Manoj uses brain to save game

Andy Hook writes...

Pirates bagged a tie from the jaws of defeat following a very average display against Wimbledon Corinthians at the home of cricket; Raynes Park Sport Ground.
Captain Hook set the tone with a disgraceful toss which led to Hook and Wickes opening up on a very green but hard wicket. As everyone in the club knows by now, Captain Hook swiped the first ball for six over square leg followed by a Wickes six over cover in the second over. Early optimism saw Priory race to 29 off 4 overs until Captain Hook guided one straight to gully, the ball after Wickes was dropped.
Wickes was joined by Brewis but was soon joining Hook in the shed having been run out chasing an optimistic two leg byes. Wickes never learns that a fast two is not in his repetoire after a direct hit.
Brewis and Gurbutt continued the good run rate for the llamas before Brewis missed a straight one, quickly followed by Sumair leaving Priory 76-4.
Gurbutt and Haughton were the only contributors in the middle order before a collapse left the priory at 127-9 before Coxon and Thilo added 40 for the last wicket. This left priory with a sub-par but defendable target.
Charlie Lee was given the new ball on his pirates debut for the year and somehow burgled 2 wickets from filth. The umpires soon decided enough was enough and banned him bowling after too many beamers.
Manoj and Sumair continued and kept things tight and took key wickets leaving the priory in a strong position with the oppo at 71- 5. However, a 60 run partnership brought the Corinithians into contention along with poor Priory bowling which contributed 43 extras. The elephant had sadly returned for a second week in a row (we don't mean Darryl Johnson’s girlfriend).
Staring down the barrel, the llamas fought back to leave the game balance to leave Corinithinas 137-6 and then 159-9. Game in the balance with Corinthians needing 8 runs with 1 wicket to go.
Queue Coxon stepping up, with the oppo needing 7 with 5 overs to go, keen to impress his new step children and truly take home the badge of world’s best dad. Sadly his first ball went down leg side for 3 wides, second ball went for four, which left the scores tied.
Coxon stepped up with a half tracker on leg which the no 10 despatches over midwicket.
Everyone except Manoj and Maverick Pete Mitchell gave up on the ball as the batsman celebrated off to their team mates. However the non-striker had decided not to run his single (having watched Kyle Haughton earlier) and was promptly run out to unbelievable scenes typically seen among the Hollywood Blockbusters, yielding 14 points but not the desired 20.