-pots, dummy-spits or byes.

Big Alexander and Reggie were the first change bowlers. Reggie can thank the YCAC umpire for Mark Ferris's wicket, LB despite being a good 3 metres down the pitch. No doubts about his other wicket, well caught by a nervous Allen in short cow-corner.

Alexander should have had a big wicket when a big hitting YCAC bat hit big down the ground, where I made a meal of the catch. A few overs later Al was amongst the wickets when Kamran's hospitality got in the way of his judgement, ruling a man out caught behind with the bat and ball in different postcodes. The aforementioned South Australian charged in from the Bowls End to clean up the tail. YCAC's 98 on paper not much of a target, but anyone who was at last year's game said little about our prospects.

Captain Burke opened with Grant, and the bowlers served up a mixed bag, wide of the crease one ball, attacking the stumps the next. The G-spot looked cool, middling the ball, but not getting the penetration desired. Mr Burke crunched one cut for four, but this was against the flow of the early play. Runs were hard to come by, and our fearless skip was struck repeatedly on the pads. Several good shouts came at the Tin Shed End, one in particular given due consideration by this umpire, who felt there was just enough doubt about its leg-side trajectory. Hawk-eye may have disagreed.

At the bowls End, G-spot was dismissed, tickling a faint edge to the keeper. Out strode the boy from Ballarat, Ross, MRF and mea culpa in hand. The tight bowling continued, but Ross was awake to the task at hand. He batted with determined poise and concentration, like a man who had recently slept through a chance to make a big score against a tough opposition. His batting was all timing and placement, unlike his pre-game routines, and the bowlers had no chances. Warming to the task, Ross ignored his tweaked calf and pushed hard for 2s and 3s. Mr Burke was also hitting his straps.

Mark Ferris came and went. Kamran came, first with pace, then with spin, and then he too went. YCAC ground fielding deprived Ross of several boundaries, but it was not enough to stop the two Victorians from cantering towards victory. With the score in the 90s and the spinners on, Ross digressed to the ungainly with a IPL-esque slog. "Can't have an innings without one cowie," was his logic.

Mr Burke was having none of it, and timed a graceful straight drive to the long boundary to take us over the line in the 24th over.

With the quick finish, a Ten-10 SlogFest (copyright pending) was convened. Stumps smashed, balls bashed, wickets fell, crowds cheered. The very future of cricket. Ignore the ugliness of the shots, Wombats inability to find the middle and hence the boundary. The crowd was not shouting, "Please may we see an elegant cover drive?" NO, they all shouted MAXIMUM!! And were disappointed. Not half as disappointed as Pup though, after he dispatched a pie up, up and away over the fence again for a six-and-out, hold the 6 runs.

We set YCAC 52 from their allotted Ten-10 overs. Allen stunned the cricket world with a two-hop bowled first ball. Balls were SMASHED. Wickets were WICKETED. Maximums were MAXED. With 46 on the board, G-spot took two in TWO balls, more wickets FELL, Morty took a stunning parry and dive two grabs at the CHERRY catch of the MILLENIUM. It was all happening, the crowd was electric, the cheer-leaders indecent, media frenzy, hyperbole overdrive......but then YCAC got the last runs with 2 wickets in HAND.

With the J1C season just days away, fielding still shows signs of rustiness. Several fellas could've done with a hit today, but then again, some fellas could have turned up to training more often. We will welcome back the Swan River Colony gents next week, but come up against old foes Millenium, many of whom will be peaking as the World Cricket League tournament is just 2 weeks away. We will need to be switched on.

Thanks to the hosts YCAC, and Damo, Allen and Mark for having a run.

