The Buccaneers starting line-up for the match against the Mote included three fathers and sons (Rydon and sons, Leefe and son and Ross Snr and son). Two late withdrawals meant that the Buccaneers would have to take on The Mote with only 9 players.
After a short downpour, sunny skies appeared and the Buccaneers were put into bat. Russell and Ross opened the batting and had put on 14 for the first wicket, when Russell was brilliantly caught one handed at first slip. Leefe was next in and was seeing the ball early from the get go. Some hard running between Leefe and Ross kept the score ticking over and put the Buccaneers in a commanding position at 93 for 1 before Leefe was caught at point of a high full toss. Unfortunately TMO was not available at the Mote and Leefe had to go for a well played 25. Rydon hit the ball cleanly from the start and was looking set for a big score but was undone by a long hop from the off spin of Hood for 14. Okines joined Ross and when lunch was called the Buccaneers were in a good position at 132 for 3.
Shortly after lunch Ross departed LBW for 78 and at 144 the 4, young Alex Rydon strode out to join Okines. After outscoring his father Rydon was run out for 18 and was joined in the pavilion next ball by Okines also run out for 19. Tom Rydon was LBW for 4 and suddenly the Buccaneers found themselves in trouble at 184 for 6 with one wicket left. Ross senior, playing his first match in 10 years, strode out to the wicket to join young Charlie Leefe but unfortunately Leefe was soon undone by a ball which turned sharply and the Buccaneers were all out for 185.
Rob Rydon and Russell toiled hard with the new ball but did not have luck early on. Russell struck twice in quick succession with the score on 69, and deserved his rewards for bowling a tight spell. Day, the overseas pro from Australia strode out to bat and edged the first ball from Rydon, but Leefe at first slip could not hold on to a difficult chance. Day was in no mood to hang around and went after the spin of Okines and Leefe, clearing the ropes on numerous occasions with some big hits. There were to be no further chances for the Buccaneers as White and Day put on a 100 partnership in 11 overs and by the time Alex Rydon came on to bowl it was virtually game over with The Mote requiring 8 to win. Dale obliged with two thunderous fours. The Buccaneers made their way to the sanctuary of the clubhouse and settled around the bar to watch the more gentle hitting in the Murray/Robson mixed doubles Olympic final.
[Scoresheet to follow]