Pirates of the St Lawrence versus Bengal United
Saturday 14 September 2013
By Norts Porridge

GAME ENDS IN BRAWL, PIRATES SHOW PLUCK IN GRITTY LOSS

Under the grand pavilion at the Candy Fields, most of Bengal United sat fully padded in their batsman gear, ready to come out and play at a moment’s notice. While the fielding Pirates stood by, wondering why all the visitors were sitting in their complete equipment, it suddenly became clear that the “Damned United” weren’t preparing for war.

They were simply cold.

It certainly was a brisk one under the grey shadow of Mont Saint Hilaire, but United didn’t let the cold get to them, as they bashed out warlike runs and wickets for a comprehensive victory over the hosts.

Still, the Pirates played with some fire — despite the shivers.

But it wasn’t a pretty ending.

Opening bowlers Adam “Le Grand” Kelly Morton and Sabrina “The Arsoner” A. did some good containment work on Bengal’s openers, capturing one important wicket off a fine catch at Gully from Robert “The Doctor Is In” Hess.

The real Damned damage came from batsmen Nandan, Mahfuz, and Rakib who tallied 113 runs, which was just about enough to do in our intrepid Pirates.

Though there were inspired spells of bowling, particularly from Xavier “X Marks The Spot” Clements whose 3 wickets and 21 runs off 7 overs was impressive. He was aided by a magnificent Third Man grab from Eddie “Oh So Steady” Palmer.

Angus “Captain Of This Ship” Bell also worked well claiming two plunders off 9 overs with 27 runs scored.

Meanwhile, Laurent “Not Basement” Vaisman took 2 clever wickets in only 2 overs bowled.

Sudeep Badugu/Pratik Joshi (Best Friends Forever) rounded out the Pirate wicket-takers.

Following a well-received hot lunch in the deep freeze, Pirate batsmen tried to make a game of it, with early signs of brilliance shown by Sujith “Call Me Sarge” Varma and Doc Hess. Although Varma was trapped off a malignant slowball by Shezad, The Doctor held on for 61 balls, frustrating the fierce United pacers Mahfuz and Walid.

Badugu and Bell made decent 20s in their innings. And the girls surprised with Julie “Killerjules” Gauthier nearly bashing out double figures, and Arciero taking her first run this season off a crafty glance into the gap at Fine Leg.

But the real firestorm came when Kelly Morton ripped into his innings with a personal-best 29, nearly tripling his previous top score. The Damned United must have seen the threat with AKMs off-putting dance hijinks (including the provocative new Bengal United team dance, “5-Cent, 10-Cent, Quarter, Dollar”).

After considerable sledging going both ways (most uncricket-like in this humble writer’s estimation) Mizan’s catch for the final out resulted in Kelly Morton charging him down at Cover and attacking him in sickening display of ruthless barbarism.

Once the pile-up was sorted out, all players left the field wondering at what had just happened — and at how they could make it happen again.

Pirates of the St Lawrence versus Bengal United
Saturday 14 September 2013
The Candy Fields, Mont-Saint-Hilaire
Match type: 45 overs per side (11 wickets)
Weather conditions: Jumpers, coats and scarves on
Result: Bengal United won by 43 runs

Bengal United Innings

Extras 21 (Byes 2, Leg Byes 0, No Balls 3, Wides 16)
Total 192 for 10 in 45 overs

FoW (1-13, 2-98, 3-98, 4-99, 5-103, 6-108, 7-138, 8-141, 9-143, 10-174, 11-192)

Pirates of the St Lawrence Innings

Extras 27 (Byes 3, Leg Byes 7, No Balls 4, Wides 13)
Total 105 for 9 in 30 overs

FoW (1-5, 2-11, 3-45, 4-76, 5-76, 6-80, 7-117, 8-134, 9-141, 10-142, 11-149)