DINOSAUR HEROICS CAN'T AVOID NARROW DEFEAT TO JAPAN (20/04/2008)
by Mark Ainslie

JAPAN 6/252 (Chino 79, Ahmed 27, Beath 25, Giles-Jones 24*, Ainslie 2/47, Kelly 2/47) defeated TOKYO WOMBATS (Shearer 109*, Jones 37, Turner 23)

A lesson in cricket professionalism was handed to the Wombats, falling 20 runs short of Japan's total, despite heroics from Jarrad 'Dinosaur' Shearer – scoring another ton for the club, which was towards the end a true monument to the human struggle, after keeping for 50 overs, then batting for all 50.

Heavy rain late in the week caused concern for the game to be a no-go, but the ground was given the all clear for our 50 over practice match versus the Japan national team down at Fuji #2.

The meeting time was a little earlier than usual, and too early for Ross who became the first shink casualty of the year. A worse punishment is being thought up by the management team after its first AWOL.

Not a first gamer for the club, but GT was initiated to the world of the Wombats' van trip – it was somewhat unfortunate for him as it's going to be tough beating what was one of the best ever.

The outfield was still quite muddy from the previous rain, but safe to play on, and play started on time with Japan batting first.

The Wombats opened up with Curly and Morty who both bowled tight and accurately to have openers Beathy and Chino under pressure early. Pup was brought on for Morty and picked up his bunny Beath straight away. Amigo joined Chino, who put together an 82 run partnership for the second wicket in good time. Killer was brought on to create a wicket, and that he did, taking Chino's wicket with a rank, leg side full toss, Junmei taking a great catch on the boundary.

Small, but valuable partnerships, and a gradual acceleration of runs, helped along by poor fielding on a difficult outfield, and a few dropped catches, saw Japan score 100 runs in the last 13 overs, ending their innings at 5/252. The rules of the 50 over game came into dispute near the end after a front foot no ball from Pup saw a free hit offered to the batsman, Pat, who was consequently bowled, but scampered through for a single!

Our innings didn't get off to a great start when another Dino-related run out saw Junmei's innings cut short. GT came in and the two put on a good partnership, with GT showing his cricketing prowess with some glorious strokes and one gorgeous flick over square leg for six, reminiscent of Doc (Bjorn) circa 2007. A rush of blood saw him castled for 23. Another rush of blood saw Rhino go quickly, which brought experienced campaigner Chuck to the crease. At 3/185 in the 42nd over, both Chuck and Dino were looking good, and 10 an over with 7 wickets in hand seemed attainable.

A comical, but unfortunate incident with Chuck telling Dino to play straight, only to have him follow that advice, the ball hitting the bowler's hand, deflecting onto the stumps, with Chuck short of his ground backing up. Pup came, hit a trademark cow corner six, then was caught. Morty joined Dino for the last five, but with accurate death bowling from Pat and Munir, saw the Wommies fall 20 runs short. Dino, playing for red ink at the end, finished with 109.

It's always unfortunate to lose, especially when victory is within our grasp, but the professionalism, particularly fielding, of the Japanese team made the difference. Hopefully we all take something away from this game to put us in better preparation for defending our attempt at our third J1C premiership in a row.

Without any drunken wrestling on the way home this time, a safe journey was enjoyed by all – no fatalities, no injuries even. Highlights began as we hit the Tomei, with Chuck, Dino and Rich copping most of the sculls. The Wommies may also have a new supporter base after one of our stops for bladder release, we just have to learn how to play soccer! Respect must go to Morty for a great off-field performance.

Thanks go to Japan national team coach Rich Laidler and the Japanese national team boys for a good day of hard fought, high quality cricket, and we wish them all the best in the 2008 ICC World Cricket League Division 5 tournament starting next month.

CM 6S: "BEST TOUR YET" DESPITE FINAL CHOKE!!
by Ian Gason

What they lacked in numbers and experience, they made up in intensity, as this year's Tokyo Wombats Chiang Mai Sixes Tour has been given a 'best yet" rating by the skipper and veteran, Marty Charlton. Missing stalwarts and never-say-die units like Andy Hall and Luke Ray didn't dent the enthusiasm of the tourists. In fact it may well have spurred them on.

