In a charming field of green and gold,
Old Basing 2nd XI and Crown Taverners were bold.
Their captains, Thomas Marsh and Richard Frost,
Took charge, and the match was engrossed.

Richard Frost, with fortune's touch so rare,
Miraculously won the toss with flair.
Choosing to bat, his team's hopes soared high,
Under the bright, sunny sky.

Steven "Cymbals" Higginbotham, a warrior strong,
Stepped up with spirit, ready to belong.
But Darsh Wadhawan's delivery was sly,
The stumps rattled, and Cymbals had to say goodbye.

Next, Rob "Gramps" Calvert took his stance,
Facing Pratik Surve's challenging dance.
A battle ensued, a struggle in time,
Until Robert Selwyn's catch, oh so prime!

Richard Frost, the skipper brave and wise,
Wielded his bat, aiming for the skies.
But Darsh Wadhawan's crafty spin,
Brought the captain's innings to a chagrin.

Oh, poor Omraj Gurung, a moment so brief,
LBW by Darsh, causing some grief.
The wickets tumbled, like leaves in the wind,
And Rob "Gramps" Calvert, his hopes thinned.

But then emerged Luke "Moby" Byne,
His batting prowess, a sight so fine.
He struck the ball, with power and grace,
Boundaries flowed, as if in a race.

Nishal Rijal, alas, couldn't find his stride,
Pratik Surve's delivery dismissed his pride.
Jai Edwards entered, with determined might,
Yet Thomas Marsh's catch dimmed his light.

George "Sight-screen" Hayhoe, a name renowned,
Showed his skills, the boundary he found.
With confident strokes, he made his mark,
But Gaurav Wadhawan's spin hit the bullseye, oh hark!

Ben "Duffman" Duffy-Oh-Yeah! took his chance,
But Gaurav's delivery left him in a trance.
LBW it was, a dismissal cruel,
The Taverners' hopes, they began to fuel.

"Graeme" Hikmat Magar, a fleeting affair,
Caught by Bikram Gurung, oh, life's unfair.
Andy Dee stood strong, till the very end,
A flick of the bat, his runs he would send.

With extras and runs, they battled on,
The Taverners fought till the light was gone.
The final total, 96 it stood,
In 26.2 overs, their innings they would conclude.

Pratik Surve, Darsh Wadhawan, a bowling duet,
Their skill and precision, a cricketing asset.
Aidan Ward contributed, a wicket he'd claim,
While Gaurav Wadhawan's magic brought fortune and fame.

Chandra Shekhar bowled, but no wickets to his name,
Yet his presence on the field remained the same.
The fielders, in unity, their effort prevailed,
One extra run and no non-bowler wickets unveiled.

So ended the innings, a tale of delight,
In Dr. Seuss's world, colorful and bright.
The match had begun, with a toss so rare,
And Crown Taverners' bat, oh, what a flair!

In a land of cricket and dreams,
Crown Taverners faced a challenging stream.
Kannan Kumara, a batsman so bright,
Retired not out, his runs taking flight.

Darsh Wadhawan, eager to shine,
But caught by George Hayhoe, a moment so fine.
Bikram Gurung, alas, couldn't stay,
George struck again, oh, what a dismay.

Robert Selwyn stepped up with might,
A boundary and a six, a glorious sight.
But George Hayhoe's magic, like a spell,
Claimed his wicket, bidding him farewell.

Thomas Marsh, steady and true,
Determined to carry his team through.
Joe Belcher added runs with might,
But a run-out by Omraj Gurung brought a blight.

Dan Jackson, in a flurry of action,
Smashed boundaries, evoking a reaction.
Pratik Surve, Aidan Ward, and Chandra Shekhar,
They did not bat, but their presence was there.

Gaurav Wadhawan, a name of repute,
His willow silent, but no dispute.
The match progressed, a battle intense,
As the Taverners faced the bowlers' defense.

Ben "Duff-man" Duffy-Oh-Yeah! in his stride,
Bowled with fervor, skill on his side.
But the runs flowed, the score took flight,
Crown Taverners fought with all their might.

George "Sight-screen" Hayhoe, the man of the hour,
With his bowling prowess, he displayed power.
Three wickets he claimed, a feat so grand,
And Richard Frost's catch, oh, how it did expand!

Captain Richard Frost, with a gleam in his eye,
A catch, so incredible, reaching the sky.
Off George Hayhoe's bowling, it soared high,
A moment of brilliance, applause did occupy.

"Graeme" Hikmat Magar, with ball in hand,
Struggled to break the opposing band.
Andy Dee, steady and true,
But victory seemed out of their view.

The Taverners fought, but fate took its toll,
As the target slipped, like a rabbit in a hole.
Defeat was their destiny, a bitter pill,
But their spirits remained high, a resilient will.

In the land of cricket, battles are won and lost,
And Crown Taverners paid a hefty cost.
But in their hearts, they held the spirit of the game,
Ready to rise again, to reclaim their fame.

In the realm of cricket, on that fateful day,
Crown Taverners gathered, ready to play.
Though the scorecard reflects a loss, it's true,
Let's uncover the positives and share them with you.

The sun shone bright as the coin was tossed,
Crown Taverners won it, a moment not lost.
Captain Frost, with a catch, oh so fine,
Off George "Sight-screen" Hayhoe's bowling, it did shine!

Though the scorecard may tell a tale of defeat,
Crown Taverners won't accept their retreat.
For in their hearts, the fire still burns,
They'll learn from this match and eagerly yearn.

The future holds promise, they'll rise once again,
With renewed vigor and a determined refrain.
In field and in bat, they'll leave no stone unturned,
With positive energy, they'll show what they've learned.

So let's applaud Crown Taverners, so bright,
For the joy they brought and the valiant fight.
Onward they march, with heads held high,
A team that won't rest, reaching for the sky!