The Pinsterren weekend saw the return of Old MacDonald from his Australian adventure. No rest for the skipper because no sooner had his plane landed than he was watching his son, Sean Walsh aka Chip playing for the U-11’s. As he bravely fought the jetlag and the bags under his eyes became suitcases, the telephone rang and one his “crew” informed him that there was no match ball for Sunday’s game in Rhoon against WCR 2. Cricket without a ball would be a virtual concept that would tax the best of spectators so after eight hours sleep Old Macdonald dragged himself out of bed and made his way to the clubhouse before the rendezvous at the FEBO for the long journey south.

All the troops were gathered, a mixture of the old guard Cuddles, The Gimp, Smurf and Ernesto as well as some new recruits like Frankie, Alex and Usman and some friends from other teams like Mark Hillen, Paul de Jonge and Sajid Raza. After driving through the industrial conglomerate that is Rotterdam Havens we arrived at Rhoon to be greeted by a team that was a mixture of the geriatric and the paediatric. The coin toss could have forced the skipper into making a decision but luckily he lost and WCR elected to bat.

At 60 for no wicket the batting decision seemed to have been vindicated but the skipper was still awake and the grey matter was fully functional. Cuddles was brought on to bowl and Alex Taylor was moved to deep mid-wicket and sure enough Old Macdonald, or should it be King Midas, had struck again. 60 for 1 became 60 for two and then we were treated to some bat crowding for the hat-trick ball, not to be. Cuddles is on an economy drive and a jug of beer may have invoked austerity measures to rival a Greek tragedy. With the openers gone Sajid took out batsman 3, 4, and 5 and the score was 81 for 5. At this point skipper could feel the jetlag creeping up so it was time to bring back the Smurf who took three further wickets and Paul de Jonge who took two wickets and had to endure some vicious umpiring in the last couple of overs. Thanks to a late rally by the umpire, WCR 2 were all out for 120 off 25 overs.

Lunch for the skipper was a mixture of tea and nicotine and as cognitive functions started to fade and Morpheus was descending upon him he just managed to come up with a batting order which despite some recalcitrance from Cuddles, who attempted to sabotage the skipper’s plan both as opener and umpire, the total was reached for the loss of only five wickets after 26 overs. Special mention to Usman, with the bat, he sustained just about every injury possible in his 33 off 42 balls. Also to Sajid, for giving the geriatrics some catching practice. Finally to Smurf and new boy Frankie, for finishing the innings in style.

After skipper had sunk a few beers he headed home chauffeured by the Smurf content in a job well done.

WCR2 120 all out off 25 overs.

ACC5 123 for five off 26 overs.

ACC5 won by 5 wickets.

Old MacDonald aka King Midas aka The Old King aka Skipper.