With the excuse basket at Wombat HQ full, helped was called in. Sandy at the Irish Pub sorted us out with Robin, aka Hot Lips, but at 18 years of age, how would he handle the after hours? Marty found out quick that this young lad would match it with the best of 'em, and would cover the gruelling week. Ravindra Pushpakamara may have dismissed Sachin Tendulkar 3 times, been called nasty names by Glenn McGrath, won a World Cup, but how would he handle life as a Wombat? By drinking more than ever before, staying out at Bubbles and Spiceys and crawling to the games (and through them sometimes!) is how.

Chris Mortimer, virgin, 6'15" of Julio, took to Chiang Mai like a duck to water. After some initial hesitation, Morty was soon playing his shots with the confidence of a veteran, taking opportunities to turn 1s into 2s, getting the occassional comparison to Viv Richards.

Reggie, Marty and Curly, 11 tours between them, knew they had to lead from the front, give a little bit extra, and drive this tour for 8 tough days. So well had the team gelled, that on Sunday night, on the eve of two tough games, the boys declined a chance to have Gilchrist's former NSW opening partner as a team-mate. "Team balance" was the official reason, though some may suspect that tanking had more to do with it! Sandy was unimpressed, shaking his head, "You've been pestering me for TWO MONTHS, Curly!?!"

When we hit town Saturday arvo, Marty was camped in the Porn Ping bar with the Awali boys, where dwarves were the subject of much ridicule. Marty's monster drinking sesh was 6 hours old, and 14 hours later as the sun rose Marty was speeding into the 7-11 for yet more booze! Team bonding takes priority over sleep. So wake up Morty, too!

So we played some cricket. Beaten with dignity by TC's Warathais, and beaten with the ugly stick by Bangladesh's Cricketeers. Marty was failing admirably behind the stumps, persisting with the much discredited Wall Technique. Most of our runs came from the booming blade of Pushy. His bowling was a bit lacksidasical, and Reggie was surprised to know he payed his 23 Tests as a bowler. "You wouldn't have thought so after today's effort" surely a Quote of the Year?

Pride was restored with a win over the Drifters, and our Big Plan was in place: The Bowl.

Unfortunately Amal Silva hadn't read The Big Plan and smeared us all over Chiang Mai, and setting us with a do-or-die clash with Thai Thevada. Deja vu all over again?

Luckily for Curly Bank was at a temple ceremony so it was left to Orf to make him look silly, sending him down-town twice, once onto the roof. Play of The Day however had earlier been won by a tired Pushy, who admitted he didn't see his first ball. Walking a single to cow-corner, Pushy was run out by a ball which trickled the last ten metres along the ground! Fortunately he had already helped set up a score of 70, which was too much for the Thais. A very relieved Hot Lips secured his first tour wicket, LBW, when the Thai opener backed away to POINT!

An 8:30 clash with the men in pink, The Armadillos, was on, and now it was time for the skipper to get tough: 4am curfew!! After adding a new bar to our circuit, Tuskers (good grill!) before making the usual cow corner et al rounds, team bonding headed to Spiceys, how unusual. Plenty of action on the floor, much bump and grind, as well as a wayward Irishstani, Makki, doing his tequila best to sabotage our plans. The Monster had worked himself into a state, had his dancing shoes on, changed them for the wobbly boot, then slipped on the beer goggles before slipping away just inside the curfew. (see pics for his pre-game state.)

Reggie, The Quiet Achiever, opened up with Pushy and the pair got us off well. A stumble in the middle as Curly and Robin collected ducks #1 and #2 for the tour. Marty and Morty took us to 76. Armadillos made a good chase of it, with the game still alive til the last ball. Morty made a choice far better than Spiceys, digging in a short ball and securing a final berth for the Wommies.

