FABULOUS 

 BAKER 

 BOY, 

 BATTERS 

 BLAKENHALL 

Big'us Bags Em' All

 When last year's bowling award winner Gavin Baker took to the field on Saturday 10th May 2003 to play for Springvale 1st XI in their Staffs Clubs Division 2 home match verses Blakenhall, no one would have guessed what was to follow. Opening the bowling, he began a spell that was to go down in the history of Springvale Cricket Club. 

After 3 tight overs which only went for 5 runs, he took 2 wickets in his next and another in his 11th over, all bowled, which at that stage gave him figures of 11-8-10-3. He went on to bowl a few loose deliveries and by his 16th over Skipper Mark Kraushaar had told him that he was considering taking him out of the attack. He then took 3 more wickets in the next 2 overs, bowled, caught by Jay Patel and L.B.W. 2 more in his 20th over, L.B.W. again and Stumped by Lee McHale. 8 wickets for 45 runs would have been a great achievement, but with his father watching from the club house and his team mates backing him Gavin had other ideas.

However at the other end, into the attack came Andy Francis and with the fifth ball of his first over nearly ruined the party. The ball was hit high to mid-off and straight to Jay Patel who misjudged the catch and put it down!

Gavin, now in his 23rd over, collected his 9th wicket of the day bowled from his 4th ball and finished off an unbelievable spell of bowling, by snapping up his, and Blakenhall's 10th wicket on the last ball, bowled again. 

Giving him final figures or 23 overs, 9 maidens 50 runs and 10 wickets !