Anticipation was at an all time high last night, for amongst the Savs and their battered supporters a week of banter that at one stage threatened to get out of hand had filled all with an uneasiness and air of expectation. Before the game the rain was falling and the team had been rocked with the news earlier in the day of a last minute drop out by Grouch, morale had recovered though by gametime as the news filtered through that the hairbear was making his comeback, a late call up from Hollywood would ensure his place. Although this could have been an almighty blow for the team it was softened with the promise of grouch provisioning a round of selected beverages after or before one of the upcoming matches, all was again what it should be.
Hollywood won the toss and the Savs were fielding. After a team meeting earlier it was decided that due to the earlier precipitation, the ball would seem around a little bit, after the first pair left the field we were beginning to wonder if Hollywood had made a call along the same lines as the Australian Captain in the second Ashes test. It was the first pair that struck blow after blow carting most of the bowling to all corners of the rectangle. They put on 39 and the Sav’s were down. Hollywood called the team together for an inspiring speech. Savs, he said, keep your heads up! Remember the prematch plan, remember your training and show me some heart. The team was touched, for we know that in the heart of every Sav there is a sausage. Although at times our opponents may see as batter the sausage we all possess will stand firm in times of trouble. There second and third pair were no match for our bowling. It was during this middle period of the innings that the unthinkable happened, although mixed up with numerous no balls, bowling that hit the top net or bounced five times down the wicket – hairbear starting taking wickets. He displayed all of the energy skills and stiff resolve of a Sav, when the team needed it he was hard and ready for action. Hairbear caught, stumped and ran the opponents out – of course he wasn’t alone Sneeky snuck in a run out and our keeper, Apoo was so quick with his hands the opposition didn’t even have time to blink. It was the last pair though, the final 4 overs where the true Sav resolve shone through at the end of what can only be described as a World XI like collapse, the board flashed 18 when the innings completed. The target was set 44 in 16 overs could the Sav’s do it ?
It is at moments like this that a Sav is tested most, should we go all out or play it safe? Hollywood and Sneeky were first up, 39 to get. The first over went by 13 runs and it was looking good then disaster struck ! At about this time strange noises were heard over the hill, what could it be ? Later we were to find out Charlie was coming the Beers had awoken a sleeping giant. Again though the stiff resolve of Hollywood appeared, he pulled Sneeky in – keep your head down he was heard to say we can do it !
Two overs later, heroes in arms Sneeky and Hollywood 44 not out – we had already equaled our opponents score. Next in was the Pocket Rocket and Apoo. On a night like this a steady partnership was required and that it was we got. These two champions played safe and ensured the game was not released from the Sav’s grip. It was however the quiet before the storm for little did we know that the Fortress and Reebs were about to display their Battered Sav in the most magnificent way imaginable. Bang it was a four ! Bang a six ! The next ball was finessed as this display of raw Sav power and delicate batter coating was at its finest the scoreboard read 47 when they walked out of the cauldron – two magnificent sausages wrapped in batter, surely the Sav’s couldn’t lose now ? A deep breath was drawn, Hairbear arose from his throne and with the Dabber they walked into the arena. The pressure was huge and the Dabber took strike, the opponents in what was a final push had left there best bowlers to the end, these were bowlers that could actually land it on the pitch ! In the background however the clouds had again drifted in for across the path all was not right. The Beers had begun and hostile raid and Charlie was not going to stand back and take it. On the main arena, this field of dreams, Hairbear and Dabber had it all under control minus 18 was the target and at the end of the innings plus 16 would be showing. There was no need for heroics at this stage of the game a steady and cautious approach was all that was required. The crowd cheered as the final balls were bowled, the Savs stood up as one. This game was in the bag a win by 80 runs, a severe defeat by any mans measurement. Although valiant our opponents just couldn’t measure up to the Savs. We shook hands and wished our foes well, see you next time, good job mate, well done all the common courtesies were paid.
Hollywood again gathered the Savs close to himself, to our surprise however we were interrupted by an explosion – war had broken out. On court two the Beers had surrounded Charlie, they wanted blood. The Savs watched on ready to take whatever action was required for although they were tired they new this situation could get messy. The smoke cleared a deadly silence came over the field, it was an ambush and Charlie was surrounded. What would happen next ? Would it be a kiss of the dragon or a quick deathly blow to the neck of one of the Beers, a flying sidekick – the Savs were ready. In the end nothing happened, a truce was formed and peace reigned again.
The Savs departed the arena victors again. The questions remains though will this finally be the year of the Sav ?
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