Visitors encamped, numbers in the tent swelled, and players took advantage of the few hours break to get some R&R. One Wombat even took a leaf out of Imran Khan's book. There was a bit of a panic when we realised we were 20 mins ahead of schedule. A quick head count, burgers abandoned and pads on! Pushy got us going in his usual rollicking style, with Morty coaxing the extra running out of him. Entering the final over, Curly and Reggie were aiming 70+, but maybe the pre-game routine paid off, as Amal Silva saw his last 3 balls go 664! First six was carried over right in front of the vigilant commentator, but the next one sailed fair over the roofs!

82, a very good total.

Marty made a big request of young Robin, bowl to Sixes veteran and Test legend, Amal Silva. The gamble didn't pay off. Robin threw down a few too many wides and 42 off the over put the Silva Stars in the box seat. Tight overs followed, and Robin did extract a wee slice of revenge, catching Amal in the deep. Wombats took the game into the final over, but ant-climatically, the game was sealed by a Monster wide.

The camp was shattered, but only briefly. There was one last night of partying to worry about. Robin took some cheering up, but would we swap a great week with mates for a win in the final? Never!

Big thanks to the tournament committee and sponsors. Pushy, mate, it was an honour to have you as a team-mate, but remember to ground your bat! Hope you can make 2009. Robin, great effort. You held your own against the likes of Marty- no mean feat! Don't let one over spoil your memories of a U-beaut week. Be seeing you in Tokyo when you get those studies done.

51 weeks to 2009........

TOYAMA TROUNCE WOBBLY WOMBATS
by Courtney Jones

Mohammad Ali vs "Smoking Joe" Frazier, Mundine vs Green, McGrath vs Lara, West Coast Eagles vs Sydney Swans, Jaywinkle C.C. under 11's vs Doubleview C.C. under 11's and........sorry Morty, I don't know any soccer rivals.....

Epic sporting matchups that have pitted the very best, at their very best in deciding the number 1 in their respective disciplines. Sunday March 30th, 2008 promised another massive clash as the two best performed cricket teams in Japan of the last few years were due to engage at the Ageo ground.

This mouthwatering blockbuster was dead in the water at 9pm the night before the game as the Giants skipper informed me that his team was pulling out of the contest due to battle fatigue. Apparently they had brutalised opponents on the two previous Sundays and after months of notice and planning were unable to prioritize their efforts and get themselves up for a huge game against the Wombats. Perhaps lucky for us, as our replacement opponent Toyama C.C. proved too good in beating the Wombats by 3 wickets.

The Wombats unveiled three new faces in Grant Turner, Japan National team candidate, Kibayashi and Japan under 15's star wicket keeper Takumi. The Wombats won the toss and decided to bat, but soon lost Burkey. Ryan promoted to #3 after getting in the skip's ear about batting up the order joined Dino and the pair scored freely. Dino in particular was uncharacteristically aggressive but one quick single too many found him just short of the crease for 22.

First gamer GT came in at #4 and played aggressively immediately. Luckily for GT on 0, a crunching drive was dropped by the bowler and from then on his drives all whistled through the field and often to the boundary. Wombats 2-91 after 17 at drinks and with Ryan and GT sharing a 52 run stand, a lovely platform had been laid.

We squandered this opportunity though as GT, Kibayashi, Ryan and Chuck all fell within 8 overs. Pup and Laidler were able to re-group with some counter attacking blows and Laidler's straight 6 thumped back over the bowlers head was a highlight. This 55 run partnership enabled us to build a competitive total, but following their dismissals, only 14 runs came off the last 4 overs to leave the Wombats to defend 186 off 35 overs. Also, if I was to be totally up front, Toyama's poor fielding probably gifted us 30 runs which was a bonus.

Not a bad score on a flix pitch and with our bowling and fielding depth I thought it would be enough. Toyama's batting plan was simple and none too subtle as four boundaries were slashed in the first 10 balls of their innings. Pup requested a mid-on after two balls went to the boundary through the vacant area, so second slip comes out to fill it. Next ball edged to the vacant second slip. Ahhh...! I knew I shouldn't have moved! But in all honesty it was bloody cold and the catch still had to be taken! I go back to second slip and the batsman lines up the vacant mid on again, but this time he can't get down on a searing Pup yorker and the Wombats were on our way. Not quite to plan but you'll take it.

