"Kerr on Drums"

Written by Captain Hevey
After an away loss the week before to the Roadies it was again back on the road this time down to Ranelagh to face the Rams.
The boys met early at Shark Park, only to have to wait for new assistant coach Paul Johnstone who was running late and had left his playing shirt in Launceston. To make matters worse there were no spares at the clubrooms so Bolts had to nip home and get him the 00 for the day, onya Bolter.

The fun did not stop here for PJ. He decided to join the dynamic duo of Heves (driver) and SOB (navigator) for the journey ignoring the offer of join the Metro boys (Swindells and Kerr). Things seemed to be back on track for PJ until Navigator SOB directed Heves to take a sharp turn on to Sandfly road. The speed of Heves driving and the twisting and turning of Sandfly road were too much for PJ who had turned very pale in the back. Johnstone then proceeded to abuse Sob letting out a barrage of expletives that can not be repeated on this family friendly website.
Ranelagh could not come quick enough for PJ who had asked Heves what the protocol was for throwing up in his car.

On to the cricket…..
It was decided after a quick meeting of the Captains and Umpire Watto that we would start play straight after the one minute silence at 11 (Remembrance day). It was also at this stage that the toss was held, Heves again failing to out toss the opposing captain and the Sharks were sent into the field.
Birthday Boy Kerr struck with the second ball of the day with a straight forward LBW and the Sharks were away. However this was to be the only strike through for the early overs. Time for a double bowling change and it was to be the introduction of the ‘Angry’ Luke Barlow and Marty Elliott (2 for 30). Angry bowled with added pace and lots of glaring looks however it was to be the ever reliable Marty Elliott who gave us the double strike through.

The Rams again looked to steady though Jon Butt before the Sharks decided it was time to unleash the Great Man (Wally) in the over before drinks. Wally needed only one ball to dismiss Butt caught behind of a little tickle. First ball after drinks to the Rams Tim Thorpe saw what the Sharks believed was a nick down leg side only to have Watto deny Wally his hat trick opportunity, but Wally was not finished there collecting the outside edge of another Rams middle order bat in his next over which was caught low down by PJ in the grippers (first catch in the grippers for along time).
The Birthday Banger (4 for 12) was brought back into the attack and ripped through Rams middle and lower order with some very quick and smart bowling.  PJ was then introduced and wrapped up the last wicket. Rams all out 81….

On to what should have been an easy run chase… half an hour later with the score board reading 5 for 40 with Kerr, McDonald, Hevey, Johnstone and Barlow in the sheds it was looking horrific for the sharks and far from easy. The Chemist that cares (who went in at 3) was still sticking in there showing some great fighting spirit especially after taking off for a quick single earlier in the innings only to be flawed by the Rams Marcus Raine (who was very apologetic). Morgan was left with a severe wound across the nose. He set about rebuilding the run chase with SOB both batting some good time before disaster struck again when SOB missed one and was adjudged LBW with the score board now reading 6 for 56.  This brought the Shoulder Tim Polmear to the crease, who batted like he had no idea about the pressure situation he was in, hitting the second ball he faced for a massive 6. The shoulder then creamed another boundary before he was unfortunately bowled soon after and with the big wicket of Marty Elliott the Rams were now favourites at the drinks break with the Sharks still needing a further 12 runs required with only two wickets in hand.

However Steve Morgan the Chemist that cares was still there and joined by Cheeks Swindells gave the Sharks some hope.
Morgs severe gash had clearly got worse, the blood continuing to pour from the strong mans beak but he fought on and with the help of Swindells steered us home to a memorable win.
Perhaps it was the spirit of the day but you just had the feeling that Rams were never going to be able to get the Chemist out, he was a man possessed.
A few cold beers with Rams boys and it was back to Shark Park to watch the B grade boys seal a great day for the Sharks.
The night was only young with most of the boys heading out to celebrate Bands 21st. A night which roughly consisted of the happy birthday jingle,  a hell of a lot of strawpedos’, a few renditions of the club song, a lot of product, some quality dance moves, our new number one ticker holder (Allan the Cab driver) and of course a slapper or 2 ; )
On a side note- PJ forced SOB to sit in the back on the way home and duly dubbed SOB the “Saturday Stooge” for his decision to travel along Sandfly road.