MONDAY 24TH OCTOBER 2011.
The wind whistled, the autumn dark had set in as Carlton captain Mick Garton came steaming in for the final ball of the season, such was his entusiasm, he went a tumbling and what was suppose to be the last ball, turned out to be a wide, no worries, the stone had been set, the deed had been done and the unbeaten record had been maintained for the second year in a row.
With ever ageing legs, one suspects this wonderful run will come to it's natural conclusion, probably next spring or early next summer but while it lasts, these old timers deserve a merry christmas indeed!
Garton made the first good move of the night by letting vice captain Alan Roome take the toss and Carlton finally won one.
They decided to bat and the naturally agressive White (16) with one dismissal and Last who was some what subdued scored 8, no swash buckling tonight and only one boundary but no dismissal for the flamboyant one.
Flamboyant is not a word that can be used to describe Garton and Roome but with nice pulls and cuts, Garton scored a tidy ten while Roome scratched about without bothering to trouble the scorers but no dismissals was the key for the back together Brearley and Boycott combination.
Rob and John Newton upped the tempo with Newton crashing three maxiums and Rob three boundries and only the silly run out of Rob caused by a suicidal call from Newton blotted the copy book.
Debutant Chris Chappo struggled to make connection at the end but some how held on to his wicket and a score of 91 was always going to put pressure on the super market giants.
Two maidens from Newton and White with a perfect response as Tesco began their reply before the Carlton Captain stepped up to the plate.
3 wickets in 6 balls didn't as much turn the game, it thundered it onto a different planet and despite dropping two skyers in the next over from the unlucky but Excellent Roome, Garton had made his place in folk law.
Not to be outdone there was a maiden for Greg who once again impressed behind the stumps and a second ever hatrick at the ground for Rob. No guessing who got the first but a trip through the archives will tell that story!
Sharky hit one towering 6 for Tesco and both Lee's put in tidy spells for them. Garton with 4-17 from 3 overs and Rob with 4-2 were the pick of the Carlton bowlers but John Newton despite the crazy run out with figures of 1 for nought and the top score of 20 was man of the match. A special mention for the grinning Chris Chappo with 2 for twenty which wasn't at all bad for the colourful one and he can walk away with his head held high.
Umpire Tim Bee tucked away his smile, his arm signals and his note pad for another year and Rob, Last, Garton and Roome all tucked away their knees and battered bodies and we have to say as neutral observers, Garton and Roome's decision not to run any singles was a wise one, Greg is still sprightly and Whitey will run all day, he can still play for many years. As for the others, well Tesco and Reprotec will come back stronger and one will expect to see the excellent "real ale lover" Tim Bee in 2012 and one feels that Garton, Roome and West who was away for this contest still have a little more to give, we will see!
Merry Christmas everyone and love thy neighbour baby!