Toyama played a game that was best summed up by #3 Razaq. Dino tells Chuck "Put in a cow corner because he's only got one shot!" but I resist, rather waiting for him to play the shot first. Well Razaq waited one ball before sending it 30 meters over the boundary. I respond to Dino with "a cow corner wouldn't have mattered mate!". Next ball he's bowled by GT.

Exhilarating and frustrating is the only way to describe these blokes when they get going with the bat! I liked Laids simple sledge to Zahid after a huge agricultural swing and miss at one of his deliveries "Awww....play cricket will ya!" Rizwan, Zahid and Hanif all batted with the same abandon and at one stage Toyama were 4/86 off 13 overs. With that kind of strike rate we had to bowl them out to win, however Zahid shattered that thought with some of the hardest hitting I've ever witnessed. His 51 came off 40 balls and all Wombats bowlers suffered at his blade at some stage.

Rain started to come down which made bowling difficult but we stuck at it and all respect to the bowlers who came back in their second spells and made the last 20 runs very difficult for Toyama. Alex's 2/22 off 6 and Laidlers 1/26 off 7 were the standout figures as Toyama won with 6 overs and 3 wickets in hand.

We quickly dealt out the Hardys' awards as the rain and cold were setting in. GT on debut took the Wombats best for the double of 33 runs and 2/28. Toyama's best went to the awesome power hitting of Zahid and play of the day went to Mudassar for the direct hit run out of Jarrad.

A very special thanks must go to Toyama not only for making the five hour drive to play us, but also for supplying a wonderful Pakistani chicken pulao lunch for all at no charge. Also, Takumi who played his first game with the men and aquitted himself very well behind the stumps and with the bat. Japan's Chino, watch out!

We hit Watami at Ageo station for food, beers and highlights. Jarrad attracted most recognition with his lowlight, non diving fielding attempt. Poor planning saw us get on the train at Ageo with no travellers but, we still had fun daring Dino to run off the train at the stops to go buy drinks.

Even though we didn't come away with a win I thought we gained a lot from the game. Ryan showed he's good enough to bat at the top of the order and is going to put pressure on the top 5 to consistently produce scores. Grant demonstrated his all round abilities and worth, while Alex's control and accuracy returned to the levels we know he's capable of. Our fielding was again very good but from an overall perspective, how well prepared are we as individuals and as a team for the beginning of the J1C season in May?

WOMBATS FIGHT HARD AND BRING HOME FIRST WIN OF 2008
by Courtney Jones

Ohh...the pain! Glad I've got Monday off because I feel like I've barely slept, played cricket, drunk a bottle of jinro and spent a couple of hours brawling. Sunday March 23rd in a nutshell!

The Tokyo Wombats 2008 campaign started with a bang by convincingly disposing of the Shizuoka Kytes by 8 wickets and then each other under sunny then cloudy skies at the Shizuoka ground. On board the van was debutant Rich Laidler, second gamers Gav Beath (hereonin refered to as Jesse), Masa "Pidge" Itou plus the usual array of marsupial cricketers.

The van trip started blandly but Laids announced his presence by diving onto a sleeping Chuck saying "If I can't sleep then you can't either!" which in hind sight was a preview of the return legs more forceful exertions. Also, Al Koolhof's straight forwardness in explaining his lifelong 6-fa also provided a point of conversation. Such unbridled honesty is typical on Wombats van trips but it usually takes alot more than a blueberry yoghurt drink.

At the ground it was warm and sunny and a bat first up would be terrific. Unfortunately Neil won the toss and asked the Wombats to field. Ian and Luke opened up under a gorgeous blue skied, warm day, but it was the Kytes who got off to the bright start. Sharpe looked intent on belting Luke out of the attack with a couple of slogs.

