Match Report - Dandler

Editor's Note: a vital match, mischief aplenty, and a half century of musical history. It's all in tonight's report!

Last week was a disaster. Your reporter injured team lynchpin Allisoni, the girls lost to big rivals Boots, and "Eclipse" was released at the cinema, sparking a frenzy of girlie screaming the likes of which hasn't been seen since that incident in my garden shed with the two spiders. With the season moving into its final month, could Totty manage a late rally and push for glory? More importantly, could we get through the pre-match warm up without any more carnage? And, even more importantly, can someone PLEASE send that Wolf boy a shirt?

On a night best described as "peeing down", we squelched up at the Meadows. First duty - inserting the posts. Now the top field appears to be infested with lumps of concrete and rocks at a 1m depth, so inserting the poles fully proved a challenge. Abbers pogo style was slightly effective, while thumping them with Vicky's lump hammer was ineffective (and begs the question, why does she have one in her car!?). Thank goodness then for the appearance of a device best described as a "cap" for rounders posts, which works by rapidly pumping it up and down on the posts ... the mother-daughter team of Shell and Jane had this down to a fine art. Possibly the highlight of the night, ladies!

With just 11 girls available, including the sick Danielle and Allisoni, bravely soldiering on despite the near-mortal wound inflicted last week (hmmm), resources were thinly stretched. Thankfully the opposition were keen to play, so even though it was coming down like stair rods, the game started on time. After last week's defeat, it was essential we get off to a good start. Unfortunately, the first part of the Totty innings was not good - Michelle was out obstructing the ball (no comment) and managed a turn on the sidelines of which Lord Byron himself would have been proud. Players got themselves out rapidly, until we were down to just three batters - Fluffy, Sue T and the injured Alli.

At this point salvation appeared. Firstly, those three batted admirably and managed to score a good 30 or 40 points before getting out (brilliant work, girls), and even better, Sara's squeeze John (lovely lad) turned up, and offered an umbrella for shelter. Lord Byron had also appeared and was soon to be muttering curses and exhortations in equal measure from under the campsite he'd pitched nearby. I swear he even had a little wood burner under there - I've never seen anyone as "bedded in" on a rounders field! Sue managed a couple of rounders, while Alli and the Fluffster were playing brilliantly. All 3 fell in quick succession, but they'd given the innings a major boost.

Totts took to the field under ever-darkening skies, and it was clear that a slippery ball wasn't helping either side. Dandler started well, as the Totts girls took some time to get used to the conditions. As the innings progressed, we started to turn the screw. A couple of excellent run outs helped, and there were also some good catches from Olivia and the crippled Allisoni. In perhaps the worst conditions of the whole evening, we finally dismissed the visitors, and the ref announced that Totts were leading by around 20 points.

To the second innings then, and once again we lost players quickly. Sara got herself out identically in both innings, edging her very first ball to the backstop (thankfully John was again supplying a fine umbrella, so at least she contributed ...). Meanwhile Danielle was again struggling with her tummy, and didn't last long. When Trish and Vicky also fell quickly, it looked like the first innings hard work may disappear. Thankfully, once again the girls came through. Jane was on form second time round, bashing a rounder or two, and Alli was again holding her own, despite the mutated finger. Michelle also batted well, and we reached a respectable score before the innings ended. Of course the one issue with rounders is you never quite know how you're doing, and so it was imperative we didn't lose focus.

Dandler started the second innings on fire; although our girls were doing exceptionally well to keep them to 1s and 2s, it was proving difficult to get anyone out. Enter Vicky ... two great catches later and we were off and running. Trish and the battered Allisoni also got into the catching action, but slowly the visitors were creeping up towards our score. With 4 batters left and not many points needed, an inspired spell by Jane, with help from Trish at backstop, saw all 4 dismissed in very quick succession.

An anxious and soggy wait ensued, and then it was announced that Totts had won by just 12 points - the exceptional bowling and fielding at the end had proved crucial! Then it was off to celebrate with sandwiches and banter, while Dandler went home, no doubt feeling as disappointed as someone who is promised a night of laser quest, only to have it cruelly snatched away at the vital moment (cheers, Alli).

A fantastic win, and a great game played by both teams in trying circumstances and appalling weather. Ra ra ra!