Goodrich 2nd XI took an understrength 10 man team away to Garrons on Saturday, August 25th, in a key Marches Cricket League title deciding match.

With the odds stacked against the team from the outset, something truly historic was required. Luckily for Goodrich, sports psychologist, Dr Eve Davis, was at hand to point to the work of Dr Jordan Peterson regarding the keys to motivation. Taking these points onboard captain Jack Waldis delivered a Churchillian speech, with an overtone of Mike Bassett’s address when 2-0 down to the Mexicans ahead of the game.

Remembering the captain’s words, 10 man Goodrich entered the field. However, the Garrons side, strengthened by members of their 1st XI, made good progress. Goodrich fought back with early wickets. Rufus Davies took 2 towering catches along with excellent fielding from Jake Jarrett, Chris Beard, and Jack Edmonds.

Critically, Garrons’ best batsman, Jamie Proclaimer, was out of his ground and stumped. However, after Garrons’ umpires concluded he was ‘not out’, Proclaimer continued to score quick and made over 50 runs, despite the sledging from Charlie Exton.

Finally, Davies clean bowled Proclaimer, who had to walk the ‘500 hundred miles’ back to the pavilion. Proclaimer had clearly done enough to put a victory beyond Goodrich. Bowlers Waldis and Dixie could not restrict the Garrons total rising.

Goodrich would now have to attempt to draw the game. Jon Pickering and Davies opened the batting, but the strength of Garrons bowling attack was too much. Goodrich’s batsmen came and went, and the umpires were put under increasing pressure from the Garrons’ constant appealing.

As the game entered the last 2 overs, the sound of ‘Men of Harlech’ could be heard floating over the pitch from the small band of Goodrich players, keeping their batsmen focused.

The last over was a tense affair, with appeal after appeal being waved away as Garrons fielders crowded around batsman Pickering. With one man left to go in, Goodrich had drawn the match to secure a historic promotion, and the title.

Goodrich were jubilant but magnanimous as the Garrons players trudged from the pitch.

Club statistician, Jon Pickering, said that: “It was still mathematically possible for the title not to be Goodrich’s, but this was as likely as Elvis turning up riding a unicorn, or a Garrons umpire giving a stumping.”

Captain Jack Waldis spoke after the game, thanking the opposition for a hard but fair match. He also thanked the Goodrich 2nds squad, particularly the Morgans, who had played keys roles in other matches but had been unavailable due to music industry commitments.

As the champagne corks popped, the Norfolk and Bush Auditors man of the match was awarded to Jon Pickering for carrying his bat through tough innings, but also Exton for the psychological erosion of the opposition.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.