Thankfully, Ian soon induced an edge out of Sharpy to Laidler at first slip who pushed the ball up goalie style, fell back onto his butt and stuck out his right hand to pluck a marvelous catch lying on his back. Harvey joined Phillips and the runrate slowed right down as Luke and Pidgeon continually found the right lengths. Luke got the dangerous Harvey with the second last ball of his 8th over when another perfect length ball caught a fine edge for Dino to do the rest. Kytes 2/60 at drinks.

Phillips' stubborn resistance ended immediately after the break by Alex with a ball so immaculate that it produced life and then bowled him. Phillps must be an English teacher because when walking back to his team mates after his dimissal he proclaimed that the delivery "conceived him!" After all it was Easter Sunday!

The play of the day brought down the next Kyte wicket as Laids ambled at top pace to an outside edge, picked up the ball and then threw down the non strikers stumps 30 meters away with the batsman well short. "I can't run anymore but I've still got an arm!" proclaimed the thrower as the boys swarmed around him.

Runs and wickets now came regularly with Shax leading the way. The Kytes had few answers to his flight and control and they twice spooned catches to Wombats. Rhino did his best to make his catch look easy from a starting point of extremely easy. Arthur Harrison had his off stump knocked back by Shax in his last game for Shizuoka before relocating to Osaka for his studies in economics and Kansai chicks. His Dad at #11 spanked a few around to finish 9 n.o. and the Kytes were bowled out for 141 with Shax's 3/24 and Alex's 2/33 doing most damage. Special mention to Pidge who was unlucky to finish with 0/17 off 8.

Needing 142 for victory doesn't usually present many problems but straight away it was obvious that Arbab and Sharpe were bowling well so maybe this chase was going to be no pushover. Morty unfortunately top edged Arbabs worst ball of the day to present mid-off with an easy catch for a well constructed 0. He didn't look forlorn at all walking off and I suspect the anticipation of the joys of Thailand and Chiang Mai in under a weeks time were the reason for that.

Chuck joined Jesse at 1-10 and some tight bowling restricted them to 1-20 of 10 overs with Curly's sledge "Are ya bats painted on!?" summing up scoring rate. A bowling change was all that was required though, with Harveys first 6 deliveries all wide on his way to a 14 ball over. Jesse started demonstarting why he opens the batting for Japan with placement and timing through the legside and pure power with a slog over cow corner and into the dry river bed. He looked set for a very big score until Arbab got him LBW for 62 including 11x 4s and 1x 6. Laidler looked confident at #4 playing the cut expertly and when Chuck finally hit out the total was passed in the 26th over.

The capatins agreed pre-game to bat the full 40 overs for practise sake so Dino, Ryan and Ian went out for some valuable time in the middle. Dino's swipe off Harvey for the maximum was as impressive as it was massive. The intensity petered out and the cloud and wind rolled in so post game the Hardy's awards were quickly handed out. Arbab for his wonderful spell of 8-5-2-9. Shax's 3/24 was the Wombats best and Laidlers direct hit runout took play of the day.

The slab was consumed, song sung with Curly leading the chorus from Dinos shoulders and finally off to the soba shop. The chow hit the spot and highlights brought smiles all round. Coach Morty highlighting his teams fine fielding performance brought a mix of reactions raining down on him.

Bottles of whisky, jinro, chewies and beers filled the esky for the return to Tokyo and it wasn't long before the back of the van was reduced to a mass wrestling bout. Each person took on every other person in the van numerous times with Jesse in particular looking to maim as many Wombats as he could before the J1C starts. The bloody Tomei had a huge traffic jam so for hours spot fires continued to break out in the van and the injury count mounted.

What happened Wombats!? We decided at the AGM to tone things down on van trips this year. It seems we still have some work to do before the J1C season begins or is it a case of......If it ain't broke......!

See ya's this Sunday for what promises to be an equally eventful day of cricket vs the Giants.