PAIN IN RAIN AS KOBE TROPHY IS REGAINED

by Ian Gason

TOKYO WOMBATS claimed the Hardys Challenge Trophy 1-0 with a solid batting performance in wet conditions at Kobe. Sunday’s game was rained off.

The solid batting performance was not reflected in the less than solid state of the Wombats themselves. A hard all-nighter in Osaka followed by failed attempts to sleep in the Kobe Cock Forest Suite hardly the best way to tune-up for a crack at the crack KRAC team. After much huffing and puffing on the sidelines, Wombats struggled into the field and set about allowing Kobe to accumulate a competitive score.

Yours truly was particular generous to the hosts, conceeding a mere 67 runs, possibly the worst ever figures by a Wombat. Luke Ray faired a bit better picking up an early wicket. Debutant Richard Laidler took over at the city end – hang on, its a one end ground isn’t it? – and was soon amongst the wickets.

It wasn’t just the batsmen amongst the runs. In the gully, Gavin ripped off a fart that was more solid than gas, and his follow through soiled his jocks, which needed changing at the fall of a wicket.

Wickets in hand and runs on the board, Kobe looked like making a grand total until Rowdy Grant Turner came along and spewed upon their plans. Rowdy finished with 3fa, including the danger man Derrick caught magnificiently by Richard, running in and diving low into the vast shadows cast by the Body Koolhofff.

The Body too was amongst the wickets. He’d have had one more except that I fluffed one. Pat top edged one that went higher than the light towers, and when it became apparent that the keeper wasn’t coming round to get it, the duty fell to me. Burning up open re-entry, the pill careered into my thumb, which two weeks later, still ain’t right.

Derrick’s straight hitting did most of the damage, and the Kobe total was helped along by some cavalier slashing. The tail wagged. One gent even adapting the gay-dab to be played with the bottom of the bat between keeper and first.

It was a good fight back by the Wombats to dismiss Kobe for 198. Two pairs of Skins and several knees and elbows died in the battle.

Rain became heavier, but the game would go on. Jarrad and Gavin opened up and got things going nicely, bettering the run rate for the first 5-10 overs. Kobe’s attack consisted of pace, pace and more pace, which Jarrad used to help the ball to the boundary with pace, pace and more pace. The persistant and enthusiastic Kobe appealling echoed around down-town Kobe, and eventually Gav was LBW. Morty came out, having been blocked the night before, did some blocking of his own. Actually he was hitting the ball very well, but just couldnt find the gaps. After an eternity he got off the mark, and cantered along to a 20-odd, before he departed via a terribly soft caught and bowled off one of Kobe’s few slow bowlers.

The boys from the Swan River Settlement did the rest. Jarrad cover drove for 6, went long over the infield, tickled a few round into the gaps. Chuck spanked a couple round here and there too, answering the calls of Telstra from Pat. The Big Man Jarrad was denied a back to back century, stranded on 98 not out when we passed the Kobe total, 2 wickets down.

Excuse the brevity of this report, for the game has faded in my memory. Anyway, what you really want is Luke Ray’s tour report.

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